The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Full video of our 2/12 lunchtime discussion in Houston on the major policy debates of the 84th Legislature — and what they mean for the state’s largest city and surrounding communities. Full Story
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They acknowledge they're pushing a boulder up a hill in the conservative Texas Legislature. But three House Democrats remain laser-focused on repealing the 24-hour waiting period for abortion imposed by the state’s 2011 sonogram law. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
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State Sen. Donna Campbell, who has succeeded Leticia Van de Putte as the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, says her health care background will be an asset in helping the state’s growing population of veterans. Full Story
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Months after three people in Texas were diagnosed with Ebola, several key state lawmakers on Wednesday proposed ways to prepare the state for the next disease-related emergency. Full Story
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When the Texas Health and Human Services Commission asked the federal government for $18 million to foot most of the bill for new Medicaid fraud tracking software, it assured Washington counterparts the deal had been competitively bid. That was not true. Full Story
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Emblems of Jack Stick’s days as the state health agency's deputy inspector general remain: roughly 300 high-dollar badges he designed and ordered for his investigators at a cost to taxpayers of $36,000. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey: a widely shared video in which a Florida congressman calls Texas a "crazy state." Full Story
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Taken together, Gov. Greg Abbott’s actions in the early days of his gubernatorial administration seem to belie the notion — circulated by opponents during the 2014 campaign — that he would be Rick Perry 2.0. Full Story
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This week in the Roundup: The new University of Texas System chancellor takes a stand on educating undocumented students, there's a renewed push for a statewide ban on texting while driving, and a proposed bill could land more funding for Texas roads. Full Story
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State officeholders cannot raise money for their own campaigns during legislative sessions, but they can ask supporters to back their favorite charities, or even the political parties that support them during election season. Full Story
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At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, talked about the flagging four-year graduation rates at our public universities — and what to do about them. Full Story
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At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, explained his opposition to campus carry legislation. Full Story
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After a few failed legislative attempts, Republican lawmakers are once again working to make drug testing mandatory for some Texans who receive state welfare benefits. Full Story
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Government misadventures, like the current contracting scandals in Texas, don't make voters happy. But they don't necessarily hurt the people in office — especially when it's easy to hang the blame on the officeholders they replaced. Full Story
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More than 30 families who have lost someone to distracted driving gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol to rally support for legislation that would ban texting while driving in Texas. Full Story
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While state lawmakers have expressed interest in a widespread curtailing of the state’s economic incentive program, Gov. Greg Abbott is requesting $95 million for the state's film incentive program in the next budget. Full Story
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A now-canceled deal between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and a software maker is the subject of scrutiny and is also causing greater talk of state contract reforms. Here's a look back at the deal and what led to the current investigations. Full Story
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In an interview with the Tribune, state Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, said she didn't intend to ignite controversy with her comments last week about Muslims, but stood by her suspicions of the religion. Full Story
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Lobbyists are required to report everything they spend on government officials, including expensive meals at fancy restaurants. But state disclosure laws allow lobbyists to split the bills to avoid naming whom they've wined and dined. Full Story
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