The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Across Texas, rural hospitals are facing a difficult decision: Whether to continue delivering babies as the number of births falls and the cost of providing the service rises. Full Story
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After a months-long investigation, the Tribune found that the state's data on maternal mortality is a moving target, that the number of women dying during or after pregnancy is still rising and that the state has missed opportunities to improve women's health programs. Full Story
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After President Donald Trump reportedly questioned why the United States should offer protections to immigrants from "shithole" countries, Democrats and some Republicans from Texas expressed outrage. One Democratic congressman from Houston said he'd push for impeachment. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday asked Attorney General Ken Paxton to look into a December human smuggling case in San Antonio. Patrick wants to know if how the chief of the San Antonio Police Department handled the case violated Texas' immigration enforcement law. Full Story
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Victor Vandergriff advocated for auto dealers while billing the Texas Department of Transportation for Austin trips. The TxDot commissioner says he'll reimburse the state for certain expenses and update his financial disclosure statement. Full Story
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In their focus on the culture of sexual misconduct that regularly goes unchecked at the Capitol, Texas lawmakers are questioning how to check their own power when it comes to investigating reports of harassment and assault. Full Story
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TribTalk is a place for opinions and editorials and even poetry (sometimes, if it’s great) written by people who are usually in the audience instead of on stage. Here are the best columns from this year. Full Story
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Two Tribune reporters who covered Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath discuss the historic storm's financial impact, recovery efforts and what citizens and state officials have learned in the wake of the devastating storm. Full Story
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As city officials sought help overhauling pension funds and fought off lawmakers' attempts to legislate local matters, urban Texans continued having trouble finding affordable places to live. Full Story
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Revisit our investigation of how thousands of "rogue releases" — when industrial polluters spew noxious chemicals into the air during malfunctions and other unplanned incidents, exceeding permit limits — occur in Texas each year. Full Story
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This year, new laws went into effect in Texas that do everything from lowering fees for handgun licenses to requiring seat belts on new school buses. Learn more about the state's newest laws. Full Story
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Texans successfully fought back against tolled highway projects in 2017. Meanwhile, motorists are now forbidden to text while driving and ride-hailing companies emerged from the legislative session with a major victory. Full Story
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Documents and interviews with people who work at the Texas Facilities Commission portray an agency gripped by internal dysfunction, complaints of special treatment and fears that major building initiatives are falling prey to petty squabbles. Full Story
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In the wake of the Great Recession, legislators and employee unions accept bonuses as a cheaper alternative to pay raises, which lock in larger bases for salaries and benefits, including pensions. Full Story
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Bo French says the "Thief Bill Waybourn" Facebook page he created to mock Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn was merely satire. Three law enforcement groups are calling it a "scandalous crime." Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus praised Alabama for rejecting Roy Moore in Tuesday's special election and urged mainstream Texas voters to get involved in 2018 primaries to keep people like Moore out of power. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice often takes heat for the books that are banned in state prisons. But the controversy escalated this week when Israel’s general consul to the Southwestern U.S. questioned why Mein Kampf isn't on the list. Full Story
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Join The Texas Tribune for a symposium on Hurricane Harvey, where lawmakers, reporters and thought-leaders will discuss the deadly storm that struck Texas, and the road to recovery. Full Story
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First elected in 1992, Giddings is vice chairwoman of the powerful House State Affairs Committee and also serves as chairwoman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. Full Story
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Between the federal government, the Red Cross and private charities, billions of dollars will be spent to help Texans rebuild and recover after Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The Tribune is tracking how it's spent. Full Story
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