Texas Legislature 2019

The new House speaker discussed school finance in an interview with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith in Lake Jackson. Full Story 

Two Democrats and 14 Republicans will chair the upper chamber's committees. Full Story 

We're livestreaming our conversation with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen in Lake Jackson. Full Story 

The idea of tying a portion of funding to test scores appeals to some who want to improve student performance, but it enrages educators who say it will encourage teaching to the test. Full Story 

Texas leaders are promising property tax relief during this year's legislative session. It's unlikely that will lower your taxes, but it might slow future increases. Full Story 

The Texas House wants to give the state prison system $160 million more to help care for inmates. The Senate wants to cut funding. Full Story 

Meet the 86th: Watch our interview with new state Sens. Carol Alvarado, Pete Flores, Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell, moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story 

State leaders have promised to tackle school safety this session, and lawmakers are expected to push bills that would beef up mental health screening programs and make it easier to arm teachers. Full Story 

In July, Bonnen was a House member with $707,000 in his war chest. After he announced for House Speaker and became the favorite to succeed Joe Straus, he was getting more than $150,000 in donations per day. Full Story 

On this week’s TribCast, Ross talks to Alex, Aliyya and Patrick about the inaugurations of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick, proposed state budgets with big money for schools and the first Texan to enter the 2020 presidential race. Full Story 

The state's top leaders have been saying for weeks that they are in sync, and here's the surprise: Their initial proposals look like they are actually in sync. Full Story 

Two rival budget proposals offer a starting point for debate between the two chambers on public school funding and property tax relief. Full Story 

The two top statewide elected officials were sworn in Tuesday to second terms at the helm of Texas government. Full Story 

Senate leaders say they will require districts to use the money to give $5,000 raises to each teacher. Full Story 

For the few months of each new 140-day legislative session, the respective chambers typically adjourn after meeting for less than an hour. There are several reasons lawmakers can't get off to a faster start. Full Story 

After winning re-election in November, both Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are embarking on their second, four-year term. Watch their swearings-in and inaugural speeches here. Full Story 

Rodriguez, a San Antonio Democrat, was appointed earlier this month to fill a seat on the Bexar County Commissioners Court. Full Story 

There's a lot of work that goes on at the State Capitol even before lawmakers gavel in. This "Under the Dome" episode takes you through the behind-the-scenes start of the 86th Texas Legislature. Full Story 

A bill authored by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would make it a felony to threaten a romantic partner into taking on debt or financing expensive items like cars. Full Story 

Amid uncertainty about the federal health law, state legislators will tackle a variety of issues during the session, from abortion to mental health to opioids to funding for Medicaid. Full Story