The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
In a letter sent Wednesday to University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven, state Sen. John Whitmire joined a growing number of legislators asking the UT System to pause and reconsider its plans to open a branch campus in his hometown of Houston. Full Story
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Rice University is the latest private college in Texas to announce that it would opt out of the state's new campus carry law. Full Story
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The federal government is officially reminding governors in states like Texas that they do not have the legal authority to reject Syrian refugees. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott's upcoming trip to Cuba comes as the politics surrounding the United States' relationship with the country appears to be shifting, even within Abbott's own party. Full Story
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It’s odd that one officeholder could be convicted, exonerated, re-indicted, convicted and sentenced without completely endangering his political career while another could get knocked out of contention while blaming an indictment. Full Story
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The terrorists attacked at a time when American political races are underway and people whose fates rise and fall with public sentiment look for ways to get some favorable attention. Full Story
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Elected leaders and advocates for immigration reform staged a boisterous protest outside the Texas Governor’s Mansion, calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to meet with immigrant families and to show leniency to undocumented workers. Full Story
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State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, convicted of five counts of illegal solicitation of legal clients last week, was sentenced Monday to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, but plans to appeal the verdict and will seek reelection in 2016.. Full Story
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In the Roundup: Texas officials take aim at the issue of Syrian refugee resettlement, Rick Perry’s defense team argues to have his indictment dismissed and a lawmaker seeks clarification on the campus carry gun law. Full Story
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Members of the University of Houston System Board of Regents lashed out against the University of Texas System's plans to expand in Houston, calling the idea a "Trojan horse" and passing a resolution expressing strong concerns. Full Story
Between now and the next legislative session, Texas lawmakers will be tinkering with an obscure formula that links their own state pensions to the salaries of state judges. Full Story
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State troopers can end inaccurate reporting of the race and ethnicity of drivers they pull over by simply asking them for that information, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told lawmakers Wednesday. Full Story
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In an apparent effort to shut down talk of banning guns in college classrooms, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has asked Attorney General Ken Paxton to clarify where universities can prohibit handguns with the state's campus carry law goes into effect Aug. 1. Full Story
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Lawyers for former Gov. Rick Perry fought Wednesday before the state's highest criminal court to finish off a 2014 indictment against him, while prosecutors argued that it was too early to let Perry off the hook. Full Story
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The criminal case against former Gov. Rick Perry is hanging in the balance Wednesday as the state's highest criminal court takes it up in what could be the most consequential moment yet for the 15-month-old indictment. Full Story
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Holding up San Antonio as an example, a report released Tuesday by the Vera Institute of Justice recommends law enforcement agencies change their practices regarding mental illness, sex workers and addiction. Full Story
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At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, I talked about the pursuit of excellence with Southwestern University President Edward Burger; Paul Foster, the chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents; Woody Hunt, chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and University of Texas at El Paso President Diana Natalicio. Full Story
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At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, Matthew Watkins talked to state Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo; state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin; and Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes about how higher ed issues played in the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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A day after about half of the country’s governors promised to block Syrian refugees from resettling in their states, religious and nonprofit leaders warned that those actions could have a dramatic impact on refugee resettlement. Full Story
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At our 11/16 symposium on higher education, Baylor University President and Chancellor Ken Starr explained why the school would likely opt out of the state's new campus carry law. Full Story
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