Hot or not, bill would simplify sales tax on baked goods (video)
A measure advancing in the Texas Legislature would make baked goods, regardless of their temperature when served, exempt from sales tax. Full Story
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Analysis: Think Texas has a weak governor? Not in the month of May
A Texas governor's powers peak at the end of a legislative session, as deadline-haunted legislators begin to fear the threat of a veto from the state's chief executive. Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber on Jan. 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas works to market health program without Planned Parenthood
The Healthy Texas Women Program is the state’s second attempt at reimagining how to provide health services for low-income women without organizations that provide abortions at some of their locations. Full Story
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![A billboard advertising the Healthy Texas Women program in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Tim Park for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House OKs bill to discourage lawsuits over weather-related claims
The Texas House on Thursday tentatively approved a bill that would discourage home and business owners from seeking big payouts from insurance companies after hailstorms, floods and hurricanes — payouts their lawyers say are appropriate. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Texas House passes Dallas pension overhaul with little debate
The bill sailed through the lower chamber with three amendments from a Dallas lawmaker, all of which garnered support from author State Rep. Dan Flynn. Full Story
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Lawsuit over sanctuary cities bill is just a matter of time, opponents say
Texas' attorneys will be forced to defend Senate Bill 4, the controversial "sanctuary cities" bill in court, its opponents say. Full Story
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![A group of students against SB4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, sit in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol as the bill is being debated in the Texas House on April 26, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas House approves Abbott-backed call for convention of states
The Texas House Thursday adopted a resolution calling for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution — one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items this legislative session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land, holds a copy of the U.S. Constitution while on the floor of the Texas House on May 4, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Senate passes bill to eliminate most vehicle safety inspections
The Texas Senate on Thursday gave its blessing to a bill that would eliminate the state’s vehicle safety inspection requirement for most vehicles. It would still apply for commercial vehicles. Full Story
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![Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, shows his copy of the U.S. Constitution during the Open Carry Texas rally Jan. 13, 2017 at the Texas Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
House panel debates state parks funding
A measure that would've guaranteed a set amount of funding to state parks was upturned in 2015. Lawmakers and advocates are hoping similar legislation will stick this session. Full Story
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![Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville, Texas.]()
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Texas lawmakers: State needs to act after black teen's death by police
In the aftermath of a police officer killing 15-year-old Jordan Edwards near Dallas, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus called on state leaders to work with legislators on police interactions and accountability. Full Story
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![State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, speaks at a Texas Legislative Black Caucus news conference on May 4, 2017, imploring state leaders to act on the recent shooting of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs outside Dallas.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Over opposition, latest tort reform bill advancing through Legislature
Trial lawyers and consumer groups say the proposed legislation would tip the balance of power heavily towards already powerful insurance companies. But tort reform advocates say it's needed to crack down on weather-related lawsuit "abuse." Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
What you need to know now about the one bill Texas lawmakers must pass (video)
In less than two minutes, learn the ins and outs of the only bill that Texas lawmakers have to pass — the one that will determine how the state government is funded for the next two years. Full Story
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After police shoot and kill unarmed teen, Texas lawmakers consider next steps
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of an unarmed 15-year-old by police on Saturday night, Democrats in the state Capitol have pointed to relevant bills they say could prevent similar deaths. Full Story
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![15-year-old Mesquite High School freshman Jordan Edwards (left) was shot and killed by Balch Springs police officer Roy Oliver on April 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Mesquite High School yearbook/Facebook -
With Trump on their side, Republicans hopeful for “Buy American” iron and steel bill
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 22-8 for a proposal that would expand a Buy American provision already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board to all state agencies. Full Story
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![Construction in downtown Austin's Warehouse District on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House backs Rainy Day Fund overhaul
The Texas House approved legislation Wednesday that would overhaul the way the state stows away money for tough economic times, advancing a proposal championed by Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Full Story
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"Sanctuary cities" bill clears latest hurdle, heads to Abbott for signature
The Texas Senate on Wednesday voted to send to Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that would ban "sanctuary" jurisdictions in Texas and allow police to inquire about the immigration status of people they lawfully detain. Full Story
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![Protesters block the doors to the State Insurance Building, on the Capitol grounds in Austin, in protest of Senate Bill 4 — known as the "sanctuary cities" bill — on Monday, May 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House gives preliminary approval to Dallas pension overhaul
Six last-minute amendments have yet to be heard on State Rep. Dan Flynn's attempt to prevent Dallas' police and fire retirement system from going bankrupt within 10 years. Full Story
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![Texas House Pensions Committee Chairman Dan Flynn, R-Canton, listens to testimony on April 3, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Texas faith leaders come out against bills targeted at LGBT Texans
A group of faith leaders gathered outside the House chamber on Wednesday to protest legislation they see as discriminatory toward LGBT Texans. Full Story
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![Members of the clergy and others supporting LGBT rights gather outside the Texas House chamber May 3, 2017 to show support for the community affected by "bathroom bill" legislation pending at the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Veterans tuition program would see only minor changes under bill approved by panel
The House Higher Education Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would largely preserve the benefit of free college tuition to veterans or one of their kids. Full Story
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![House Higher Education Committee chair State Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, listens to testimony on several bills intended to curb sexual assaults on Texas college campuses during a hearing March 22, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Texas might require students to pass a U.S. citizenship test. How would you do?
A bill approved by the Texas House on Wednesday would require high school students pass a version of the civics test that immigrants must take when applying for U.S. citizenship. How well would you do? Take our quiz and find out. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva / The Texas Tribune