The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
A spokesperson said Schwertner "categorically denies any knowledge of the accusations leveled against him" and added that the senator "is eager to cooperate with the University of Texas and hopes to make clear he played no part in the behavior described.” Full Story
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Students can be excused from the requirement if their parents give written permission. But a lawsuit claims the law violates students' free speech rights. Full Story
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The company is "resilient," its new head said Tuesday, and "we have no intention of stopping." Full Story
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Justin Nelson, a Democrat running for attorney general, is positioning himself as the champion of protections for pre-existing conditions, one of the most popular provisions of the landmark health care law. Full Story
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At the first of three U.S. Senate campaign debates, Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke lobbed attack after attack. Here's the history behind some of their claims. Full Story
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Austin ISD is considering a policy change that would limit rental use of its facilities, including to a church that uses one building for Sunday sermons. Full Story
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New data shows the number of migrant children held in privately run shelters in Texas reached a new high in September, even after the Trump administration said it would reunify families separated under the now-paused “zero tolerance” policy. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross, Patrick and Agnes about our first-ever downtown Texas Tribune Festival, Tuesday night's San Antonio special election upset and the latest U.S. Senate polling. Full Story
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In his new job, Hawkins will fight the state’s most important legal battles in the country’s most important courtrooms. Full Story
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While the Texas Senate will remain Republican-dominated, the party could lose its ability to move legislation out of the chamber without the support of any Democrats. Full Story
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With poverty down and incomes up, 2017 proved to be a solid year of economic improvement for Texas even though Texans of color continue to be left behind. Full Story
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A federal judge has ruled for Texas in a long-running challenge to the state's system of electing judges to its two highest courts. Full Story
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Price enters a speaker’s race that already includes Republicans Tan Parker of Flower Mound, Phil King of Weatherford, John Zerwas of Richmond, Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches and Drew Darby of San Angelo, as well as Democrat Eric Johnson of Dallas. Full Story
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Critics say doing so would risk the coverage of tens of millions. Full Story
The ruling comes after a five-day trial in July at which patients, health providers, state agency officials, bioethicists, cemetery directors and religious leaders got on the witness stand. Full Story
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Texas aims to land several high-profile lawsuits before the high court — and hopes that, with Kavanaugh there, it will win them. Full Story
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The Sunset Advisory Commission voted not to adopt the Department of Public Safety's recommendations to close dozens of offices across the state, but recommended a third-party study to determine which agency should issue licenses. Full Story
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State Reps. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, want the Texas Ethics Commission to keep track of which lobbyists have disclosed ties to foreign governments. Full Story
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Austin "crypto-anarchist" Cody Wilson says buyers can name their price for 3D-printed gun blueprints. Full Story
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The toddler from Guatemala died six weeks after leaving an ICE family detention center in Dilley. She had not yet turned two years old. Full Story
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