The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Hundreds rallied at the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday to protect Planned Parenthood's health and family planning services. The organization faces a firestorm of legislation from conservative lawmakers. Full Story
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State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, voiced concern for the safety of high school athletes to a House Committee on Tuesday afternoon. "I saw a few heartbreaking stories … on high school athletes that had stellar careers ahead of them," said Lucio, who has filed two bills on athletic safety. Full Story
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The biggest hurdle getting an abortion sonogram bill passed this session may be good old-fashioned stubbornness. Full Story
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During Tuesday's Senate Education Committee meeting, senators considered legislation that could dramatically change the way school districts operate — including two bills that target the dreaded "unfunded mandates." Full Story
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We've updated our elected officials directory this week to include the names and e-mail addresses of legislative staffers in the 82nd session now that the House Research Organization has released a complete list. Full Story
Texas Democrats are advertising their displeasure with the budgets being proposed by Gov. Rick Perry and House and Senate leaders. Literally. Full Story
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The Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee's radio ads attacking budget plans in the Republican-dominated Legislature. Full Story
Texas history supporters came out in force today to tell the Senate Finance Committee why the Texas Historical Commission should be saved from a 77 percent budget cut. Full Story
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To keep critical jail inspections going even as they cut funding to the agency that provides them, lawmakers are proposing that the counties pay for them. Full Story
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In the House, what starts with substance — abortion sonogram legislation, in this case — often ends with procedure. Full Story
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For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked what it would mean to make deep cuts to public education, as proposed by the House, the Senate and the governor. Full Story
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Ramshaw and Stiles on the tepid growth of Big D during the last decade, Hamilton talks immigration with state Rep. Leo Berman, M. Smith on Texas education's Race to the Top efforts and more: The best of our best content from Feb. 28 to March 4, 2011. Full Story
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No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Full Story
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Ever wonder what a defeated judge is doing up on the bench? Texplainer's got your answer. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers, out to protect their interests this session, appear to be ratcheting up their rhetoric. Politics as usual or a serious lapse in civil discourse? Full Story
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The Texas Education Agency released new superintendent salary data this week, so we've updated our news app and added some new features. Full Story
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Urban luxuries — say, running water — aren’t guaranteed everywhere in Texas. The state Department of Rural Affairs helps rural Texans get basic amenities, but the agency is on Gov. Rick Perry's budget chopping block. Full Story
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A judge has ruled the state may continue its legal challenge against the pharmaceutical company Janssen over allegations it offered officials kickbacks to get a schizophrenia medicine on a preferred drug list. Full Story
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Thirteen-year-old Asher Brown’s death has given momentum to the more than 15 anti-bullying bills filed in the Legislature this session. The legislation is supported by teacher organizations and advocacy groups but has drawn opposition. Full Story
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Many Texas lawmakers have forsworn taxes, but they also promised to educate kids, to build roads, to care for the needy and to do what government is expected to do. It’s the adult version of those mathematical story problems that made sixth grade so much fun. Full Story
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