Two days after the end of the legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott held a public ceremony to sign four major child welfare bills into law.
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.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Abbott to sign emergency child welfare bills
A couple days after the Texas Legislature gaveled out of its regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign a handful of legislation aimed at overhauling the state’s embattled child welfare system.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: How do I know if my bill died?
Have a bill you want to check up on? Here’s how to check the Texas Legislature Online website to see if a bill you were following this session survived.
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Sold Out
Lawmakers again focus on criminals more than sex-trafficking victims
Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state’s decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend.
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State Government
The winners and losers of the 85th session of the Texas Legislature
The highest-profile contest of the 2017 regular session of the Texas Legislature — between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus — could be headed into overtime. But there are still plenty of winners and losers from lawmakers’ 140 days at the Capitol.
Posted inState Government
The styrofoam problem won’t go away
Plastic items make up 85 percent of the waste stream in the U.S. — and they’re being dumped into waterways and oceans, breaking into toxin-absorbing micro-particles that enter the food chain.
Posted inState Government
The Water Update
The Water Update is a collaboration between the Texas Tribune and Texas Water Journal covering key upcoming meetings and events, important personnel moves, and significant developments with regard to water at the Texas Legislature and water agencies.
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Rare species create controversy for state comptroller
Whether to list six freshwater mussels on the endangered species list has brought questions about how the state comptroller’s office is handling research on potentially endangered species.
Posted inState Government
Water agency tries courting private investors
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation faces rising costs in operating dams, bridges, reservoirs and canals in the West, and is testing the waters for attracting private investors in some of its projects.
Posted inState Government
The Bookshelf: May 31, 2017
In this week’s Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights This Blessed Earth.