The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Full Story
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Without showing their hand, conservatives outside of government have captured the attention of every nervous conservative in the Legislature at exactly the right time. Full Story
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A copy of more than 800 hours of video secretly shot of Texas lawmakers by a group with conservative ties has been turned over to Breitbart Texas, the news organization’s managing director confirmed Sunday. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy, the focus is on North Texas, where both Dallas and neighboring Arlington had elections Saturday. Full Story
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During a quarter century in the House, Rep. Sylvester Turner gained influence as his party lost power by learning the rules and working with Republicans. As the chamber's Democratic pillar leaves to chase the Houston mayor's post one more time, many wonder who will step up in his place. Full Story
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As videos play an ever larger role in cases of alleged police brutality, "cop watching" is attracting organized activists in communities across the country. Clashes with police are inevitable, and now both sides are asking lawmakers to help clarify the ground rules. Full Story
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The Texas Ethics Commission has fined former state Sen. Wendy Davis $5,000 after finding "credible evidence" she failed to disclose her relationship with two lobbyists on financial disclosure forms filed during her 2012 re-election campaign. Full Story
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The Texas House on Friday gave near-unanimous support to a trio of proposals to designate state-specific hashtags. They are #txlege, #Texas and #TexasToDo. Full Story
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A week after a dramatic committee hearing that culminated in state Rep. Joe Pickett throwing fellow Rep. Jonathan Stickland out of the committee room, video of the hearing was posted online. Full Story
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This week in the Roundup: Gov. Greg Abbott calls the Garland shooting a "heinous crime," Abbott also defends his decision to order the Texas State Guard to monitor a federal military training exercise, and the Legislature advances key measures as the end of session nears. Full Story
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UPDATED: House Bill 1514, which would add a special label to the health insurance cards of people receiving financial assistance under the Affordable Care Act, tentatively passed the Texas House on Friday. Opinions are mixed on what the impact would be. Full Story
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The Texas Rangers will investigate allegations that witnesses were improperly registered to testify on a bill banning red light cameras at a transportation committee hearing last week. Full Story
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Texas consumers could soon be able to buy raw milk at farmers markets and receive such deliveries straight from the dairy under legislation tentatively approved by the House on Thursday. Full Story
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Epilepsy patients in Texas would have access to medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana under legislation the state Senate passed Thursday. Full Story
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Republican state Rep. Allen Fletcher of Cypress confirmed on Thursday that he will abandon his House seat for a bid to replace Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who is running for mayor of Houston. Full Story
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Full video of my 5/7 conversation with John Sharp, the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Full Story
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A measure to provide workplace protections for female teachers who need to pump breast milk while at work is picking up opposition in the Senate. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers Wednesday considered extending hate crime protections to transgender people and repealing the state’s anti-sodomy law, which remains on the books even though it's been found unconstitutional. Full Story
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State Rep. David Simpson's proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas moved closer to a full House after it was approved by a House committee Wednesday evening. Full Story
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A tax case started by a chain of movie theaters could cut billions from the state's franchise tax, and could affect the sales tax, too, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Wednesday. The 3rd Court of Appeals ruled against the state late last week. Full Story
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