The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
After more than two decades of effort by lawmakers to install a monument at the Capitol celebrating African-Americans, the main components of a bronze and granite memorial were quietly lowered onto the south lawn on Tuesday. Full Story
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A significant cut to the amount of money Texas pays therapists who treat children with disabilities was finally cleared to take effect when the Texas Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear a lawsuit over the budget cut's legality. Full Story
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Despite intense outcry from the medical community and reproductive rights advocates, Texas isn't budging on a proposed rule to require the cremation or burial of fetal remains. Full Story
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State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, on Thursday proposed creating an "MD Anderson of the brain" on the site of the troubled Austin State Hospital. Full Story
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After almost 16 years with the Texas Medical Board, Mari Robinson announced Wednesday that she is stepping down as executive director. Full Story
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Tom “Smitty” Smith, a colorful lobbyist and liberal activist who turned Public Citizen Texas into a strong voice on environmental, utility, consumer and ethics issues, is hanging up his spurs after 31 years. Full Story
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It is unclear whether the Texas Department of Public Safety will make any changes to its training policies following the announced settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sandra Bland. Full Story
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Officials in Amarillo on Tuesday agreed to chip in $15 million to help Texas Tech University open a new veterinary school in the city. Full Story
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Texas must issue new press releases and other materials in its voter education campaign. That comes after the federal government and other plaintiffs accused state officials of misleading voters about identification requirements. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers will meet Tuesday to discuss the push for reforms in Texas jail standards, police training and care for mentally ill inmates in the wake of Sandra Bland's death in the Waller County Jail. Full Story
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With one major legal battle seemingly behind them, Sandra Bland's survivors and advocates are gearing up for the next phase of their quest to wrest change from the 28-year-old black woman's death. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday revealed new details about how he was severely burned earlier this year, saying it happened in the shower. Full Story
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used a Saturday trip to Houston to address families of victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants — and blast Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as unsympathetic to their concerns. Full Story
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Cuts in the state's payments to therapy providers who see children with disabilities remain tied up in court, but Texas officials said Thursday they have made about $58 million in cuts from other parts of the health care budget. Full Story
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Months after releasing an opinion saying it could be illegal for school districts to reduce or repeal their local option homestead exemptions, Attorney General Ken Paxton immediately intervened in a lawsuit filed Thursday. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday expressed caution about high-speed rail in Texas, warning that any investment in transportation must not be a "money-losing proposition." Full Story
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Full video of our 9/15 conversation with three incoming members of the Texas House: Republican Kyle Biedermann of Fredericksburg and Democrats Lina Ortega of El Paso and Gina Hinojosa of Austin. Full Story
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Full video of the latest installment of our San Antonio and the Legislature series: a conversation about the 85th session with state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, and state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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The family of Sandra Bland — the woman who died last year in a Waller County Jail cell — has reached a settlement with Texas officials in a wrongful death lawsuit, a lawyer for the family said Thursday. Full Story
A new documentary titled "Starving the Beast" claims Texas officials have maneuvered higher education into a business rather than a public good. Full Story
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