The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas A&M University System officials voted Friday on systemwide guidance for the fall semester. While some face-to-face classes will resume, many will be conducted in a hybrid model, using a combination of online and in-person instruction. Full Story
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Starting Friday, most Texas counties will be able to host in-person spectators for outdoor sporting events in venues. But occupancy will be limited to 25%. Full Story
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The former presidential candidate and the U.S. representative from San Antonio, two of Texas’ most prominent Democrats, have yet to formally endorse the Democratic nominee for president. Full Story
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Although the court sided with state Attorney General Ken Paxton's interpretation of what constitutes a disability, it indicated that it is up to voters to assess their health and determine if they meet the state's definition, which could allow them to vote by mail. Full Story
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Hundreds of debt collection lawsuits have been filed since Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster because of COVID-19 in mid-March, according to the Health Care Research and Policy Team at Johns Hopkins University. Full Story
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Many Texas property owners are sweating potential increases in their taxes, which are based on property values that don't reflect a pandemic, an oil price collapse or a slumping economy. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Tuesday adding a few types of businesses to the list. Full Story
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Live updates: The oilfield service sector accounted for more than 22,000 of the industry’s jobs lost in April, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
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Texas is locked in a legal battle over whether it must expand voting by mail. Full Story
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Until now, the state’s worst-ever monthly unemployment rate was 9.2% in November 1986, as Texas reeled from the last big oil bust. A combination of the coronavirus pandemic and a contracting energy industry are expected to slow Texas' economic recovery. Full Story
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Mask arguments among Texans are occurring everywhere from retail stores to the highest levels of government. Full Story
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Texas had the highest uninsured rate of any state before the outbreak. It's also among a minority of states that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage to people with incomes near or below the poverty line. Full Story
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The partisan differences about voting by mail in Texas — Democrats want to expand it, Republicans believe it's insecure — were in place long before COVID-19 came along. But the pandemic has escalated the debate. Full Story
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Texas received a staggering 417,468 applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last month, a sharp increase from March’s already high number of requests. Full Story
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Travelers coming to Texas from select major states and cities previously had to undergo a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Full Story
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The test kits for residents of state supported living centers have been ordered and are on their way. The agency is “working on a broader plan to get the test kits for staff," a state official said. Full Story
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Some state agencies are exempt from the cuts, including the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Public Safety. Full Story
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In a year when four justices face reelection, the all-Republican high court has made a slate of controversy-generating decisions, including lifting a moratorium on evictions and — for now — limiting voting by mail in this year’s elections. Full Story
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Abbott's recent decisions to reopen the economy despite rising infection rates signal that something has "spooked" the governor, Eckhardt said at a Tribune event. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune is excited to launch a new and revamped version of our Government Salaries Explorer. Full Story
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