Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill requiring children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats
Abbott said the measure "is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23293ac690b4e5d562cc7b20ff6f020e/Baby%20Car%20Seat%20Safety%20DPS%20IS%20TT.jpg)
-
![A mom buckles her infant son safely into a rear facing car seat as they get ready to drive somewhere in their vehicle. The baby's mouth is visible with a big smile. Sunlight shines in from behind. Horizontal with copy space.]()
Credit: Getty Images -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs $250 billion budget with no line-item vetoes
In addition to signing the 2020-21 budget, Abbott vetoed several dozen bills that the Legislature had passed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a125a5611e3a2743796ba35633bdc25/12%20SB2%20Abbott%20Wallys%20Burgers%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![Senate Bill 2 and the pens Gov. Greg Abbott used to sign it, in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
John Cornyn says candidates should notify FBI if contacted by foreign governments, but legislation isn't needed
"The simple answer is call the FBI and let them investigate it," Cornyn said. "We don't need to pass a law to do that." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1816d2ef62fe68063276337970f20676/01%20Cornyn%20UT%20Tower%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to the press at the University of Texas at Austin tower in Austin on June 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans Beto O'Rourke and Julián Castro will share the same stage on first night of first 2020 debates
O'Rourke and Castro will be onstage with eight other Democrats during the first of two debates in Miami later this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e66c108cae90ee02227706283913eb68/Castro_Beto_Split_Illustration.jpg)
![Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro (left) and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad: Castro / Jorge Salgado: O'Rourke for The Texas Tribune. -
Advocates say lawmakers largely exempted themselves from Texas' public records law, prompting calls for a veto
Critics say a bill awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature would mark an expansion of lawmakers’ ability to wall off their records from public scrutiny. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/06/Geren_budget_day_LS_TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, works from his desk on the House floor as the House debates the budget on April 6, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas legislative session’s over. Now, all lawmakers have to do is sell it to voters.
Lawmakers are finished with the regular session and now enter the political season, figuring out how to discuss their work in a narrative voters will find appealing in next year's elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/848d6ffe00c6e82a5fb1b43c682d91aa/08%20Parmer%20Lane%20Abbott%20HB3%20Presser%20MG.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen at a press conference on the $11.6 billion school finance reform bill. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bil into law at Parmer Lane Elementary School in Austin on June 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Abbott extends state plumbing board until 2021 after Legislature abolished it
The governor cited Texas' continued recovery from Hurricane Harvey as a reason why he was issuing an executive order to continue the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which was on track to shut down. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a034d376a74b58fcf529f6b800c4b0ca/Plumbing%20Plumbers%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs disaster relief and preparedness bills in Houston
The legislation includes framework that provides more than $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/122d67e4e9b48dfc53d5eb5b41e5168e/04%20ABBOTTHOUSTON%20MS%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 7, one of four bills he signed into law on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in Houston, aimed at bolstering the state's emergency preparedness and disaster relief programs, including framework that provides $1.6 billion for flood control projects and repairs across the state.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
East Texas town with no abortion clinics passes ordinance attempting to ban the procedure
Waskom declared itself a "sanctuary city for the unborn." City leaders acknowledged that the decision will likely lead to a lawsuit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35eeba21127716f4ca8793d4e2f4fd15/Waskom%20City%20Council.jpg)
![The Waskom City Council.]()
Credit: Screenshot via ArkLaTex News -
Beto O'Rourke: Joe Biden a return to the past, country can "do far better"
The Democratic presidential candidate provided his most direct criticism yet of the primary frontrunner in an interview Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5441fc3b3e80b310c0c108d083c2544a/Beto%20Biden%20Split.jpg)
![From left, Former Vice President Joe Biden and Former Congressman Beto OâRourke.]()
Credit: Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After House Republicans tackle big challenges in session, they face another one: saving themselves
Some Democrats are mobilizing in hopes of taking the nine House seats they need for a majority in 2020 as Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen tries to prevent intra-GOP challenges in the primaries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3582f5351ada0b1195c1900940733fa7/Bonnen%20Swearing%20In%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![Opening Day of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature with action in the Texas House
Election of Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, by unanimous vote.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Dallas and the 86th Legislature
Check out our morning conversation in Dallas with four Dallas-area legislators: state Sen. Nathan Johnson and state Reps. Angie Chen Button, Jessica González and Morgan Meyer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3eae585a33dd5351dae75084c00d0583/TTE-CitySeries-Dallas_leadart_TTE.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
TribCast: Will Wendy Davis challenge Chip Roy?
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Patrick, Abby, Jay and Jolie about a potential Wendy Davis-Chip Roy matchup, big city mayoral runoffs, civil asset forfeiture and Beto O'Rourke's role in a contentious El Paso redevelopment plan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc73442d5b9f932ff2c4ff10c8801661/TribCast%206_12_19%20RJ%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D-Austin, and former state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad: Roy/Miguel Gutierrez Jr.: Davis -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill designed to limit property tax growth
A top priority of state leaders, the legislation requires voter approval before local governments increase their property tax revenue by more than 3.5%. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7019dbf9b88e56d842108a5a1acaccdb/01%20SB2%20Abbott%20Wallys%20Burgers%20MG.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 2 to limit property tax growth during a press conference at Wallyâs Burgers in Austin on June 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke releases plan for LGBTQ equality, aiming to overturn Trump policies
“We must ensure all Americans are treated equally no matter who they are or who they love," the Democratic presidential candidate says in offering his sixth major policy proposal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8ed388a6a6bcb226e9c7d49c12e58736/03_Beto_rally_El_Paso_IPA_TT.jpg)
![Supporters of presidential candidate and El Paso native Beto O'Rourke gather ahead of a rally in El Paso on March 30, 2019. Later in the day, O'Rourke is also holding rallies in Houston and Austin.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott, a song of accomplishments and an out-of-tune tweet
The governor is busy touting the accomplishments of the recently ended Texas legislative session while inadvertently reminding his Twitter followers of one of his administration's errors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e600a94cd2fdc72e9b2550b003a99742/Greg_Abbott_3.jpg)
![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune. -
Texas vaccine exemption rates have reached an all-time high. Did Texas make it too easy for parents to opt out?
Texas has resisted recent attempts to change its vaccine laws, allowing parents to get their children exemptions for "reasons of conscience." Use our lookup tool to see how exemption rates have changed in school districts and private schools across the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/29b5afd7051df91f4ec49b8373b958ca/02%20Vaccine%20Nurse%20Doctor%20Clinic%20EK%20TT.jpg)
![Doses of the meningitis vaccine, August 7, 2012 in Houston at Legacy Community Health Services. Each vial contains one dose.]()
Credit: Eric Kayne for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs $11.6 billion school finance measure into law
The high-priority bill boosts per-student funding and reduces property taxes across the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e179cf0e4680531636a46417608cc2ce/02%20Parmer%20Lane%20Abbott%20HB3%20Presser%20MG.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott signs the $11.6 billion school finance bill into law while surrounded by lawmakers at Parmer Lane Elementary School in Austin on June 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas governor signs bill clarifying that women are allowed to pump breast milk in public
Previous state law explicitly permitted breastfeeding in public, but the bill adds a protection for women who choose to pump breast milk in public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/822fc329bc4cca2d71f9d9e9aed8d7f9/01%20Breast%20Feeding%20RGV%20RL%20TT.jpg)
![Arika Rodriguez feeds her son, Parker, after giving birth at the Holy Family Birthing Center in Weslaco, Texas, on Sept. 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke touts his immigration credentials. But these El Pasoans say he doomed their historic migrant neighborhood.
As an El Paso City Council member, O'Rourke favored a redevelopment plan that called for an arena in Duranguito. Now, remaining residents want his help to stop the wrecking ball from destroying their historic barrio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/57dbee1436b3c3f26fb5150630dbd189/20%20Duranguito%20Neighborhood%20IPA%20TT.JPG)
![Seen is an aerial photo of the Durangito neighborhood, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. The neighborhood is in the cities proposed arena footprint. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune