Lawmakers to take another look at cutting back free tuition program for veterans' kids
The state is set for another debate about the cost of a program that provides free tuition to children of military veterans. Full Story
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Ted Cruz sends school choice letter to every Republican in Texas Legislature
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to state lawmakers Thursday urging them to make Texas the next state that gives parents taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or religious schools, or educate them at home. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz talks with Sen. John Cornyn and Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, during a TPPF Orientation conference on Jan. 13, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel in Austin.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates urge Texas House panel to amend fetal remains bill by outlawing abortion
What started as a state House committee hearing hearing on a bill that would require Texas hospitals to bury or cremate fetal remains turned into a heated debate over whether the proposal should be amended to abolish abortion completely. Full Story
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![House State Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, at a hearing on the disposal of fetal remains on March 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Senate passes bill on inappropriate teacher-student relationships
Senate Bill 7 would punish school principals and superintendents who fail to report teachers with a history of inappropriate romantic or sexual relationships with students. Full Story
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![Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas poised to spend $2.5 billion on urban highway projects
As budget writers and lawmakers eye billions in voter-approved highway money for other matters, transportation officials are touting high-profile projects that will benefit from those funds. Full Story
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![Cars back up during afternoon weekday traffic on southbound Interstate 45 in Houston north of downtown.]()
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Committee sends Texas "bathroom bill" to full Senate
After 13-plus hours of emotional testimony, largely in opposition, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-1 early Wednesday morning to advance the so-called Texas “bathroom bill" — a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![Transgender activists protest on the Capitol Extension Rotunda prior to a press event opposing passage of SB 6 the bathroom bill on March 7, 2017. Several hundred people have signed up to support and oppose the bill, one of Governor Abbott's emergency items in the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Judge to rule next month on dismissing some charges against Rep. Dawnna Dukes
Citing the statute of limitations, the Austin Democrat seeks to have four of 13 felony counts against her dismissed. Full Story
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![Texas State Representative Dawnna Dukes is honored at the unveiling of the African American Portrait Project at the African American Cultural and heritage Facility in Austin, Texas. June 9, 2014.]()
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It cost $9 million to attract a top engineer to A&M. Was that worth it?
The state spent big to recruit professor Thomas Overbye to Texas A&M University. But lawmakers are questioning whether it should devote millions to make similar hires in the future. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott discusses the Governor's University Research Initiative grant program at the Governor's Mansion during a reception on March 6, 2017. Renowned electrical engineering professor Tom Overbye (third from the right), who recently joined Texas A&M University, is shown standing behind Abbott.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas Legislature giveth — and taketh away
Local governments and school districts battling the Texas Legislature over property taxes have a couple of things in common: They want local control over taxes and a more reliable partner in the state government. Full Story
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![State Rep. and Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty, R-Houston, speaks at a press conference unveiling the school finance bill on March 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
School leaders ask House not to cut state aid program in finance fix
School districts urged House lawmakers on Tuesday not to create winners and losers as they work to revamp the state's public school funding system. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, at a House Education Committee meeting on March 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Lucio's bathroom bill support is the latest example of aisle-crossing by Valley Democrat
At a news conference with senators supporting the so-called bathroom bill, Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. was the lone Democrat. It's not the first time Lucio has bucked his own party to vote with the GOP on controversial issues. Full Story
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![Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, speaking in favor of SB6, the so-called "bathroom bill," on March 6, 2017. Behind him are Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, Republican of North Carolina, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
"Bathroom bill" testimony runs late into Tuesday evening
The legislation, Senate Bill 6, would require transgender individuals to use the multi-stall bathrooms and locker rooms in schools and other government buildings that match their “biological sex," as well as nix some local anti-discrimination laws. Full Story
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![Witnesses signed up for the Senate State Affairs hearing on SB 6 pack the Extension hearing overflow rooms prior to testimony on March 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas "bathroom bill" galvanizes advocates for transgender people
Hundreds of advocates for transgender Texans gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to lobby against the so-called "bathroom bill." Full Story
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![Frank Gonzales (center right), Rachel Gonzales (center) and their daughter Libby attend a rally during Texas Trans Lobby Day at the state Capitol on March 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans expected to revise Texas "bathroom bill"
Texas Republicans are expected to offer a new version of the controversial “bathroom bill” on Tuesday with two significant changes, according to a copy of a committee substitute obtained by The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveil the text of Senate Bill 6, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and universities based on “biological sex,” on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate to vote only on law enforcement-related bills Monday
Only bills related to law enforcement will be considered in the Senate on Monday, the first day of the legislative session when the House and Senate are allowed to pass non-emergency legislation. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in Austin on Jan 9, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A political fishing guide for the 2018 elections in Texas
A small group of Texas Republican officeholders in the Legislature and Congress have something new to worry about in the Donald Trump era: They won their November elections, but Hillary Clinton beat Trump in their districts. Full Story
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![Trump supporters at the Harris County Republican Party headquarters election watch party in Houston on Nov. 8, 2016]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Tensions mount between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Texas House
Less than two months into the session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been hardly masking his irritation with a lower chamber that has shown little appetite for some of his priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pauses while conducting resolutions in the Senate Chamber on Feb. 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
House proposal aims to limit increases in Texas property tax bills
House Ways and Means Chairman Dennis Bonnen filed the Texas House's property tax reform bill, a measure he said will help Texans keep local governments accountable in setting property tax rates. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Texas House proposes using $1.4 billion from state savings account for health and human services
The proposal from state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, would pay down bills coming due for several of the state's health and human services programs. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, answers questions regarding a lean Texas budget with an appearance at a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 23, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Civil asset forfeiture debate pits property rights advocates against Texas law enforcement
Critics say the procedure deprives citizens of property without due process. Law enforcement officials say they are stopping crime. Full Story
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