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The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.

  • 2010: Paxton Ducks

    By Ross Ramsey

    Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, is not, Not, NOT running against Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, in spite of reports that he was planning a challenge. Full Story 

    Representative Ken Paxton
    Credit: Associated Press

  • Rising Removals

    By Emily Ramshaw

    Removals of Texas children from abusive homes have reached their highest point since the 2008 polygamist sect raid, when hundreds were taken into custody in a single day. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva

  • Cloudy with a Chance of Money

    By Abby Rapoport

    The Rainy Day Fund seems like weather word play waiting to happen. It can plug holes in the budget, defend against an economic perfect storm and keep the deficit clouds at bay. That’s certainly how some see it when looking at the next biennium's projected shortfalls. Full Story 

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  • 2010: Stalking Steve Ogden

    By Ross Ramsey

    Rep. Dan Gattis says state Sen. Steve Ogden is running for reelection after all. But Ogden has maintained radio silence, not commenting (except through staff, who are happy to tell reporters that there's no comment available). Full Story 

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    Credit: Campaign

  • Pleading the Tenth

    By Reeve Hamilton

    The final amendment in the Bill of Rights provides state leaders their best avenue around federal policies they don't agree with. That is, if the Tenth Amendment actually means something. Full Story 

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  • Beyond Textbooks and Tests

    By Brian Thevenot

    Hoping to push a wide array of digital content and teaching tools to public schools, the Texas Education Agency has cut a deal with a division of The New York Times for an electronic curriculum portal and searchable access to the newspaper’s content since 1851. Full Story 

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    Credit: Ante Vekic

  • Gattis is Out, says Ogden is In

    By Ross Ramsey

    State Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, is dropping his bid for state Senate and won't seek reelection to the Texas House next year, he said Sunday. Gattis said State Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, will seek reelection after all. Full Story 

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    Credit: Dan Gattis campaign photo

  • TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

    By Evan Smith

    Ramsey and others on Bill White and the changing state of the race for governor; Thevenot's two-parter on what Dallas churches are doing to combat social ills and racial division; Ramshaw on the use of force by school district police departments (and why parents don't know about it); Grissom's two-parter, abetted by Stiles, on unregulated payday lenders; Aguilar on Mexican immigrants who play against type; and Rapoport on those missing extra checks for retired public employees. The best of the best from November 21 to 25, 2009. Full Story 

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  • The Checks Aren't in the Mail

    By Abby Rapoport

    Sorry, retired teachers and other public employees: You'll have to do without that extra $500 you were expecting. And you shouldn't count on any additional benefits next year — not if the state pension fund continues to be, in the words on one state senator, "actuarially unsound." Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva

  • Hidden Force

    By Emily Ramshaw

    School district police departments use tasers, pepper spray, dogs and drawn handguns to control crime on campus. But most don't keep data on the incidents, leaving parents no way to track them. Many even refuse to turn over their “use of force” guidelines, saying parting with their policies could create a security threat. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva