Analysis: A lavish benefit for Texas lawmakers could get even bigger
Regulators are deciding how much lobby wining and dining Texas lawmakers can accept without revealing their names. Hint: It's a lot. Full Story
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![State senators and staff listen to testimony at a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing reviewing current ethics laws governing public officials and employees on Oct, 5, 2016.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In Texas, Lawmakers Regulate Their Own Regulators
The Texas Ethics Commission regulates legislators. Legislators control the commission's laws and budget. It's a complicated relationship. Full Story
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![State Sens. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, listen to testimony at a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing reviewing current ethics laws governing public officials and employees on Oct, 5, 2016.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott Reveals Severe Burns Came From Shower
Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday revealed new details about how he was severely burned earlier this year, saying it happened in the shower. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a press conference on the Dallas shootings on July 8, 2016.]()
Credit: Robert Hart for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott Expresses Caution on High-Speed Rail
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday expressed caution about high-speed rail in Texas, warning that any investment in transportation must not be a "money-losing proposition." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott mingles with the crowd before speaking at a luncheon Thursday for the Waco Chamber of Commerce. In his remarks, Abbott expressed caution about high-speed rail in Texas.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
Abbott Says He's Fully Behind Trump, Hopes for Double-Digit Win in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing back against the suggestion that his support for Donald Trump is lukewarm, saying "of course" he is all in for the Republican presidential nominee — and that he hopes Trump wins Texas by double digits. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is shown in November 2015 proposing reforms against "sanctuary cities" that he wants Texas lawmakers to consider in the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A&M Researchers Unveil Freight Delivery Without Trucks
Back in 1998, the federal government asked the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to find a way of moving freight without trucks on highways. Eighteen years later, the researchers debuted their prototype on Friday. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University unveils Autonomous Freight Shuttle System on September 9, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Abbott Will Pick Susan Hawk's Replacement as Dallas County DA
After struggling with mental illness, including three admissions at psychiatric treatment centers, Republican Susan Hawk stepped down from her position as Dallas County District Attorney on Tuesday. Full Story
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![Former Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk]()
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Gov. Abbott Launches Innovative Academies in Texas High Schools
Public high school students can prepare for careers ranging from aerospace to life sciences – all while receiving college credits before graduation – under an initiative launched by Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday. Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a Rotary Club of San Antonio luncheon on March 23, 2016.]()
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Inside UH's Political Push to Join the Big 12
The University of Houston has been burned before when it comes to the politics of college sports realignment. This time, its supporters are lobbying the state's top politicians for some help winning an invitation to the Big 12. Full Story
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![Football players practice at TDECU Stadium at the University of Houston on Aug. 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Long and Winding Road to the Texas Ethics Commission
It's harder to appoint people to the Texas Ethics Commission than to other agencies. The politics are difficult. But it's also easy to just let it slide — and let commissioners serve for years after their terms end. Full Story
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First Grants From Abbott Initiative Bringing 10 Top Researchers to Texas
Ten renowned researchers are coming to Texas as a result of the inaugural grants under Gov. Greg Abbott's university research initiative, his office announced Thursday. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott to Miss GOP Convention Due to Burns
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will not attend the Republican National Convention as he recovers from severe burns he suffered during a family vacation, according to his office. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott at a press conference on the Dallas shootings on July 8, 2016.]()
Credit: Robert Hart for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott Slams New York Ad that Paints Texas as Discriminatory
After years of Texas trying to lure businesses away from other states, New York has struck back — with an ad that paints the Lone Star State as unwelcoming and discriminatory to the LGBT community. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
Abbott Ad Asks British Businesses to 'Declare Independence'
Gov. Greg Abbott is using this July Fourth weekend to urge British businesses to move to Texas — an "independence" pitch inspired by "Brexit." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference with Ellen Wood, president and CEO of vcfo on his plans to greatly reduce the Texas business franchise tax, on April 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Anti-Regulation Party in Texas Has a Strong Taste for Rules
Monday's Supreme Court ruling against two key provisions of the state's anti-abortion law was the latest setback for a band of Republicans who abhor regulatory constraints on business but who regularly try to control the behavior of individuals in Texas. Full Story
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![An anti-abortion protester demonstrated outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2016, before the court struck down two key provisions of a Texas abortion law.]()
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More than 300 Gubernatorial Appointees Have Expired Terms
Gov. Greg Abbott has made hundreds of appointments since he took office in January 2015, but is still working his way out of a backlog to replace people whose terms expired as long as five years ago. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott announced an expansion of the Governor’s Commission for Women at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, TX on Wednesday, March 30th.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
Perry Portrait Unveiled — And a Burning Question Answered
The official portrait of former Gov. Rick Perry was unveiled Friday morning, giving Texas' longest-serving governor a permanent home in the Capitol — and answering a burning question throughout Austin. Full Story
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![Former Texas First Lady Anita Perry and artist James Tennison unveil the official portrait of the 47th governor of Texas, Rick Perry, on May 6, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Years Later, Benefits from State Subsidy to Chevron Hard to Find
Texas announced in 2013 it was giving Chevron millions of dollars toward building a new office tower and creating 1,752 jobs. More than two years later, the site of the building remains a grassy lot and Chevron has laid off hundreds of workers. Full Story
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![Chevron was expected to build an office building at 1600 Louisiana Street in downtown Houston. More than two years after receiving state support for the project, company company officials say they have no plans to build the tower in the near future.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
New Gas Pump Stickers Highlight Sid Miller, Ding Lawmakers
A new sticker for the state's gas pumps comes with a few additional flourishes: Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's name emblazoned across the top and a disclaimer blaming gas taxes on Congress and the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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![A new fuel pump sticker issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture puts tax blame on Congress and the Legislature while placing Commissioner Sid Miller's name in greater prominence.]()
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Analysis: Legal Matters Could Temporarily Expand Abbott’s Power
Texas doesn’t have a cabinet form of government, but in Gov. Greg Abbott’s case, it might soon have the next best thing. Full Story
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![From left: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/Bob Daemmrich