Analysis: A window into who Texas legislators’ favorite employees are
Lawmakers want to stop deducting dues for union and non-union employee associations from state paychecks — but only for the employees they disagree with. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, the chairwoman of the Senate State Affairs Committee, listened to testimony during a Sept. 14, 2016, committee meeting.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Republican lawmaker wants state funds for death penalty attorneys
Rep. James White's House Bill 1676 would create a state-funded office to represent death-sentenced inmates who can’t afford their own lawyer in their direct appeals to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Full Story
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![State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, speaks on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on April 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
New Harris County policy reignites marijuana decriminalization debate
After Harris County’s move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, Texas lawmakers disagree about whether local jurisdictions have the discretion to enact such policies. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Convention of states resolution is on its way to full Texas Senate
The Senate State Affairs Committee addressed one of Gov. Greg Abbott's four emergency items Thursday: passing a resolution showing the state backs an Article V convention. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State address, flanked by (l.-r.) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, state Sens. Donna Campbell, R-San Antonio, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and House Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Senate State Affairs greenlights bill to end most union payroll deductions
The Senate State Affairs Committee greenlighted a bill to the full Senate Thursday that would end the state’s practice of collecting dues for certain public employee unions through automatic payroll deductions. Full Story
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![Sen. Joan Huffman, chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, listens to testimony on the affirmation of First Amendment liberty protections in Texas from invited witnesses on Feb. 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Stadium exemption in "bathroom bill" won’t be enough, opponents say
An exemption for stadiums and convention centers in Texas' "bathroom bill" may not be enough to avoid economic fallout in the state, opponents warn. Full Story
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![AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home to the Dallas Cowboys, on October 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Senate panel hears testimony on 3 abortion-related bills
Senate Health and Human Services Committee members heard emotional testimony from reproductive rights and anti-abortion advocates on Wednesday over Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 415 and Senate Bill 258. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Schwertner R-Georgetown listens to questions asked by Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin during a February 15, 2017 Senate Committee on Health and Human Services]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House budget proposal would defund Gov. Abbott's pre-K program
The House has proposed cutting all funding for a pre-K grant program that Gov. Greg Abbott has discussed as a priority this legislative session — setting the stage for a battle in the Legislature. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs House Bill 4, which adds funding for pre-kindergarten, into law at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Attorney General first in country to file brief backing Trump travel ban
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an amicus brief Wednesday expressing his support of President Donald Trump's travel ban, effectively becoming the first state attorney general to back the controversial executive order. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: Lawmakers can turn to a bag of tricks to balance state budget
With an official forecast that less money will be available, the next state budget is tight. The finance folks are looking for money to make it balance, but don't fret: They've got plenty of tax-avoiding, budget-balancing tricks in their bags. Full Story
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For Dawnna Dukes, a lukewarm welcome from Travis County delegation
Dukes’ presence in the House is a sensitive topic for her colleagues in the Travis County delegation because of the 12-term Democrat’s legal issues. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, outside the Travis County Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center before being arraigned on Jan. 18, 2017.]()
Credit: Tim Park for The Texas Tribune -
Juvenile justice agency pushes back on claims of ineffectiveness
A Senate Finance committee workgroup has been tasked with exploring ways to improve the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as the agency defends itself from claims of inefficiency. Full Story
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![Detainees are moved from location to location within the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center in Austin, Texas, Monday, June 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott blasts NFL for wading into "bathroom bill" debate
"The NFL needs to concentrate on playing football and get the heck out of politics," Gov. Greg Abbott told conservative radio host Glenn Beck. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and the official NFL logo.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune/The National Football League -
Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys among artists speaking out against Texas bathroom bill
Singers and actors including Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper and Alicia Keys have signed onto an open letter asking Texas lawmakers to reject Senate Bill 6 and other anti-LGBT legislation recently filed at the state legislature. Full Story
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![Singer Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017.]()
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Rainy Day Fund takes center stage at first House budget hearing
Budget writers in the Texas House are considering tapping the state's savings account because they have a lot less money at their discretion this session. Full Story
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![Longtime state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, in the House Chamber on Feb. 9, 2017. Zerwas was named chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee by Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Trump target or not, Burton has carved unorthodox path
Sen. Konni Burton's Senate career has been marked by a willingness to go her own way. Full Story
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![New Texas Sen. Konni Burton, c, stands with other incoming Senators during the swearing-in ceremony at the Texas Capitol Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas House bills lay out some initial plans to overhaul CPS
Texas representatives have filed legislation to start an overhaul of the the state’s Child Protective Services, following a crisis that has left thousands of kids at risk. Full Story
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After Super Bowl, NFL raises prospect of Texas "bathroom bill" impacting future games
An NFL spokesman on Friday said "discriminatory" proposals signed into law would be taken into consideration in awarding future events. Full Story
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![New England Patriots' James White (R) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 5, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Adrees Latif -
Texas parents: Help us understand your school choices
As we examine school choice proposals before the Legislature, The Texas Tribune wants to hear directly from families who would be affected by changing state and national policies. Full Story
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![Students enter a classroom at one of the 11 Houston-area campuses of Yes Prep, a public charter school system serving 7,000 low-income students.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Abbott and the $200 million bully pulpit
Talking — the bully pulpit, as Teddy Roosevelt called it — is one of the biggest powers available to a Texas governor. Greg Abbott is trying to trim the state budget with a speech. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State address, flanked by (l.-r.) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, state Sens. Donna Campbell, R-San Antonio, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and House Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune