The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Nearly four years after Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Legislature to pass meaningful ethics reform, he's finally got some of it on his desk. But it's not as sweeping as the watchdogs wanted. Full Story
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State Rep. Mark Keough, a Republican from The Woodlands, announced Wednesday he won't seek a third term in the Legislature. Full Story
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Two days after the end of the legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott held a public ceremony to sign four major child welfare bills into law. Full Story
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Have a bill you want to check up on? Here's how to check the Texas Legislature Online website to see if a bill you were following this session survived. Full Story
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Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state's decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend. Full Story
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The highest-profile contest of the 2017 regular session of the Texas Legislature — between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus — could be headed into overtime. But there are still plenty of winners and losers from lawmakers' 140 days at the Capitol. Full Story
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The appeals court did not explicitly order Gallagher's removal from the case but voiced agreement with Paxton's lawyers that he is "without authority to continue to preside over" it. Full Story
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State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, who drew national attention as part of an incident on the Texas House floor in which he said he reported protesters to ICE, represents one of 10 Republican-held House districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. Full Story
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Oh, you weren't watching all 140 days of the Texas legislative session? We've got you covered — with the best floor fights, the most dramatic moments, the most emotional speeches and, of course, a bill about "masturbatory emissions." Full Story
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How do special sessions work? When does the governor start vetoing bills? Is Texas headed to court? Now that Texas lawmakers have officially ended the 85th legislative session, you've got questions. We've got answers. Full Story
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Here’s a roundup of some of the most memorable moments from the 85th legislative session, along with details on what happened with some of the bills mentioned. Full Story
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The 85th legislative session came to a close Monday amid uncertainty over whether Gov. Greg Abbott would call lawmakers back for overtime. Tensions ran high up until the session's end. Full Story
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On the last day of the regular session of the Texas Legislature, hundreds protested at the Capitol — and Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi called ICE on them. He also nearly came to blows with Democratic colleagues. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a measure to regulate ride-hailing companies, establishing a statewide framework to regulate businesses such as Uber and Lyft. Full Story
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As of Sunday night, lawmakers still had little to show for two assignments Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had given them in the home stretch: property tax reform and a "bathroom bill" that would regulate which restrooms transgender Texans can use. Full Story
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Urban Democrats said they opposed the bill because it didn't allow planning regulations for land around military bases. They feared that could lead to development that interferes with the installations' operations. Full Story
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Politicians who make money off government contracts will have to disclose the work under a bill that got final approval in the Legislature Sunday. Full Story
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Texas legislators cast final votes Sunday evening on a pair of bills overhauling how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services works with and finds homes for abused and neglected children. Full Story
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Both the Texas House and Senate approved two measures to combat sexual assault on college campuses. Full Story
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A conference committee Saturday voted to strip an amendment that would have blocked cities from regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb, all but killing the measure with less than two days left in the legislative session. Full Story
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