The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Ron Pigott, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's deputy executive commissioner for procurement and contracting services, is the latest person to leave the agency amid a shake-up over contract mismanagement. Full Story
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Benefits for Texas teachers have been a point of contention between educators and lawmakers for years — and often a hot topic at the Legislature. But where does Texas fall nationally when it comes to teacher pay, health care and retirement benefits? Full Story
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This time, the fight is happening in the courts after attempts to overturn short-term rental ordinances failed in the Legislature. Full Story
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Last month's bombing spree "would have overwhelmed any major city police department," Austin's interim police chief told a congressional committee as he thanked state and federal agencies for their help in tracking down a serial bomber. Full Story
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Heather Griffith Peterson, chief operating officer for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, resigned amid continued criticism from auditors over mismanagement of state contracts. Full Story
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The State Auditor’s Office released a 30-page report on Monday showing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services bungled a contract with Genesis Systems Inc. Full Story
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No Green Party candidate got enough votes in 2016 to guarantee the party a place on the November ballot. As it prepares for its convention, the party isn’t optimistic that it can collect the signatures it needs to be a player in this year’s election. Full Story
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Damage from heavy trucks has battered local roads in and around the state's oil fields, and many counties want the state to help pay for repairs and maintenance. Will lawmakers take action? Full Story
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A study published this week in a medical journal revealed that a new state methodology drastically reduced the count of maternal deaths in Texas for 2012. What will that mean for state policy on maternal mortality? Full Story
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Students across Texas are taking state standardized tests this week. Take some of the tests' most difficult questions to see if you'd pass. Full Story
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Two years after software problems rendered results on the statewide STAAR exam unusable, students taking the test Tuesday reported more technical problems. Full Story
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Students at many Texas colleges struggle to find enough food to eat — and struggle academically as a result. Houston Community College hopes giving them healthy food will change that. Full Story
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Labor groups are praising Democrat Laura Moser's campaign for its collective bargaining agreement. But some argue campaigns are too unpredictable to guarantee workers the benefits that come with unionizing. Full Story
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A handful of elected officials used more than $28 million from their campaign accounts for investments, making it the second largest category of expenditures in the 2018 election cycle. Full Story
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Texas state law says that teachers could lose their teaching certificates and pensions if they go on strike. Full Story
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The chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee said he was "stunned" to learn there is an obscure law that makes it easy for rent-to-own companies to file criminal charges against customers who fall behind on payments. The committee is looking at changing the law after a joint investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet. Full Story
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The conservative House Freedom Caucus called for the Legislature to address "head on" a state statute they say impedes Texans' ability to work and makes it even harder for them to pay back their debt. Full Story
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A federal judge has ruled that Texas violated the federal National Voter Registration Act. The fix he orders could introduce the state's first online voter registration system. Full Story
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Andrew White, a Houston entrepreneur in a Democratic runoff race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott this fall, rolled out a plan to add 1 million jobs by promoting Texas oil and implementing a statewide mass transit system. Full Story
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Our Facebook community This Is Your Texas spent the month of March discussing civic engagement in the Lone Star State. We took some of the group’s questions to three experts on the subject. Full Story
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