The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Gov. Greg Abbott squared the new political reality Tuesday with his long-standing crusade to amend the U.S. Constitution by arguing President-elect Donald Trump "epitomizes exactly why we need a convention of states." Full Story
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Six legislators have filed bills to eliminate sales tax on all female health supplies that are sold for menstrual cycle hygiene. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday named Rolando Pablos, the chairman of the Texas Racing Commission, the next secretary of state, following the resignation of Carlos Cascos. Full Story
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Changes in federal policy during the coming Trump administration could mean big changes in state policy in Texas. But it's probably going to take some time. Full Story
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Texas county jails have seen an almost 60 percent decrease in suicides from last year. Full Story
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In the Roundup: New rules will require burial or cremation of all fetal remains, and Texas is enacting cuts to the Medicaid rates it pays for disabled children's therapy services. Full Story
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New Texas regulations requiring cremation or burial of fetal remains will probably be more expensive than state health officials predict, funeral directors say. Full Story
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The Legislative Budget Board picked 8 percent as the growth rate in the state’s two-year budget, capping how much lawmakers can spend in next year's legislative session. Lawmakers say the state doesn't have enough money to reach that cap. Full Story
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Full video of my conversation with Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, at our 11/29 symposium previewing the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
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The differences in the House and the Senate aren't solely because of the personalities of their leaders. It's also in how those leaders are elected, and whom they answer to. Full Story
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In a wide-ranging interview with the Texas Tribune's Evan Smith, House Speaker Joe Straus shed light on his priorities for state lawmakers. Full Story
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Commenting on the knife attack at Ohio State University that left 11 people injured, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that someone would "think twice" about carrying out such an attack in Texas due to its campus carry law. Full Story
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In two weeks, Texas will officially enact cuts of Medicaid reimbursement rates for disabled children's therapy services. Full Story
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It makes political sense for statewide officials like the governor and the lieutenant governor to do things that attract favorable attention from voters. Speakers of the House live a little farther from the limelight. Full Story
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After decades in Texas politics, Susan Combs is focused on building safe spaces for women to exchange ideas and experiences. With a new memoir and a new nonprofit, she hopes to encourage more women to take on leadership roles. Full Story
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Three members of the Texas Legislature easily won their re-election bids earlier this month despite a cloud of ethics questions hovering over their campaigns. Full Story
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Texas remains one of four states without a statewide ban on texting while driving, but Rep. Tom Craddick and Sen. Juddith Zaffirini plan to try again. Full Story
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A new legal filing from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has put Texas leaders in a delicate position of conceding problems in foster care but arguing against a federal judge's proposed reforms. Full Story
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Straight-ticket voting is generally popular with the political party in power, but not all Texas Republicans like it. The advantages and disadvantages vary widely by county. Full Story
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Health workers and first responders hoped Texas might be awarded $1 million to buy an anti-overdose drug, but state officials never submitted the grant application. Full Story
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