The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Seven Republican members of the Texas House issued a joint statement late Thursday claiming Speaker Joe Straus has the support of nearly the entire Republican caucus for the next legislative session. Full Story
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A special election has yet to be called for the vacant House District 123 seat, but two San Antonio Democrats are already lining up to replace state Rep. Mike Villarreal, who stepped down to run for mayor of the city. Full Story
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Gov.-elect Greg Abbott’s pick for Texas secretary of state voted for a local resolution last year endorsing the expansion of Medicaid — a central tenet of the federal Affordable Care Act that Abbott fiercely campaigned against. Full Story
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The ongoing tension between Texas legislators and the University of Texas System Board of Regents looks likely to bleed into the 2015 legislative session. Full Story
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Saying Wednesday that low-income Texas women will no longer wonder how to find out about state-provided health services, Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek unveiled a new information website. Full Story
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Two months ahead of the first day of the 84th legislative session, eager lawmakers on Monday filed bills addressing issues including guns, texting while driving, health, transportation and much more. Full Story
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State Reps. Trey Martinez Fischer and José Menéndez both said Monday they will consider running for Leticia Van de Putte’s seat in the Texas Senate if she leaves it behind for the top spot in San Antonio. Full Story
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After a mistrial was declared Monday in the case of state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, a new trial was scheduled to start Jan. 5. Reynolds is accused of illegally offering legal services to accident victims within 30 days of their incidents. Full Story
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After the winners of Tuesday’s elections are sworn in, there will be only seven white Democrats left in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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During a phone call Friday, President Obama congratulated Gov. Rick Perry and other Texas officials on reaching a major milestone in the state's fight against Ebola. Full Story
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Watch Gov. Rick Perry, his defense attorneys and the special prosecutor in Perry's felony indictment speak Thursday to news outlets following a pre-trial hearing in Perry's abuse-of-power case. Perry's attorneys argued that the prosecutor was improperly sworn in. Full Story
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On Wednesday, the day after the election, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott held a news conference at the state Capitol to lay out what he's doing to prepare for his new role. Full Story
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Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick cruised to a landslide victory Tuesday night in the race for lieutenant governor, easily defeating Democratic opponent, Leticia Van de Putte. For more election results, see our Election Scoreboard. Full Story
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At our 10/31 symposium on the impact of the shale boom on Texas, Jim Malewitz talked with state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, and Texas Railroad Commissoner Barry Smitherman about what it will take to keep the boom booming. Full Story
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After Tuesday's general election, political observers will examine voter turnout and exit poll data, seeking insights into where Texas is politically, and where it may be headed. Full Story
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With early voting wrapping up Friday, turnout numbers don't seem to reflect much result from Democratic efforts to cultivate new voters. Full Story
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State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, is reaching out to voters in conservative hotbeds in North and East Texas — a nod to Democrats’ dependence on increasing voter turnout in statewide races. Full Story
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Check out the full video of Gov. Rick Perry's speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Perry centered much of his speech on President Obama, and said come 2016, voters will be looking for an alternative to “this season of disappointment." Full Story
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Democrats are hoping to take advantage of the shifting demographics in Irving to flip Texas House District 105, which has been held by a Republican for more than a decade. Full Story
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Full video of my 10/23 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, and state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. Full Story
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