The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Lawmakers considered a proposal to shutter six of Texas’ 13 state-supported living centers over two days of public hearings, renewing a long-simmering debate over the future of the state’s institutions for the disabled. Full Story
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The state is considering a proposal to integrate its Division for Blind Services with other rehabilitation services. While lawmakers are largely supportive of a consolidation, advocates for the blind are voicing concerns. Full Story
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Texas is considering doing away with the licensing of X-ray technicians and 11 other types of health professionals. Some say that would put patients at risk. A Sunset Commission hearing Wednesday is set to address the issue. Full Story
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The Federal Railroad Administration published a document on its website Wednesday officially kicking off a highly anticipated environmental review of a proposed high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston. Full Story
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On Monday, 15 years after a U.S. Supreme Court decision that paved the way for some people with disabilities to move out of institutions, advocates for Texans with disabilities called on state lawmakers to speed up that process. Full Story
Warning of the dangers faced by undocumented and unaccompanied children crossing the border into the U.S., Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday called on the Obama administration to more strictly enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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A key Republican lawmaker and a Democratic candidate for railroad commissioner are among those expressing concerns about the Railroad Commission of Texas' practice of preventing staffers from talking to members of the media. Full Story
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Texas ranks third-worst in the nation on quality of long-term care for elderly and disabled people, according to a new AARP report released Thursday. Full Story
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UPDATED: The Texas Water Development Board’s release of draft rules Tuesday afternoon offered Texans a clearer sense of how the board will prioritize and fund competing water supply projects. Full Story
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The state of Texas does not levy a property tax, but state lawmakers would like to lower property tax bills anyway — a quest that could take them into school finance or into relief for some taxpayers at the expense of others. Full Story
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After a state Senate committee hearing Thursday in which veterans and others talked about excessive wait times at VA clinics, lawmakers said a plan expanding the Texas Veterans Commission's "strike force" was moving forward. Full Story
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The Texas Racing Commission voted Tuesday to take steps toward allowing state racetracks to tap into a controversial technology known as historical racing. Full Story
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Following the revelation that the University of North Texas has received up to $84 million in excess state funds over roughly the last decade, Gov. Rick Perry has instructed the state's public universities to review their accounting. Full Story
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In a letter sent to all House members on Monday, state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, shared his criticism of and questions for the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations. Full Story
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A recommendation from the state's Sunset Advisory Commission to shutter six of Texas' 13 state-supported living centers has reopened a giant divide in the disability community that had seemed to narrow in recent years. Full Story
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Full video of my 5/29 TribLive conversation with State Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, a candidate for Texas comptroller in 2014. Full Story
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Republican primary voters have already decided one thing for the rest of the state's citizens: The Texas Senate that takes office in January will be more conservative than its predecessor. Full Story
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The conciliatory tone that marked Dan Patrick's victory speech was unlike the fiery immigration rhetoric voters were accustomed to. But it's an approach he will have to take in a general election battle against Leticia Van de Putte. Full Story
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The day after the elections, both the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House were talking about getting ready for the legislative session in January. But Joe Straus will be there, and David Dewhurst won't. Full Story
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State Sen. Dan Patrick celebrated with supporters on Tuesday upon winning the Republican primary runoff for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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