The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Members of the Texas House Higher Education Committee said they were worried about the rising cost of college in Texas, but stayed away from the criticism and dramatic calls for action heard from the Senate in recent weeks. Full Story
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Throughout Mental Health Month in May, the Tribune is partnering with the Mental Health Channel and KLRU for a series focusing on some of Texas’ biggest challenges in providing mental health care. Full Story
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State Sen. Charles Schwertner said Sunday he would file legislation next year “designed to establish consistent and predictable statewide regulation of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft." Full Story
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It's likely that no candidate will clear 50 percent in the special election for the unexpired seat in Texas House District 120, voters will be asked to come to the polls again this summer for — yes — an extra special election. Full Story
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The Texas Railroad Commission approved a permit for a huge oil and gas waste facility outside of tiny Nordheim, ending one of the first organized protests against industry activity in South Texas’ Eagle Ford Shale. Full Story
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Both this Saturday and then two weeks later, voters in San Antonio and Houston will weigh in on the future of their representation in the Texas House. Full Story
Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, already facing the possible suspension of his law license over charges he illegally solicited clients, was ordered Friday to pay $504,000 to a former client for keeping her share of a settlement. Full Story
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At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, I talked with Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar about the price of oil, economic incentives, taxes, spending, Texas vs. D.C., and more. Full Story
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At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, I talked about the state's business climate with state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, Bill Hammond of the Texas Association of Business, Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First, and state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas. Full Story
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At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, the Houston Chronicle's Chris Tomlinson talked about taxes with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, 2014 Democratic candidate for comptroller Mike Collier, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Dale Craymer of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association. Full Story
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At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, Ross Ramsey talked about the state budget and spending with state Sens. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and state Reps. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Donna Howard, D-Austin. Full Story
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The Texas Railroad Commission should beef up its oversight of oil and gas drilling, pipeline safety and abandoned wells and change its name to reflect what it actually does, the latest sunset review recommends. Full Story
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Even as a federal appeals court prepares to review the constitutionality of Texas’ controversial voter ID law, the law will remain in effect, the U.S. Supreme Court said in an order Friday. Full Story
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Politically, bathroom bans are in the same category as requiring voters to show photo IDs — a favorite on the right — and renaming buildings and things after historical figures who haven’t fallen out of favor — a current liberal favorite. Full Story
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In the past four years, the total pay for chancellors and presidents of Texas universities and systems has grown 70 percent, from an average total compensation of $565,000 in 2012 to an average of $955,000 now. Full Story
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Activists, lawmakers and state leaders are eyeing Texas as the next battleground in what has become an explosive national debate: the right of transgender people to decide which bathroom they use. Full Story
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Full video of my 4/26 conversation with four state representatives from San Antonio: Democrats Diego Bernal, Ina Minjarez and Justin Rodriguez and Republican Rick Galindo. Full Story
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If state Rep. Larry Phillips gets his way, the Sunset Advisory Commission could be up for the sort of operational review it's used to dishing out to other state agencies — forcing the agency to justify its existence. Full Story
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In his most aggressive terms yet, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick excoriated Texas universities for raising their tuition in recent years, suggesting that the Texas Senate will try to limit tuition growth when it reconvenes next year. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is trying to rescue legislative reviews of state agencies from poachers in the lobby and in the Legislature itself. He says they've "made a mockery" of the process. Full Story
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