The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas House also voted to spend $1.5 billion on new state border walls, though that measure must be reconciled with the Senate version before it’s sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f4b6404b80a4977281145260e3d55fd/Migrants%20El%20Paso%20Dec%2020%20IPA%2009.jpg)
Lawyers for employees fired by Paxton’s office after they reported him to the FBI say they plan to begin issuing subpoenas in the case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dacb3c47e3e64b4e8b64e29f2a08293e/Ken%20Paxton%20File%20MF%20TT%2007.jpg)
Twenty women are challenging the state’s abortion laws, saying they were unable to get the health care they needed for their medically complex pregnancies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad19fd04c93d5c5922dba3c2a1bcb7ed/Kimberly%20Manzano%20ST%20TT%2005.jpg)
Aaron Nielson will take a one-year leave of absence from BYU’s law school to lead the influential unit within the attorney general’s office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e4356fa7b2691946e0fedd0b5ab89ef8/Aaron%20Nielson%20BYU%20TT%2002.jpg)
The ban applies to all private businesses, including health care facilities like hospitals, which can jeopardize the health of those with compromised immune systems or other underlying conditions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc6ae61f5e8226773e87821a82f80e61/1110%20Alice%20Barton%20Portrait%20JS%20TT%2006.jpg)
Thousands of Texans rallied in front of the state Capitol Sunday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 10,000 people. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e33b6fb9915da8104bb75290a55c3969/Palestinian%20Protest%20JS%20TT%2001.jpg)
The two new measure could bring $1.3 billion more to schools to pay for security systems, fencing and personnel training. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/965ccf2e6f492b461d3112badd845ac0/School%20Security%20TK%2001.jpg)
The Senate revved to life Thursday, holding committee hearings with little advance notice and advancing four bills that satisfy Abbott’s agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/09d0c4c6fbb9de5654c0d384b276da92/0628%20Second%20Special%20Session%20EL%20TT%2023.jpg)
House Bill 1, which stagnated during the previous special session, finally received a hearing in the lower chamber, a crucial step that will decide whether the proposal gets a full vote. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c7f2d15c358b5cc4b3b76706c7dfc75b/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2017.jpg)
The neighboring regions are projected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. But the state still lacks an overarching plan to address critical housing and transportation issues, experts said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/17ce46fc08c204976edabfc58fe48e1f/11-29_Interconnected-Lead-Title-01-v1.png)
The legislation behind the historic investment directs state agencies to send money to the state’s smaller, cash-strapped towns that have difficulty paying for upgrades. Federal money is also expected to flow to regions that need broadband. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/72012e4a9391d7e563da51bf37b90ca0/0410%20Zavalla%20Water%20MF%20TT%2028.jpg)
A full 30-day session amounts to about $1 million in per diem payments to lawmakers, which are meant to cover their expenses in Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d1a4b08f6f5d9c58262008ad9177d006/COMP%20Special%20Session%20Sine%20Die%20SP%2001.jpg)
Immigration experts say the most recent proposals would raise constitutional challenges in the U.S. and Mexico, as federal courts have repeatedly ruled that immigration law enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba187431bc9625b14ebeb5f4a3533530/20220321%20Operation%20Lone%20Star%207.jpg)
Texans soundly defeated a constitutional amendment that would have let judges stay on the bench longer. Proposition 13 would have increased the minimum retirement age from 70 to 75 and the mandatory retirement age from 75 to 79. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/98713730b223ef9590e675aa28052143/0621%20Ancestral%20Lands%20EL%20TT%2060.jpg)
Former top aides to the Texas attorney general are seeking damages for their firings after they reported Paxton to the FBI. The Legislature opted not to authorize a $3.3 million settlement in the lawsuit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e34ae62281f342fbbad54af938415c75/0915%20%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%209%20JS%20TT%2006.jpg)
The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires hospitals to stabilize any patient in the emergency room, even, the Biden administration noted in recent guidance, if that requires performing an abortion. Texas sued over the guidance last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8b492b3c4dc5a2bf0f5ca79613c2b77b/ATX%20Hospitals%20AG%20TT%2012.jpg)
The governor announced the fourth special session would start an hour after the previous session adjourned. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e3646ff6dfa42af931ffc0e1d75f5c0b/0809%20Abbott%20Tax%20Cut%20Bill%20DS%20TT%2018.jpg)
Texans are being asked to cut property taxes, create a new fund for water infrastructure and give child-care facilities a tax exemption among other propositions. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and what you need to know to vote. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/363237efed836addd4cda2917d21c442/San%20Marcos%20Election%20Day%20JV%20TT%2023.jpg)
Five Republicans and one Democrat were on the ballot for the ruby-red seat, but most of the drama has focused on two GOP candidates, Dutton and Money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25cd0f119721f707404ee83b24b39b96/Jill%20Dutton%20and%20Brent%20Money%20TT%2001.jpg)
A report from Department of Family and Protective Services watchdogs paints a picture of a roughshod safety-net system that is unprepared to protect its youthful charges from predators and unable to keep them from endangering themselves. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2cd0dd9739df75cb618609f2d5c56b3/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%2014.jpg)