Dan Patrick makes only one change atop Senate committees
Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Senate-Chamber.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Rick Mach -
Joe Straus: Legislators need to be careful when it comes to "bathroom bill"
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus told the Texas Association of Business that the "bathroom bill," a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was not his most urgent concern for the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Straus_SpeaksTT.jpg)
![Rep. Joe Straus makes remarks after being being sworn in for his fifth term as speaker of the Texas House on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Legislators start with a $5.3 billion difference of opinion
In their first-day numbers, the Texas Legislature's two chambers didn’t even agree on the size of the current budget. The House baked in some supplemental expenses that the Senate left that out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Money-Capitol-3d-Budget.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
How one transgender boy sees the "bathroom bill" debate (video)
A new bill would mandate that people use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” A business group and families with transgender members are working to oppose it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/12/Bathroom_Thumbnail.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Qiling Wang -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fires back at criticism over "bathroom bill"
Patrick continued to fire back Wednesday at criticism of the so-called "bathroom bill" he has championed, saying its opponents are concentrated in the media. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/11/UP9A0032.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during January 11, 2017 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Slideshow: 85th Texas Legislature kicks off
The Texas Tribune's photographers were on hand at the state Capitol on Tuesday to capture scenes from the opening day of the 85th Legislative Session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Rolando_Pablo_SOS_TT.jpg)
![Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos gavels in the 85th Legislature on January 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers focus on friendship on legislative session's first day
With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/UP9A0015_preacher.jpg)
![A man preaches in the Capitol rotunda before the start of the 85th Texas Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Cotera for the Texas Tribune -
Get all your 85th Texas legislative news in one place
As state lawmakers kick off the 85th Legislative Session on Tuesday, you can use our session page to watch livestreams of the floor action and stay caught up on all the news from the session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/09/TXT_742801.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Analysis: Take it from Texas — an election sweep carries no guarantee
Winning isn't everything when it comes to party control. If it was, Texas lawmakers would have nothing to do. But they still have plenty to fight about, and Republicans in Washington, D.C., will, too. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/15/IMG_9835.jpg)
![The 84th legislative session ran from Jan. 13 through Jun. 1. State lawmakers enhanced gun rights, allowed epilepsy patients to use medicinal cannabis oil and outlawed local bans on fracking.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Status quo holds in the Texas Senate
The makeup of the Texas Senate is poised to remain the same in 2017 after Tuesday night's election. Republicans' 20-to-11 advantage didn't change. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/10/08/TT-ingodwetrust.jpg)
![A look at the dais on the Texas Senate floor on Oct. 8, 2015.]()
Credit: Emily Albracht -
Analysis: High property taxes start in Austin, not in school districts
State lawmakers complain that local property taxes need to be leashed. But state lawmakers are more responsible for the increases than they let on. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/21/TxTrib-LanierClass-Sized.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Amid GOP fears of Trump effect down-ballot, Texas Senate races unaffected
Even with the presidential race closer than normal, Democrats have little chance to gain ground in the Republican-dominated Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-83rd008.jpg)
![The Texas Senate on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/05/Birdwell_and_Frazier_Ethics.jpg)
![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 -
At Education Panel, GOP Pitches Private School Choice
At a marathon hearing of the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, GOP senators debated how, not whether, to give Texas families taxpayer money to pay for private, religious or home schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/16/_Education0636CMS_committee.jpg)
![The Senate Education Committee interim hearing at the Texas Capitol Aug. 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Welcome to the Home Stretch of the 2016 Texas Elections
It’s both unofficial and traditional to call Labor Day the beginning of the intense action in a general election year, and it still carries a shred of truth. The slates are set. Summer vacations are over. This election is on. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Horse_Race_TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Analysis: Hot at the Top of the 2016 Texas Ballot, Cool at the Bottom
That big political race on the surface hides a very quiet state ballot down below. In fact, a surprising number of the members of the Legislature and of the Texas delegation to Congress face no major-party opposition in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9754.jpg)
![The House of Representatives on May 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Miles Nominated to Replace Ellis for Houston Senate Seat
State Rep. Borris Miles of Houston has captured the Democratic nomination to replace state Sen. Rodney Ellis, putting him on track to win the seat in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/07/16/Ellis_Miles.jpg)
![Outgoing state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and state Rep. Borris Miles, D-Houston, chosen by a majority of precinct chairs to replace him.]()
-
Analysis: No Political Benefit if Voters Can't Feel Property Tax Relief
Texas lawmakers want to get a leash on property taxes, which requires them to restrain local governments. The local governments point to expensive state government mandates that drive up their costs. It's hard to fix blame, or credit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/12/07/BD7_6507Bettencourt.JPG)
![Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers Seek Roadmap For Ride-Hailing Regulation
State lawmakers are poised to discuss ride-hailing for the second time in two weeks on Thursday, attention many expect to carry into the upcoming legislative session as some legislators attempt to wrest regulatory power from cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/15/RideHailApp-Lege.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Ståle Grut / Flickr -
With Uber and Lyft Gone, Ride-Hailing Startups Swarm Austin
Less than a month after Uber and Lyft left Austin over the city's regulations, at least six new companies offering similar services have launched in the city and are fighting for market share. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/06/RideShareReplacements.jpg)
![Since Uber and Lyft left Austin, the city has opened its doors to an influx of new companies including Arcade City, getme, RideAustin, InstaRyde, zTrip, Wingz, Fasten and Fare.]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman