Texplainer: How Is a Statewide Office Vacancy Filled?
The rules are a little different for how to complete the terms of statewide executive officials who leave office early. Full Story
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Crownover Will Not Seek Re-Election to House
State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, announced Monday she will not seek re-election in 2016. Full Story
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Lawmakers Ditch $200 Fee for Lawyers, Doctors, Brokers
Fourteen years after lawmakers first tacked on a $200 annual licensing fee for some occupations, the so-called professionals tax will be repealed Sept. 1. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Analysis: Setting up a Review That Could Be Preceding a Makeover
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants a special committee to review legislative agencies he co-chairs with House Speaker Joe Straus. It sounds a little weird at first, but could put him in position to remake some of those agencies. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.]()
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State College Aid Becoming Less Accessible for Middle Class
Lawmakers have pumped millions into financial aid for low-income residents and are phasing out programs with less strict income requirements. Is the middle class is being left out? This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Abbott Aides: "Magic Words" Used to Block Budget Vetoes
In a lengthy legal memo to the state's comptroller, aides to Gov. Greg Abbott defend his budget vetoes and decry a legislative agency's challenge as a threat to constitutional separation of powers. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
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Law Enforcement Will Receive Training on Dog Encounters
Due to a new law mandating training on canine encounters, all law enforcement officers will spend at least four hours in a classroom and interacting with dogs. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Challenged Vetoes Leave $200 Million in Limbo
With varying degrees of concern, a smattering of government offices and institutions around the state are waiting to learn the fate of more than $200 million in funds that the governor might — or might not — have excised from the state budget. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Roundup: Planned Parenthood, Bland and Perry
In the Roundup: Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol this week to address the latest concerns about Planned Parenthood, and the circumstances that led to Sandra Bland’s jail death. Plus, GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry takes aim at Wall Street reform and promotes his economic record. Full Story
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McCraw Hammered at Hearing on Bland Case
State lawmakers grilled Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw on Thursday, voicing concerns about arrest procedures used by state police and pressing the agency head to explain the July 10 arrest of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail. Full Story
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![DPS Director Col. Steve McCraw answers questions from State Rep. Garnet Coleman during invited testimony of the House Committee on County Affairs investigating the Sandra Bland death in Waller County on July 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Jerry Patterson to George P. Bush: Focus Less on "Derriere"
Upset about the way a recent state audit painted the agency he lead for 12 years, former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is jabbing his successor, George P. Bush, for failing to push back against the audit’s findings. Full Story
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Mental Health Jail Check Failed in Bland Case
The Waller County Jail failed to complete a two-part mental health screening process as required by law during Sandra Bland's booking process, according to the state jail commission and at least one public policy group. Full Story
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![Waller County Jail booking video showing Sandra Bland appearing before Justice of the Peace Delores Hargrave.]()
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Analysis: Deflection by Officials is Worth Noting
It's diversion season: Top state officials, not surprisingly, would rather talk about red-meat political issues than indictments and legally contested budget vetoes. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton (left) and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
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TribCast: Planned Parenthood, Ken Paxton and Ted Cruz
On this week's TribCast, Evan talks with Ross, Patrick and Morgan about the politics of the Planned Parenthood videos and this week's Senate Health and Human Service Committee hearing, the latest on Attorney General Ken Paxton and that Collin County grand jury, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's beef with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Full Story
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At Hearing, Paxton Notes Texas Planned Parenthood Video
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed on Wednesday that a video obtained by his office as part of its investigation into Planned Parenthood practices is “consistent” with other undercover videos released by an anti-abortion group. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton testifies on July 29, 2015, before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on an investigation into Planned Parenthood's practices.]()
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Texas Lawmakers Set to Scrutinize Planned Parenthood
A Texas Senate panel will meet Wednesday to scrutinize Planned Parenthood practices in the aftermath of the release of undercover videos of the abortion provider's executives discussing fetal tissue donation. Full Story
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Bland Arrest, Death Prompt Legislative Hearing
Following the controversial arrest and death of Sandra Bland in Waller County, a Houston lawmaker will convene a Texas House committee hearing Thursday to look at trooper arrest procedures and state jail standards. Full Story
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![Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, on the House floor on May 7, 2015.]()
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State Audit Finds "Significant Weaknesses" in GLO Contracting
The General Land Office’s contracting process is riddled with “significant weaknesses” that threatened the agency’s ability to ensure it is wisely spending its dollars, State Auditor John Keel said in a report made public Tuesday. Full Story
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Program Aims to Give College Credit Where it's Due
Across Texas, tens of thousands of students have earned enough college credit for an associate degree without knowing it. A new project led by the University of Texas at Austin hopes to track them down. Full Story
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Lawmakers Reviewing Video in Texas Planned Parenthood Inquiry
Legislators on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee are being offered the chance to view a video obtained by the Texas attorney general's office as part of its inquiry into Planned Parenthood's practices regarding fetal tissue donation. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Schwertner R-Georgetown, at a February Texas Tribune event.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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