The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The keynote track at the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival featured interviews with several Texas elected officials and candidates, as well as a pair of panel discussions. Listen to audio of each session. Full Story
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Thanks to a tough examination from the State Auditor's Office, the Texas Enterprise Fund has become an election issue. But it was an issue before now, and will be an issue during the next legislative session. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry's Texas Enterprise Fund has become the target of harsh criticism since the release of a report by the Texas State Auditor describing the program as weak on oversight. Here's a look at where the money went and what jobs were created. Full Story
As Gov. Rick Perry enters the last months of his 14 years in the state's top job, his troubles are piling up and the allies and colleagues who have often rallied to his side are turning their attention to other things. Full Story
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As it hears arguments in an appeal of a federal judge’s decision overturning new requirements for Texas abortion facilities, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Texas could enforce the requirements in the meantime. Full Story
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While a federal judge in Corpus Christi mulls whether the state's requirement to show photo ID to cast a ballot violates the Voting Rights Act, a judge on the highest criminal appeals court in Texas has sued the state over its voter ID law. Full Story
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State officials have characterized the response to an Ebola diagnosis in Dallas as top-notch, but medical experts argue that the state’s public health infrastructure may be vulnerable. Full Story
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Texas health officials have expanded to 100 their list of people who may have had contact with a man in the Dallas area confirmed to be infected with the Ebola virus. Eighteen people are already under observation. Full Story
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As many as 18 individuals in the Dallas area are under observation by Dallas County health officials after coming in contact with a patient confirmed to be infected with the Ebola virus, officials said on Wednesday. Full Story
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On Tuesday, federal and state health officials confirmed the first U.S. case of Ebola in a patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Here's what you need to know about the case. Full Story
Republican Dan Patrick and Democrat Leticia Van de Putte were asked 10 questions in Monday's debate. But there had been more waiting for them. Here's a look at the questions that didn't fit into the hourlong debate. Full Story
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During a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Gov. Rick Perry said he would be better prepared than he was in 2012 if he decides to run for president again in 2016. He said his poor health contributed to his poor performance. Full Story
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In the only scheduled debate in their race for lieutenant governor, state Sens. Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte faced off on Monday night in a lively exchange that displayed divergent positions. Full Story
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Full video of the 9/29 debate between the major party candidates for Texas lieutenant governor: state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor, says Attorney General Greg Abbott, her Republican opponent, intentionally used the power of his office to hide misspending in the troubled Texas Enterprise Fund. Full Story
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When lawmakers are not working on all of the things you hear about — budgets, education, immigration and so on — they are often refereeing fights between businesses. And some of next year's battles are already shaping up. Full Story
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In Texas, reports of loose oversight over hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development funds, cancer research grants and plain old tax money are fueling pointed criticism from both the left and the right. Full Story
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UPDATED: Attorney General Greg Abbott will appeal a ruling that the Texas school finance system is unconstitutional, according to a notice his office sent Friday to attorneys in the case. The appeal is set to go directly to the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
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A lawsuit filed by an Austin lawyer is arguing that Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Susan Combs had no authority to spend taxpayer money on criminal defense attorneys for the governor, who is fighting an indictment. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus, seeking a fourth term at the helm of the chamber, is facing a challenge from state Rep. Scott Turner. If Straus prevails, he could gain an advantage in setting the agenda for the next legislative session. Full Story
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