The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As lawmakers prepare to discuss allowing concealed handguns in college and university buildings on Thursday, the chancellor of the state's largest university system continues to express his concerns with such proposals. Full Story
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The budget approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee is 2.9 percent bigger than the estimated size of the current two-year budget. It includes about $8.9 billion more than the first draft Senate leaders unveiled in January. Full Story
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The House Insurance Committee heard debate Tuesday on a bill that would prohibit the coverage of elective abortions in minimum state health plans, and would require women to opt into and pay more for abortion coverage. Full Story
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Two lawmakers have filed legislation that would allocate state funding for education programs that exempt veterans or their dependents from tuition payments. Full Story
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As state legislators consider what “a Texas solution” to Medicaid expansion would look like, others have begun addressing the question of how Medicaid expansion would affect the state budget and local taxes. Full Story
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Protesters on Monday attempted to turn up the heat in the simmering legislative debate over public education in Texas. Full Story
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Ask any of the estimated 2,700 members of the American Federation of Teachers who came out Monday for the group's lobby day, and they’ll tell you their top priority is restoring the $5.4 billion in cuts made last session to public education. Full Story
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Beer distributors and craft breweries reached a tentative deal Monday to amend the Texas Alcoholic Beverage code, but the parties declined to provide specific details until legislative language was completed later this week. Full Story
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Former state Rep. Vicki Truitt says she's over her primary loss to Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake. But an email she sent to "selected friends" early this month indicates she's still harboring resentment over the bruising campaign. Full Story
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The general rule is that new legislators are supposed to be seen and not heard — especially, as it turns out, when the subject is legislative ethics. Full Story
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Lawmakers waited until the last minute to file several bills that could give rise to some of the most heated debates of this year's legislative session. Full Story
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This week in the Newsreel: Highlights from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, lawmakers work toward completion of the first supplemental appropriations bill and Sylvia Garcia wins the SD-6 special election. Full Story
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With a Republican majority in the state House, Senate and state congressional delegation, it seems like a strange time for conservatives to renew a push for instituting term limits. But some conservatives are doing just that. Full Story
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Water is a top issue with lawmakers, if not quite there with voters, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. And voters prefer adding a surcharge, based on water usage, to help pay for water projects. Full Story
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The mental health code doesn't give police the right to take a gun from someone who is having a mental health crisis. Mental health advocates, judges and law enforcement officials are urging state lawmakers to address gaps like that one. Full Story
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Your evening reading: GOP state senator proposes temporary sales tax hike for transportation; Cornyn and Cruz join filibuster of CIA nominee; House group wants to repeal waiting period for abortions Full Story
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Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson pushed lawmakers to establish a commission to investigate wrongful convictions at his biannual State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday. Full Story
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After months of planning, state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, filed bills on Tuesday to overhaul the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and rein in rate hikes on coastal residents. Full Story
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Craft breweries and the Texas Beer Alliance, which represents major-brand beer distributors, joined forces to lobby the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, but not all distributing groups are on board. Full Story
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Texans rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday, hoping to persuade Gov. Rick Perry and other Texas lawmakers to expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. Full Story