The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Nearly a year after a series of self-inflicted wounds led to a purge of the agency's upper management, a new commissioner and new executive director have launched a series of reforms — and the businesses they regulate say they've seen a big change. Full Story
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The Tea Party group sent out mailers under the name "Texas Ethics Disclosure Board" to attack state Rep. Charlie Geren. Now it's asking a federal judge to shield it from state prosecutors' possible investigations. Full Story
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Gutierrez is running for Texas Senate District 19, a Democratic-leaning San Antonio district that overlaps with his own and is held by a senator who was recently convicted of 11 felonies. Full Story
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As part of our ongoing efforts to engage people directly affected by policy issues, we want to learn more about what measures, if any, young Texans think should be taken to address mass shootings and school safety. Full Story
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Dozens of candidates for elective office across Texas won't face major-party opposition in the fall. Check out our list here. Full Story
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The Houston mayor accused Land Commissioner George P. Bush's agency of "hogging" federal Harvey relief money and associated administrative fees. The land office called Turner's complaints "disingenuous." Full Story
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El Paso Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke was the heavy favorite to win this week's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. So why did he lose some border counties to a relative unknown? Full Story
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If no candidate in a primary election receives a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters go head-to-head in a runoff. Here's everything you need to know about how they work and how to vote. Full Story
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Texas women candidates won or made it to runoffs in more than 50 primary races statewide amid a surge in interest in running for office among women around the country. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's top Tea Party group — Empower Texans — went hard after "squishy" Republicans who bucked the governor or strayed too far from the party orthodoxy. The effort mostly failed. Full Story
Vote counts Tuesday night once again showed how Texas is a red state. Despite an apparent early rush to the polls for Democrats, Republicans ended up casting more ballots in the 2018 primaries. Full Story
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Houston Democrat Sylvia Garcia hasn't yet stepped down from her Texas Senate seat after winning her congressional primary Tuesday, but Houston state Reps. Ana Hernandez and Carol Alvarado have already said they plan to run for it. Full Story
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We livestreamed a special edition of our weekly podcast the day after Tuesday's primaries. Full Story
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller narrowly won the Republican primary Tuesday night, overcoming a challenger who knocked her for her multiple ethical controversies. Full Story
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The Republican from Stephenville — known for his social media bluster and omnipresent cowboy hat — bested his two challengers, avoiding a runoff. Full Story
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With nearly 58 percent of the vote, Bush will avoid a runoff against former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson in the four-candidate GOP field and will face Democrat Miguel Suazo in November. Full Story
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Of the three Republican incumbents targeted by Gov. Greg Abbott in this year's primaries, two won victories Tuesday night. Several other open-seat races are headed to runoffs May 22. Full Story
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Texas Tribune social media manager Bobby Blanchard and multimedia reporter Alana Rocha will interview reporters about election results and take voter questions as the Texas primary results roll in. Full Story
From the state senate primary that's shaping up to be the most expensive in Texas history to the dozen open seats in the Texas House, there are dramatic legislative races across the state worth keeping an eye on as polls close Tuesday. Full Story
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Lori Brown's plans aren't fully formed. But she's determined to push for new laws in Texas that she believes will prevent stabbing sprees like the one that killed her son. Full Story
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