Texas lawmakers get legislative session going (video)
In the Roundup: Lawmakers gathered in Austin this week to begin the 85th Texas legislative session, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fires back at criticism of the "bathroom bill." Full Story
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Texas educators criticize discrepancies between new A-F and past ratings
Educators argue the preliminary A-F grades contradict past distinctions they have received from the state. Proponents of the new rating system say it more accurately represents how schools are doing. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Benjamin Hasson -
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott asks religious groups to help foster families
In a joint letter released Thursday, Abbott and the Department of Family and Protective Services urged congregations to rally a “network of nurture” to support foster families with donations and other activities. Full Story
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![First Lady Cecilia Abbott with Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush at a Texas Alliance for Life rally on Jan. 24, 2015, at the Texas Capitol.]()
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With funding tight, legislators weigh options on school finance
With funding tighter than the previous legislative session, lawmakers are not expected to inject much more money into public education. For now, some are backing a plan to increase money to all school districts through the general appropriations bill. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick on the budget, school choice and the bathroom bill (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 1/11 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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Welcome to the 85th Legislature (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Aman about the start of the 85th Texas Legislature: the Speaker's race, a smaller-than-usual budget and the lieutenant governor's priorities. Full Story
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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
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during January 11, 2017 Tribune Conversation]()
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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
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![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 -
In 150-0 vote, Texas House backs Speaker Joe Straus for record-tying fifth term
San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was re-elected unanimously by House members Tuesday for a fifth term, joining former House Speakers Pete Laney and Gib Lewis for the longest tenures presiding over the House. Full Story
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![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 -
Dan Patrick announces he's running for re-election
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formally announced Monday he's running for re-election, looking to finally quell speculation he's interested in higher office. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a press conference in Austin on Monday to announce he's running for re-election.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick uncertain if "votes are there" for constitutional carry gun bill
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he was uncertain whether support exists in the Legislature for so-called "constitutional carry," which would give all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The will of the voters — when the Legislature agrees
The so-called "bathroom bill" unveiled by Republican leaders last week is the latest piece of legislation that would overwrite local laws with state regulations cooked up in Austin. Full Story
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![State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discuss details of a so-called "bathroom bill" on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Citing "bathroom bill," Percy Jackson author declines Legislature invitation
Author Rick Riordan is declining to attend the Texas Legislature’s celebration of authors event, saying the reason is because of the proposed "bathroom bill." Full Story
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With "bathroom bill," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick plows into "tough fight"
While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called a so-called bathroom bill a legislative priority, the issue has largely cooled off on the national stage and opposition to similar legislation in Texas had begun to gain momentum. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst unveil the text of Senate Bill 6, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and universities based on “biological sex,” on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
Texas reproductive rights groups brace for Legislature
Reproductive rights advocates have expressed concern that Texas lawmakers will take bolder steps in the upcoming session to defund abortion providers and dismantle access to abortion, birth control and other sexual health services. Full Story
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![Protesters of Texas' fetal remains burial rule gather outside the Governor's Mansion on Jan. 6, 2017.]()
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What to watch for in the 2017 Texas Legislative Session (video)
Watch the Tribune's Ross Ramsey explain what lawmakers will focus their attention on during the state's five-month legislative session, which starts Jan. 10. Full Story
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Five stories that marked 2016 in Texas politics
It may have been the offseason for the Texas Legislature, but there was still ample news coming from state officials, much of which will reverberate through the legislative session starting in January. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gave the opening speech at the state republican convention in Dallas, Texas on May 12, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
School finance, testing fiasco topped 2016 education news
School districts lost a court case that could have forced the state to reform its school finance system, and federal officials toured Texas to investigate claims that special education services were arbitrarily capped. Full Story
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![Protesters at a press conference held by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in May, 2016 calling on Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Kent Scribner to resign over the district's bathroom guidelines for transgender students.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: On transgender Texans and bathrooms, a call to stay calm
Some Texas lawmakers were in a hurry to require transgender Texans to use the restrooms that match the genders listed on their birth certificates. But the policy and politics are complicated enough to prompt the governor to tap the brakes. Full Story
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![An accessible unisex bathroom at The University of Texas at Austin.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
When asked, won't tell: top three officials duck specifics on illegal hiring
The state's top elected officials are happy to go on about border security, but they get tongue tied if the conversation turns to cracking down on employers of undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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Credit: Texas Tribune staff