The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The governor has made a vocal enemy in the families of Robb Elementary shooting victims. They are demanding a special legislative session to reach a compromise on the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles. Full Story
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The Texas attorney general’s office sent multiple memos this summer instructing election officials to follow longtime precedent in securing ballots after elections. Then he changed his mind. Full Story
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Gonzales broke with his party to support sweeping gun safety legislation that passed after the city’s tragedy. He drew backlash from GOP activists again after he voted to protect same-sex marriage. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott signed the “trigger law” last year, ensuring that Texas would automatically outlaw abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade. That happened in June, mobilizing Democrats nationwide and giving O’Rourke’s campaign a burst of momentum. Full Story
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Texas, the largest state to restrict abortions, now has three significant bans on the books, setting up a potential legal minefield. Full Story
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Attorney general’s opinion invites lawsuits over long-established ballot security and sets up election officials for possible criminal charges. Full Story
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Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar singled out financial firms under a 2021 state law that prohibits most state entities from contracting with companies that have reduced or cut investments in the oil and gas industry. Full Story
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The U.S. transportation secretary will formally kick off The Texas Tribune Festival in a conversation about highways, airports, rail, charging stations, water, broadband and the road ahead for the Biden administration. Full Story
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Texas heat has killed prisoners and cost the state millions in wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits. Prison rights advocates hope a budget surplus next year will finally push lawmakers to invest in air conditioning. Full Story
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Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the state could block the approval of Harris County’s budget because it’s not allowing constables to roll $3 million in unspent funds into next year’s budget — even though the constables’ total funding will go up next year. Full Story
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The suit comes two days before the state’s newest abortion ban, triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, goes into effect. Full Story
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The Grapevine-Colleyville district, between Dallas and Fort Worth, added two conservative members to its seven-member school board in May. Full Story
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The law passed last year says schools must display the national motto in a “conspicuous place” but only if the poster is “donated” or “purchased by private donations.” Full Story
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Advocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states. Full Story
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After Roe v. Wade was overturned, some faith leaders in Texas rallied in favor of abortion access and offer supportive spiritual counsel for those who have sought abortion. Full Story
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Last May, Lubbock became the biggest city in Texas to ban abortion within city limits. Now, with abortion outlawed throughout the Lone Star State, the fight over reproductive rights is taking a new turn. Full Story
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White, the only Black Republican in the Legislature, leaves office after 11 years and a failed run for agriculture commissioner. Full Story
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The largest fund for those affected by the May 24 massacre is still months away from distributing most of the $16 million it has raised. Some families are turning to smaller donations to get by. Full Story
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The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid. Full Story
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This year’s TEA ratings were done differently than in previous years. Instead of the usual A-F ratings, which were last given in 2019, the agency gave only A-C ratings. Districts and schools that would have received a D or F instead received a “Not Rated” label this year. Full Story
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