The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
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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225,000 Texan service members have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and more than 600 have sacrificed their lives. A monument to be installed Dec. 2 on Texas Capitol grounds will pay tribute to them and their families. Full Story
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As state officials vie for limited federal disaster dollars, housing advocates fear Texans with destroyed homes may fall through a patchwork of government agencies. Full Story
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More than four years after Texas lawmakers approved a law allowing for the drug testing of certain out-of-work Texans applying for unemployment, supporters blame the Obama administration for keeping the program from getting started. Full Story
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A state representative launched an anonymous Facebook page to lobby against a parks bond in his hometown of Fredericksburg. The bond lost by 100 votes. The city's mayor called the campaign "totally wrong." Full Story
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Texas' special education director is facing allegations from her old job in a small Oregon school district that she tried to cover up sexual abuse of a special education student. A civil suit was filed against her last Tuesday. Full Story
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Sexual misconduct accusations are piling up against powerful men across the country. If you live in Texas and have been the subject of workplace sexual harassment, here’s what you can do. Full Story
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Late Thursday, transportation officials released a statement saying they were dropping several toll projects from long-term plans due to public response. Full Story
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