The latest 86th Legislative Session news from The Texas Tribune.
Gov. Greg Abbott added David Whitley to his state staff after Texas Senate Democrats refused to confirm Whitley as secretary of state. Whitley's handling of a botched voter citizenship review undermined his Senate support. But isn't the hiring a sign that the governor didn't mind? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f725080dfb90495309918881129993f0/05%20Brett%20Busby%20Oath%20MG%20TT.jpg)
The bills aim to create a "hostile environment" for human trafficking in Texas and address sexual assault, said Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing ceremony Tuesday in Dallas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6bcec553cdb63c95216690d89260115/Greg%20Abbott%20Sine%20Die%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
"We've got this," the governor tells plumbers worried as their profession faces deregulation next year in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fff9183f34d8bc650db1d1c38fd7a755/Greg_Abbott_1.jpg)
Lawmakers are gone, and the legislative season is over. Cue up the 2020 elections! Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a45d3d7389972273c285ca5bda22afe0/01%20Sine%20Die%20Weekend%20Saturday%20MG%20TT.jpg)
One bill awaiting action by the governor will require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2765f60cac59c8868a89a2954acfefa7/01_Eastland_Memorial_GR_TT.jpg)
Take a look at how Texas lawmakers reconciled major differences in their proposed two-year budgets, including funding for public schools, teacher salaries, women’s health, prison guard salaries and more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/59920d4e23a77d6469d4a329ff7a76d2/budget-comparison.jpg)
The marked difference between the 86th Legislature and its predecessors followed an election year that changed politicians' minds about who deserved their attention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc982d09e0e66438f84ef9f82af488e6/10_Texas_AFT_Public_Ed_Rally_MG.jpg)
Dennis Bonnen gaveled out on Monday with much of the same widespread support in the Texas House that accompanied his unanimous election to the speaker’s gavel in January. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f9dc933699fa001171c1eff1ada0d56/Dennis%20Bonnen%20Sine%20Die%20Weekend%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
On this week’s bonus TribCast, political reporter Patrick Svitek leads a conversation on what happened — and what's next — now that the 86th session of the Texas Legislature has adjourned. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ce121d5bd41274316e8b712e0e8773cb/TribCast%20Sine%20Die%20Special%20JF%20TT.jpg)
Texas joins 18 other states that have passed similar laws restricting access to over-the-counter cough medicines like Nyquil and Robitussin that include the ingredient dextromethorphan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f87a4f7efd360ce03e3c499612586323/Cough%20Syrup%20JF%20TT.jpg)
The Texas Legislature did a lot in the 86th regular session, especially if you judge by their spending. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5fedef2bf00b9970570a0712d44c1a5a/02%20Zerwas%20Nelson%20Budget%20Conference%20MG%20TT.jpg)
On this week’s post-legislative session TribCast, Emily talks to Alexa, Aliyya and Emma about the kumbaya legislative session, the details of school finance reform and the fate of (now former) Texas Secretary of State David Whitley. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24dd0250d6c7d8ac8734819ee2599cc5/TribCast%205_28_19%20JF%20TT.jpg)
Take a look back at the 2019 regular legislative session as seen through the lenses of Texas Tribune photographers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da7a375eb9a3e9c04c7840fa005cfa22/01%20Flower%20Capitol%20JF%20TT.jpg)
Whitley leaves his job after presiding over a botched review of the voter rolls that questioned the citizenship of thousands of eligible voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/20d3b8a3aa72922390e445682192520b/14_SOS_Whitley_Confirmation_MG.jpg)
The 86th legislative session is in the history books. Who's up and who's down after the 140-day marathon in Austin? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/26/EndSession-winlose-lead.png)
In the past, personalities got in the way of policy at the Texas Capitol. This year, state leaders refused to let that happen. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9fd86882b55f004a8a3fdf3cbcfb2a6e/04%20Big%20Three%20Presser%20HB3%20MG%20TT.jpg)
The House failed to pass legislation that would have extended the agency's existence. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f2e9e297d467fe9feacf8185ac4e479/Plumbing%20Examiners%20TT.jpg)
While lawmakers in the 86th Texas Legislature advanced measures on some controversial issues, they know it often takes several sessions to pass bills and say they intend to refile them next time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/082623ab54822a544d90f8a63d4b6795/UnderDome-13-Lead-TTSite.jpg)
Senate Bill 12 would increase state, teacher and school district contributions to the pension fund over the next six years and give retired teachers a $2,000 supplemental check. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/VOUCHERS1152.jpg)
Lawmakers behind the bills said the legislation will create a more resilient Texas and better prepare the state for storms. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/03/HARVEYADDICKSREVISITNEENA0723_TT.jpg)