The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
A House committee on Thursday held its first hearing in the third special session, and it voted out a transportation funding plan with minor changes from one that failed in the previous special session. Full Story
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The regular Texas legislative session was notable for bipartisan coalitions and harmony. The special sessions have been notable for partisan battles and stalemates. To understand what's going on, just look at the voters. Full Story
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Under House Bill 5, students entering high school this fall will take 10 fewer state exams than their classmates two years ahead of them. This story is part of our month-long 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Every day this month, the Tribune will reveal a new way that the laws and budget lawmakers passed in the 83rd legislative session will affect Texans' lives come Sept. 1. See the latest stories published or use our interactive calendar for an overview. Full Story
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The number of Texas lawmakers absent from the Capitol because of personal business isn't always an issue. But as this week has shown, the absentee list could pose a problem for leaders trying to muster votes for a major transportation funding plan. Full Story
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Pleas from lawmakers failed to ward off an immediate third special session on transportation. Full Story
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Despite broad bipartisan support, lawmakers have been unsuccessful this year in their efforts to pass a bill issuing tuition revenue bonds to fund campus construction. Another special session may provide them with an opportunity to try again. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry calls third special session; debate over Capitol confiscations continues; Abbott calls White House's voting rights push a scheme to turn Texas blue. Full Story
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UPDATED: Just over an hour after lawmakers ended their second 30-day special session of the year, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday called lawmakers back for a third one, with transportation funding the only issue on the agenda. Full Story
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Debate continues over whether visitors to the Capitol on July 12 attempted to sneak in containers of human feces. The Department of Public Safety is seeking to withhold information about the alleged incident. Full Story
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A major blow to a transportation plan has left the Legislature teetering on the edge of a third special session. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Transportation bill fails in House; Cruz says Republicans "scared" of defunding Affordable Care Act; Martinez Fischer attends White House meeting on voting rights. Full Story
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Twenty women at the Harris County Jail are working to ensure that they won't fall back into prostitution when they finish their sentences. A specialized program is helping them gain the tools to do just that. Full Story
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A deal struck over the weekend may have saved the Legislature from yet another special session. Full Story
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Through a program at the Harris County Jail, 20 women are working to avoid returning to a life of prostitution. The program is led by a woman who knows only too well the struggles they face. Full Story
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The co-chairs of the select committee considering the impeachment of UT System Regent Wallace Hall have formally asked that all relevant documents be preserved and all potential witnesses be free from "adverse employee action." Full Story
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In place of this week's Newsreel, we've got the story of the week — and of the political year so far: the debate and filibuster and verbal melee that marked the last day of the first special session. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Legislature closer to transportation funding deal; Republicans fire more criticism at Obama administration over voting rights move; federal court sides against Texas in EPA case Full Story
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Throughout his 24 years in the Texas House, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, has taken a pragmatic approach to politics, maintaining close ties with Republican leaders if it means a seat at the negotiating table. Full Story
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Stalled negotiations over a transportation deal have pushed the Legislature to the brink of yet another special session. Full Story
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