The latest Texas Senate news from The Texas Tribune.
Nelson’s former colleagues in the Senate gave her resounding approval, avoiding another embarrassment for Gov. Greg Abbott, whose last three nominations for secretary of state did not receive confirmation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5eb2cac318866482db92d9d9abe96107/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20JV%20TT%2007.jpg)
If Texas’ budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Here’s how to put the big number into perspective. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3922a316909b9d00ad3eba871cbae39/budget-surplus-lede-art.png)
Gun policy reform is the best way to address school safety, according to experts on a panel in Austin. They also cautioned against doubling down on surveillance technology. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51889144bf0d15cbc39961cd988b0705/0906%20First%20Day%20of%20School%20S1%20EL%2002.jpg)
State Sen. Joan Huffman filed a bill that would repeal a provision that allowed longtime lawmakers to increase their yearly take-home income by $140,000 by collecting pension payments without retiring. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74a14d908f4071d59b5f2ff97e8e0fa4/Senator%20Floor%20Huffman.jpg)
In an interview with the Tribune, the governor also backed criminalizing some health care treatments for transgender kids and shrugged off the idea that he’s in a conservative policy rivalry with Ron DeSantis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f9fcb0295009aaac620c5337d1aa02c/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20EL%20TT%2035.jpg)
Look up information about every statewide elected official, every member of the Texas Legislature and every Texan in Congress and see who represents you. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22fe8fb60b9794503a08cac73b214798/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20EL%20TT%2006.jpg)
State lawmakers have rejected dozens of bills that would have prevented people from legally obtaining weapons used in many mass shootings. Instead, they’ve made it easier for residents to get guns and harder for local governments to regulate them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c94a926a58c33ba49308732918694893/20230216%20tx%20shootings%20el%20paso.jpg)
Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Stephanie Muth told lawmakers Friday the agency will require a different set of skills from its employees as it changes how foster children’s cases are managed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4978ec80a9d82cb78046a8a6adde6628/DFPS%20Trans%20Youth%20Hearing%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
Schwertner, a Georgetown Republican, was booked into the Travis County jail at 2:12 a.m. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/182b13aa31fd64e11976115185d04d4a/0207%20Sen%20Charles%20Schwertner%20Perp%20Walk%20EL%2003.jpg)
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance threw its weight behind new legislation Monday to let voters decided whether to legalize online sports betting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f7e4e3090581e39a88bafb90d2764d8/Senate%20Action%20SP%2038%20TT.jpg)
Conservative activists have pushed for legislative leaders to ban Democrats from leading committees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6e2f64a85fcebf5a243b5b3ccba29531/Senate%20Filibuster%20SP%20TT%2067.jpg)
We would like to know more about what you’re seeing in your community to help guide our reporting during the 88th legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/13e56e69caa3adc922f5d581fdb4458d/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%2006.jpg)
For the third straight legislative session, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston, has filed a bill to end Confederate Heroes Day as a state holiday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8586467ec20aea0936b798a2a27bda7a/Terrys_Texas_Ranger_Confederate_Statue_1910_State_Capitol_MG_TT.jpg)
After redistricting, the state constitution requires senators to draw lots to determine which half of the chamber will have four-year terms and which will have two-year terms. This keeps Senate district elections staggered every two years for the rest of the decade. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8c07cf6bcc363846d267d6f42790af4c/Capitol%20Stock%20KC%20TT%2004.jpg)
The redistricting process this year is mostly procedural and is not expected to produce very different results from the most recent process completed in 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/79e590b6dee93ac23d642d09bf635974/Senate%20Floor%20SP%20TT%2001.jpg)
In the 2023 legislative session that convened Tuesday, 70% of lawmakers are men. More than half of the Senate and House members are white, and nearly half are white men. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1fa20899646dd43ee87c3bc10d0e9831/0110%20%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
Look up information about every statewide elected official, every member of the Texas Legislature and every Texan in Congress and see who represents you. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/10ccfdf5a2728929cf1371f4cd52a98b/House%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Texas Tribune is streaming the 2023 legislative session live from the Texas House and Senate chambers. The session runs from Jan. 10 to May 29. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/edfc9b8b54d6eb5381e4a4bf7af4cf16/texastribune-placeholder.jpg)
The move to take news reporters off the Senate floor was implemented in 2021 as a COVID-19 precaution, but an official said Friday the measure would continue in the upcoming session. Full Story
Republican Adam Hinojosa conceded Friday after a recount that included three counties in Senate District 27, the most competitive senate district in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9aa658fe1569b6f88af738ff4ec30056/TX%2027%20Dem%20Candidates%20VC%20TT%2021.jpg)