Texas House passes Dallas pension overhaul with little debate
The bill sailed through the lower chamber with three amendments from a Dallas lawmaker, all of which garnered support from author State Rep. Dan Flynn. Full Story
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Lawsuit over sanctuary cities bill is just a matter of time, opponents say
Texas' attorneys will be forced to defend Senate Bill 4, the controversial "sanctuary cities" bill in court, its opponents say. Full Story
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![A group of students against SB4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, sit in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol as the bill is being debated in the Texas House on April 26, 2017]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate passes bill to eliminate most vehicle safety inspections
The Texas Senate on Thursday gave its blessing to a bill that would eliminate the state’s vehicle safety inspection requirement for most vehicles. It would still apply for commercial vehicles. Full Story
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![Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, shows his copy of the U.S. Constitution during the Open Carry Texas rally Jan. 13, 2017 at the Texas Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Watch the Texas House debate a call to amend the U.S. Constitution
The Texas House is set to debate a proposal Thursday that calls for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution — one of Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency items this legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State address, flanked by (l.-r.) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, state Sens. Donna Campbell, R-San Antonio, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and House Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers: State needs to act after black teen's death by police
In the aftermath of a police officer killing 15-year-old Jordan Edwards near Dallas, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus called on state leaders to work with legislators on police interactions and accountability. Full Story
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![State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, speaks at a Texas Legislative Black Caucus news conference on May 4, 2017, imploring state leaders to act on the recent shooting of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs outside Dallas.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Over opposition, latest tort reform bill advancing through Legislature
Trial lawyers and consumer groups say the proposed legislation would tip the balance of power heavily towards already powerful insurance companies. But tort reform advocates say it's needed to crack down on weather-related lawsuit "abuse." Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
After police shoot and kill unarmed teen, Texas lawmakers consider next steps
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of an unarmed 15-year-old by police on Saturday night, Democrats in the state Capitol have pointed to relevant bills they say could prevent similar deaths. Full Story
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![15-year-old Mesquite High School freshman Jordan Edwards (left) was shot and killed by Balch Springs police officer Roy Oliver on April 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Mesquite High School yearbook/Facebook -
With Trump on their side, Republicans hopeful for “Buy American” iron and steel bill
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 22-8 for a proposal that would expand a Buy American provision already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board to all state agencies. Full Story
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![Construction in downtown Austin's Warehouse District on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House backs Rainy Day Fund overhaul
The Texas House approved legislation Wednesday that would overhaul the way the state stows away money for tough economic times, advancing a proposal championed by Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
"Sanctuary cities" bill clears latest hurdle, heads to Abbott for signature
The Texas Senate on Wednesday voted to send to Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that would ban "sanctuary" jurisdictions in Texas and allow police to inquire about the immigration status of people they lawfully detain. Full Story
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![Protesters block the doors to the State Insurance Building, on the Capitol grounds in Austin, in protest of Senate Bill 4 — known as the "sanctuary cities" bill — on Monday, May 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House gives preliminary approval to Dallas pension overhaul
Six last-minute amendments have yet to be heard on State Rep. Dan Flynn's attempt to prevent Dallas' police and fire retirement system from going bankrupt within 10 years. Full Story
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![Texas House Pensions Committee Chairman Dan Flynn, R-Canton, listens to testimony on April 3, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Aiming to stop suicides, Texas Senate supports crackdown on cyberbullying
The state Senate Wednesday unanimously approved a bill dubbed "David's Law" that's aimed at curbing teen suicides by cracking down on cyberbullying. Full Story
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![State Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, listens to questions regarding Senate Bill 179, the anti-cyberbullying bill, on May 3, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
House easily passes bill overhauling school ratings
The Texas House passed a bill that would overhaul the controversial A-F system for grading schools, now set for implementation next school year. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, discusses a bill in the Texas House on May 3, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Sanctuary cities, bathroom politics, Abbott's take on the session (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the overnight debate over sanctuary cities, the status of the House's version of the bathroom bill and Gov. Greg Abbott's theory that this might be the best session yet. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
Texas faith leaders come out against bills targeted at LGBT Texans
A group of faith leaders gathered outside the House chamber on Wednesday to protest legislation they see as discriminatory toward LGBT Texans. Full Story
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![Members of the clergy and others supporting LGBT rights gather outside the Texas House chamber May 3, 2017 to show support for the community affected by "bathroom bill" legislation pending at the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Veterans tuition program would see only minor changes under bill approved by panel
The House Higher Education Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would largely preserve the benefit of free college tuition to veterans or one of their kids. Full Story
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![House Higher Education Committee chair State Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, listens to testimony on several bills intended to curb sexual assaults on Texas college campuses during a hearing March 22, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
How to kill a bill in 140 days (or less)
A brief guide to the legislative dark arts as the scramble to pass — and kill — bills reaches its height. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Texas might require students to pass a U.S. citizenship test. How would you do?
A bill approved by the Texas House on Wednesday would require high school students pass a version of the civics test that immigrants must take when applying for U.S. citizenship. How well would you do? Take our quiz and find out. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva / The Texas Tribune -
Bill would spur study of why more black mothers die after childbirth
Public health advocates want a state task force focused on Texas' rising maternal mortality rates to study how race, bias, prejudice and socioeconomics affect care for pregnant black women — who are disproportionately affected. Full Story
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Sandra Bland Act gets nod from Texas Senate panel
The legislation would mandate that county jails route people with mental health crises and substance abuse issues to treatment and install electronic sensors or cameras to better monitor inmates. Full Story
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![Sandra Bland, who was found dead at the Waller County Jail in 2015.]()