Texas families fear closure of state homes for people with disabilities
Legislators are considering a bill that would create a commission tasked with determining the fate of Texas’ 13 state supported living centers by 2018. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers might let community colleges offer bachelor's degrees
More than a dozen bills have been filed this session that would let more two-year colleges offer four-year degrees. Full Story
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Three things to know as the Texas House kicks off a marathon budget debate
If history is any guide, the Texas House is poised for a long day with its fair share of drama as the chamber takes up a $218 billion budget that has drawn 400 proposed amendments. Full Story
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![With less than a week before lawmakers convene, preparations are underway to welcome members of the state House of Representatives for the 85th session of the Texas Legislature.]()
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Texas senators mull eliminating Top 10 Percent Rule
The Senate Higher Education Committee on Wednesday reviewed the state's automatic college admissions rule, which is popular among minorities but loathed among many suburban students and parents. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on the left, and the University of Texas tower on the right.]()
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Bills aimed at controversial Dallas-Houston bullet train sail out of Senate committee
Five bills approved by the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday would impact or hinder a private company's plans to build a bullet train from Dallas to Houston. Full Story
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![The Japanese Shinkansen is a high-speed trail used by JR Central in Japan. A private company is planning to build a rail line between Dallas and Houston using the same trains.]()
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House committee backs banning most sex offenders from living on college campuses
Most registered sex offenders would be barred from living on college campuses under a bill unanimously approved by a House committee Wednesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Raney, R-College Station, lays out his bill HB 355 in the House Higher Education Committee on March 22, 2017. Raney's bill would forbid registered sex offenders from residing in college dorms to help curb the crime o sexual assaults on Texas college campuses.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Planned Parenthood supporters rally for reproductive health access
The rally comes as Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas and around the country vie for funding and survival now that Republicans control both chambers of Congress, the White House and many state legislatures. Full Story
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![Supporters of Planned Parenthood gather at the the Capitol in Austin on April 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Four things Texans want the Legislature to know about special education
Last month, The Texas Tribune asked parents and educators what they think lawmakers should do before the Legislature adjourns. Here’s what they said. Full Story
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![Kara DaRocha of Houston was among several parents who attended The Texas Tribune's roundtable discussion event on public education at the University of Houston-Downtown. DaRocha urged legislators to reach out to their constituents. “We can’t always go to them, especially if we don’t live in Austin,” DaRocha said. “That’s just not a realistic expectation for many of us parents.”]()
Credit: Spike Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House backs crowdfunding measure to test more rape kits
A bill that would crowdfund money from Texans to deal with a state backlog of thousands of untested rape kits tentatively passed the Texas House Wednesday on a voice vote. Full Story
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![State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, authored a House bill that would allow crowdfunding for rape kit testing in Texas.]()
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Texas Senators to debate bill that would narrow definition of "psychology"
A Texas Senate committee will take up a bill Wednesday that would redefine "psychology" in response to a court ruling that found parts of the state's current definition are unconstitutional. Full Story
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Analysis: A teen’s death — and a failure of policy
The death of a teen on the run from the state's foster care system stirs deeper questions: Why aren't these programs working, and who will be held to account for that? Full Story
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Senate panel approves bill banning bestiality in Texas
"These are serious crimes," said state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, the bill's author. "The state's response should be as well." Full Story
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Postpartum depression bills get hearing before House lawmakers
House Public Health Committee members heard testimony on three measures — House Bill 2466, House Bill 2604 and House Bill 2135 — that would aim to increase access to postpartum depression screenings and treatment for mothers. Full Story
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Senate approves two-year tuition freeze, 1% cap on increases after that
The Texas Senate voted 29-2 to freeze tuition for two years, and then cap tuition increases at 1 percent plus inflation after that. The idea will now go to the House, where leaders are skeptical of tuition freezes. Full Story
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Judge denies request to dismiss some felony charges against Rep. Dawnna Dukes
A Travis County judge denied a request to dismiss four of the 13 felony charges against state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Feb. 15, 2015.]()
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Senate passes court security bill named in honor of Austin judge who was attacked
The Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act of 2017 passed the chamber Tuesday. Full Story
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![District Judge Julie Kocurek, who was severely injured in a 2015 shooting, greets state Rep. Tomas Uresti after she was mentioned in Chief Justice Nathan Hecht's State of the Judiciary speech on Feb. 1, 2017.]()
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House approves bill focused on mental health insurance benefits
Texas House members approved a bill that would prevent health insurance companies from offering mental health benefits differently from medical benefits. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Conversation event with Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, on January 26, 2017]()
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Five ways you can influence Texas lawmakers
If you're not a lobbyist or longtime activist, can your views still be heard at the Capitol? Full Story
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![View of the Texas House floor during the budget debate on House Bill 1 on May 29, 2015.]()
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House budget amendments seek to ignite controversial topics
House lawmakers seek to force debate on controversial topics such as transgender rights, bathroom use, border security and abortion when the state's proposed two-year budget comes up on the House floor on Thursday. Full Story
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House committee considers bill that would allow lottery winners to remain anonymous
On Monday, the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee considered House Bill 59, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. Full Story
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![A Texas Lottery sign in Austin on April 3, 2017.]()
Credit: John Jordan
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