Texas lawmakers send $248 billion two-year budget to Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64ab417757535c60e6d2d01b6c11aa41/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
-
![A view inside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session. The Capitol was mostly empty on opening day because of COVID-19 restrictions. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott sends state troopers, National Guard to border after increase in fentanyl seizures
Abbott said the increase in fentanyl seizures correlates with President Joe Biden taking office in January and implementing new border policies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a18a6fd9dbdc890e1a677b36b8e2805a/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A conservative Texas legislative session, with more — maybe — to come
Some conservative lawmakers are worried right now about bills falling to end-of-session deadlines, but several top Republican priorities have either crossed the finish line or are very close. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7e8b5e4f86c2e4232ed7612642c193/House%20Floor%20Budget%20Day%202021%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The House will hear dozens of bills and hundreds of amendments on the house floor on April 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he won’t doom police regulating agency to force a special session
The leader of the Senate gave himself leverage to force a special legislative session when he neglected to pass a bill to extend the life of the regulating agency for Texas law enforcement. But after blowback from the governor, Patrick said “we’re not holding anything hostage.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c9913f48565a60c3c7afdca5727b01ff/Senate%20Floor%20May%2025%20EL%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over session on the Senate floor at the state Capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment
HillCo lobbyist Rick Dennis did not slip GHB into the drinks of two legislative staffers, an investigation found. But a history of complaints against him for inappropriate behavior raises questions about how seriously the Legislature takes misconduct. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73ab4e724cc2d48635022287d49ba03a/Texas%20State%20Capitol%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A year after George Floyd’s murder, only a few of Texas lawmakers’ police reform measures appear likely to become law
Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/34abccb9de1d563bc7337470555482b2/Floyd%20Memorial%20HTX%20AM%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Candles are held up in the air during a vigil for George Floyd at Yates High School in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas schools would be required to hang "In God We Trust" signs under measure nearing passage by lawmakers
The national motto would have to be hung in a "conspicuous place" in every building on the school's campus — if someone donates the sign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64bf07129f0bce6b6e6ca0e7f35068b2/School_Segregation_Ogden_05_LS_TT.jpg)
![Corina Pannabecker teaches first grade at Ogden Elementary in San Antonio on April 30, 2018.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas lawmakers might get a second life for dying bills
As the end of the regular session approaches, Texas lawmakers — and some of their bills — are running out of time. But there's a special session coming later this year, and maybe — just maybe — another chance for dead legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c79e37f5ddf3f738fb09c4608399f8ce/Senate%20Floor%20Abbott%20Patrick%20JJ%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the Senate at the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman -
Texas GOP’s bills targeting transgender children have exacted a mental health toll, even if they don’t become law
GOP bills that sought to restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed key deadlines. But LGBTQ advocates say the mere specter that such measures could become law does mental health damage to transgender people. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac31cac631c8dd567edea69302283e8b/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Transgender rights activists gather outside the entrance to the House floor on May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Jobless Texans say Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits will worsen their already dire situations
Jobless Texans say they’re desperate to return to work, but they haven’t had any luck when applying to multiple jobs every month. For some, one month isn’t enough time to apply for and find a job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1cabfad8aede1ba983eb4823b2686e68/Business%20Closures%20EG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Mour Cafe in Austin closed its dining operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people and prohibits eating and drinking at restaurants but allows take-outs. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Allocating $16 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be part of special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Abbott already planned to call a special session later in the year for the Legislature to do its decennial redrawing of Texas political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64a79345e18d8c1338af7a0e25d61f5d/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Statewide ban on homeless encampments approved by Texas Senate
The vote comes only weeks after Austin residents voted to reinstate a local public camping ban — two years after it was lifted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0167a6e07af9439f1e08e49ef82c4df9/Winter%20Storm%20Homeless%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A homeless Austinite wears extra blankets to protect against the cold as an unprecedented winter storm grips much of Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott wants Texas to be normal again
The governor is turning the dial to "normal," in more ways than one, dissolving pandemic restrictions and minding issues of interest to Republican primary voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ea2c8a3276af4aedd4c1bedf6e880ce/Abbott%20Dallas%20Presser%20CM%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference in Dallas on unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border on March 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Carly May for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas schools will no longer require masks
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Karen and James about Gov. Greg Abbott's latest mask order and where the big bills stand in the final weeks of the legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2b8d148d7559ac36f84cf17db213b0ee/TribCast%20May%2019.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local leaders in El Paso on August 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law one of nation’s strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy
The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions intended to make the law harder to challenge are poised to be tested in the courts. Full Story
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas executed Quintin Jones for murdering his great aunt. Supporters questioned if race played a factor in his clemency rejection.
Relatives of Jones and his victim pleaded for the state to spare his life, but the Texas parole board declined. His lawyer argued that was because Jones was Black, since a white man in a similar situation was spared. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46c56ab8b2090084a470aa5475938656/Death%20Row%20Photo%20TDCJ%20BW%20TT.jpg)
![Interior of execution chamber.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
“If you are vaccinated, go for it”: Large counties roll back some pandemic-era limits as COVID-19 deaths drop statewide
Officials in Travis and Harris counties — both early adopters of pandemic restrictions — rolled some back Tuesday in an effort to allow vaccinated residents to return to pre-pandemic living. Full Story
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg. Abbott says no public schools or government entities will be allowed to require masks
While 30% of Texans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the vast majority of children are unvaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine was authorized last week for children as young as 12. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/abb78b3e792062ffae4536422184aa9a/TXST%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Two students sit under a sign encouraging students to wear a mask on the first day of classes for the fall semester at Texas State University in San Marcos on Aug. 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
The 2021 legislative session is over. Here are the big bills that passed – and the ones that failed
Texas lawmakers filed thousands of bills during the 2021 legislative session. Here are the big bills that passed – and the ones that failed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c865a6ab5955ace3de2fd8fddcd7e46/session-summary-promo-img.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Ben Hasson/The Texas Tribune -
Jobless Texans will lose all federal unemployment benefits, including extra weekly $300, after Gov. Greg Abbott opts out of the program
The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/149a47bcdd9a12f0376aba30f3b5feda/Abbott%20State%20of%20the%20State%202021%20BD%20Pool%2001.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State speech at Visionary Fiber Technologies outside of Lockhart on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30f11e7585ae7ae573a7d4c343f03ea8/Abortion%20Rally%2005-19%20EL%20TT%2004)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d54fcbc66ad8ba9dfb4c28ba1c078135/Fri%20ATX%20SoCO%20SF%20TT%2013)