Late last year, after two Texas electors went rogue, top Republicans rallied around bills to “bind” Texas Electoral College members to the result of the statewide popular vote. Those bills never made it to the governor.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
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Guides
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott just called a special session. What should you expect?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced he was calling the Legislature back for a special session to address must-pass “sunset” legislation and 19 other measures. Here’s what Texans can expect ahead of July 18.
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State Government
Analysis: Raising money while making laws in Texas special session
A special session of the Texas Legislature reveals a hole in the state’s ethics laws, allowing elected officials in Austin to make laws at the same time they’re raising campaign funds — from the people most interested in those new laws.
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Demographics
State capitol among lawmakers’ summer travel destinations (video)
Members of the Texas Legislature have six weeks to prepare to tackle an ambitious agenda in a special session that begins July 18.
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State Government
Here’s what Gov. Greg Abbott has said — or not said — about special session items
Some of the 20 topics Gov. Greg Abbott is asking the Texas Legislature to consider during a special session have been his priorities since his State of the State Address in January. On some of the other topics, though, he’s been relatively quiet.
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Fired FBI director faces panel of Senators including Cornyn
At a highly anticipated hearing with James Comey, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn spent much of his time questioning the fired former FBI Director about an incident related to the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Another state voting law, another legal challenge
Texas voting law requires language interpreters helping someone at the ballot box to also be a registered voter in the same county. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is taking up a legal challenge this morning over it.
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State Government
Small beer makers say bill creates “extortion fee” as they seek Abbott’s veto
Craft brewers want Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a bill that would put limits on some regulatory relief that benefits them. But supporters, including some major distributors, say the bill is needed to stop big beer companies that gobble up independent craft brewers from taking advantage of relaxed regulations.
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State Government
Appeals court to weigh Texas voting law limiting language interpreters
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Thursday over an obscure provision in the Texas Election Code that critics say makes it harder for Texans not proficient in English to get assistance while voting.
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Demographics
City of Dallas to join fight against Texas immigration law
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on Wednesday announced that the city council decided to join a number of Texas cities and counties in fighting the state’s immigration bill, Senate Bill 4, in federal court.