Point of Order: The long goodbye
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Donna Howard and state Sen. Kel Seliger about sniping and snark on the road to sine die. Full Story
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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
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![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 -
Point of Order: Republican state Rep. Lyle Larson, party of one
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Lyle Larson about his quixotic efforts to move his fellow Republicans to the center on issues like Medicaid expansion, local control and election law — to put the public good ahead of politics and partisanship, he says. Full Story
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Texas Legislature close to approving billions to pay for winter storm financial fallout
Several billions of dollars in state-approved financing will be necessary to stabilize the state’s distressed energy market after the winter storm. Texas approves more in finance bailouts for its utilities than any other state. Full Story
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![Electrical workers repair a power line in Austin on Feb. 18, 2021. Many Texas residents are still without power, and many don't have clean drinking water or working water at all.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores 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
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![Corina Pannabecker teaches first grade at Ogden Elementary in San Antonio. Bexar County's school districts are among the most segregated in the state, with boundary lines historically drawn to consolidate resources. San Antonio ISD is working to create more socioeconomic and racial diversity through public school choice measures.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature passes bill that would outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned
Called a “trigger” law, House Bill 1280 would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned the Roe decision or after a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit abortions. Full Story
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![A protester holds up a sign in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on the morning the court takes up a major abortion case focusing on whether a Texas law that imposes strict regulations on abortion doctors and clinic buildings interferes with the constitutional right of a woman to end her pregnancy, in Washington March 2, 2016.]()
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Texas lawmakers split over how long to extend Medicaid health coverage for new mothers
Maternal health advocates said the bill — originally pitched as a one-year extension — could reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate and offer vital help to mothers with conditions like postpartum depression or health complications in the months after giving birth. Full Story
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![Patients wait to be seen at the People's Community Clinic in Austin, which provides state-subsidized women's health services to low-income women, July 15, 2014.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ divisive bill limiting how students learn about current events and historic racism passed by Senate
The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught. Full Story
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![Students leave the classroom to work in the computer lab at Mata Intermediate School.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Bill legalizing permitless carry of handguns in Texas on brink of passage after compromise reached
The agreement advances the legislation even closer to becoming law. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign such a proposal. Full Story
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![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Evan L'Roy/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
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![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
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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
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Lawsuit seeks to block Lubbock’s ordinance aimed at outlawing abortions
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas are suing over the West Texas city’s “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance. Full Story
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![Kids hold signs supporting Proposition A at the corner of Indiana and 82nd Street in Lubbock on May 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas senator overhauls House bail bill to keep more people in jail if they can’t post cash bonds
Legislative attempts to reform bail in Texas are likely headed for a closed-door showdown over the different approaches the House and Senate each devised. Full Story
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![An Austin Bail Bonds II sign near Interstate 35 on Feb. 5, 2021.]()
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Texas Senate resumes push to ban transition-related medical care for transgender children, days after bill failed in House
Days after the House failed to pass a ban against gender confirmation medical care, the Senate pushed its own attempt forward. Full Story
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![Ali Cross of the Austin Cheer squad waves a trans flag while her squad mates hold her up on the steps of the state Capitol at a rally against anti-trans legislation on April 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Prospects for many Texas House bills dim if they’re not passed today. Here’s what you need to know.
By midnight Friday, House members have to grant preliminary approval to many bills originated in the lower chamber. There's likely not enough time to get to them all. But there are ways to revive measures so they still become law. Full Story
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![The House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After Texas House rejects Senate changes, bill allowing permitless carrying of handguns will get hashed out behind closed doors
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Full Story
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![Hundreds of handguns and rifles for sale at McBride’s Gun’s in Central Austin on April 20, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A Texas legislative session dominated by conservative issues
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Alexa, Cassi and Patrick about proposals in the Legislature to add new restrictions on voting and to allow the permitless carry of handguns. Full Story
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![State Rep, Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, speaks in support on Senate Bill 7 on the House floor on May 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Push to bring casinos to Texas appears headed for defeat this session despite high-profile campaign
A key deadline passed Monday without action in the Texas House on casino legislation backed by the gaming empire Las Vegas Sands. A measure to allow sports gambling looks similarly doomed. Full Story
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![Gamblers play slot machines during the reopening of The D hotel-casino, closed by the state since March 18, 2020, as part of steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
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Texas public schools couldn’t require critical race theory lessons under bill given House approval
House Bill 3979 is part of a national effort by red-state legislatures to ban or limit the teaching of critical race theory. That academic discipline examines how racism has shaped legal and social systems within the United States. Full Story
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![High school students walk to their next class after the bell rings at Elsik Ninth Grade Center in Houston on March 28, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune
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