The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The safety net for Texas children has some big holes in it, and most lawmakers want that fixed. But it's going to cost money — a harder sell in a conservative Texas Legislature. Full Story
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In a special edition of the TribCast, Ross talks to University of Texas/Texas Tribune pollsters Jim Henson and Daron Shaw about Donald Trump, marijuana, bathrooms and other poll results. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said more should be done to help sex-trafficking victims and protect vulnerable children in Texas — but that it's not up to him to fund those efforts. Full Story
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In both courthouses and at the Capitol, opponents of a private company’s plans to build a Dallas-Houston bullet train have zeroed on in the firm's claim that it has the authority to take land by condemnation if necessary. Full Story
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Most Texans don't know the state faces a tight budget, but asked what they'd do in a pinch, many of them say they'd dip into the state's savings account, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The performance and favorability ratings in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll hold good news for Gov. Greg Abbott among individuals and for the military and the police among institutions. Full Story
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A private firm's proposed Houston-Dallas bullet train would connect two of America's biggest metropolitan areas. But the 240-mile line would require a lot of country land that many Texans don't want to give up. Full Story
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The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded guidelines issued by former President Obama that directed public schools to accommodate transgender students. Full Story
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“If there was ever a call to action for state officials to get serious about reforming foster care, this was it,” state Rep. Chris Turner said about problems plaguing the child welfare agency. Full Story
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The Texas Senate Education Committee took an early step in the Senate's efforts to eliminate a rule that forces universities to set aside a portion of tuition revenue to fund scholarships for the needy. Full Story
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Texans don't like the standardized tests required of public education students, and they support a number of changes from higher spending to more pre-K classes, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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State officials have done a lot of work to stop sex trafficking in Texas, but the results revealed by the Tribune's Sold Out series are demoralizing. The state's own safety net is part of the pipeline for victims of trafficking. Full Story
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Houston-area Rep. Ron Reynolds, who's been sued by the state after not filing a campaign finance report in a year, says he's started a payment plan. Full Story
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The state’s top leaders have remained silent on whether they'll provide more resources for sex-trafficking victims — or more funding for the crippled child welfare system that’s supposed to protect vulnerable kids. Full Story
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Texans are more open to legalizing marijuana — and not just for medical use — according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Led by self-identified Republicans, Texans favor bans on Syrian refugees, blocking travel from certain countries and outlawing "sanctuary" cities, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Full video of Evan Smith's 2/17 conversation with state Reps. César Blanco, D-El Paso, and Brooks LandgrafTe, R-Odessa, on the campus of Odessa College. Full Story
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The Texas proposal shares elements of both the original North Carolina law as well as the revised version approved last week by the Tar Heel State’s lawmakers. Full Story
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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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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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