Abbott signs bill restricting insurance coverage of abortion
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Tuesday that will require Texas women to pay a separate health insurance premium to get coverage for non-emergency abortions. Full Story
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Shannon Najmabadi
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Shannon Najmabadi was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering women's health. Her stories — on higher education and other topics — have prompted lawmakers to change three state laws, including one involving a very narrow definition of the word “pickle.” She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Past Contributions
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![State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, discusses House Bill 214, which would limit health benefit coverage for elective abortions, on Aug. 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House calls on Texas A&M chancellor to halt white nationalist rally
After last weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Texas House members Monday called on the Texas A&M University System chancellor to stop a "White Lives Matter" rally from taking place on campus next month. Full Story
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![Rep. Helen Giddings D-DeSoto, asks her fellow House members to stand with her against racism after white nationalists announced a planned rally on the Texas A&M campus.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Legislature advances annexation bill to Gov. Abbott
The Texas Senate advanced a municipal annexation bill to Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, the fifth bill sent to the governor’s desk during the special legislative session set to end in no more than three days. Full Story
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![State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, answers questions from Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, about Senate Bill 6, the municipal annexation bill that would require citizen elections for cities to annex adjacent property, on Aug. 13, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
With days left in special session, Senate committee makes major changes to House's school finance bill
The Senate Education Committee drastically altered the House's primary piece of school finance legislation Friday but suggested compromise with the House was possible with less than a week left in the special session. Full Story
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![State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, speaks at a press conference held by members of the Senate Republican Caucus to discuss education and teachers' retirement, on August 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Nearly 1,500 school officials urge Patrick to accept House school finance bill
In a letter sent to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Thursday, nearly 1,500 local school superintendents and trustees urged the head of the Senate to support the House's primary piece of school finance legislation, House Bill 21. Full Story
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![State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, speaks at a press conference held by members of the Senate Republican Caucus to discuss education and teachers' retirement, on August 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
New Texas law allows merchants to decline card purchases without ID
A law that goes into effect Jan. 1 will let store owners refuse to process credit or debit card transactions if the buyer won't show ID. Some say the law won't override contracts that currently bar merchants from doing so. Full Story
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![A customer uses a credit card to pay for lunch. A new law in Texas will enable retailers to ask for photo identification with credit or debit card purchases and turn down a transaction if buyers won't show it.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames city governments for "all our problems in America"
On television Friday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick chided Democratic city governments for causing problems nationwide. Full Story
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![After two days of contentious debate and several bills passed, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick congratulates the Senate on what he says was a job well done on July 26, 2017. The Senate tackled bills on 18 issues, sending them over to the House for consideration in the special session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
House OKs reversing cuts to disabled children's therapy services
The Texas House gave tentative and unanimous approval Thursday to a measure that would partially reverse a controversial cut to disabled children’s therapy services that was ordered by the 2015 Legislature. Full Story
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![Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, speaks to media regarding her request to add Ethics Reform to the special session on Aug. 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Senate approves anti-abortion bill in overnight vote
The Senate has approved a measure that prohibits local and state government agencies from contracting with abortion providers and their affiliates. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 27, 2017. The committee is consider several bills related to long-term care facilities including S.B. 1130 by Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and others.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
Senate gives early OK to bill regulating do-not-resuscitate orders
The Senate gave early approval to a measure Tuesday night that would require physicians to take certain steps before issuing do-not-resuscitate orders to patients. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, listens to witness testimony on several bills in Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune