Texas Legislature 2019

What started as unity at the top of Texas government is now in the hands of state legislators, who are better known for killing bills and changing the original intentions. Case in point: property taxes. Full Story 

Republican Fred Rangel and Democrat Ray Lopez are heading to an overtime round in the race to replace former state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. Full Story 

Voters will decide the successor to former state Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who was elected to the Texas Senate in December. Full Story 

Idaho, Maine, Nebraska and Utah voters approved Medicaid expansion through ballot initiatives. Now Texas legislators have filed bills for a vote over whether the state should expand coverage for the joint federal-state health insurance program. Full Story 

The Democratic state representative from San Antonio gave up his seat in January after being appointed Bexar County commissioner. Full Story 

The Senate panel's vote came despite fierce pushback from city and county leaders, who say a lower election threshold on increased property tax revenues could hamstring their budgets. Full Story 

In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith asks state Rep. John Zerwas, the chief budget writer in the Texas House, whether we have enough money to fund today’s priorities and tomorrow’s — and which hard choices we have to make. Full Story 

A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature's school finance bill before they vote on property taxes. Full Story 

As lawmakers debate costly investments in property tax reduction and public schools, they're eyeing the state savings account for a sizable withdrawal. Full Story 

Between his office's bungled efforts to find noncitizens among the state's registered voters and Democrats pouncing on state actions they believe are targeted at Hispanics and other groups, Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's confirmation is in peril. Full Story 

In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the chairman of the Senate Property Tax Committee, about off-the-charts appraisals and off-the-leash local officials — and whether his reform plan has the votes to pass. Full Story 

At his confirmation hearing, Whitley faced tough questioning from Democrats over his decision to erroneously question the citizenship status of tens of thousands of voters. Full Story 

After last year's massacre at Santa Fe High School, survivors told lawmakers the school safety measures they want to see enacted during this year's legislative session. How many of them will become law? Full Story 

The secretary of state's office has faced criticism for its handling of efforts to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered voters. Now, Secretary of State David Whitley — a Gov. Greg Abbott appointee — faces a confirmation hearing. Full Story 

Republican David Whitley faces questions from Democrats about how he handled an attempt to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered Texas voters. Full Story 

In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections. Full Story 

What Texas Gov. Greg Abbott didn't say in Tuesday's State of the State speech was important. School finance and property taxes were the big issues before the speech — and Abbott didn't stray from those subjects. Full Story 

The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat. Full Story 

Two years after a bail reform bill died in the Legislature, new bail legislation has other factors working in its favor. Full Story 

Abbott stayed on message about education and taxes, and touched on school safety, disaster response and mental health programs. Full Story