The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Check out full video from our conversation on race and education at the Texas Tribune symposium on race. Panelists include former Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell and San Antonio ISD Assistant Superintendent Olivia Hernandez. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz urged state lawmakers Friday to take on school choice this session, adding his voice to what is likely to be a tough battle for education reformers under the pink dome. Full Story
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Educators argue the preliminary A-F grades contradict past distinctions they have received from the state. Proponents of the new rating system say it more accurately represents how schools are doing. Full Story
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News of a possible wind farm development near a northwest Texas Air Force base has raised concerns about protecting military properties from outside development. Related legislation is poised to be a part of this legislative session. Full Story
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday it was ending the "wet foot/dry foot" policy, in place since the mid-1990s, that had allowed Cubans who arrived at U.S land ports to be given immediate legal status. Full Story
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Rep. Charlie Geren, the powerful Fort Worth Republican pushing ethics reform in the Texas House this year, is determined not to let a fight over so-called "dark money" torpedo the effort as it did in 2015. Full Story
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State Sen. Kel Seliger and state Rep. Dan Huberty have filed bills that would keep individual graduation committees, which allow students to graduate even if they fail required exams. The law creating these committees will expire in September. Full Story
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In his biggest six-month fundraising haul since he took office two years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott raised $9 million in the second half of last year, according to his team. Full Story
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This week, a judge scheduled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial on criminal securities fraud for May 1. Use this timeline to to keep up with the legal and political drama. Full Story
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On the same day that Texas House Republicans doubled down on border security efforts and announced plans to send an invoice to the federal government, Senate Democrats said they were committed to fighting bills to eliminate sanctuary cities. Full Story
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Full video of Evan Smith's 1/11 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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State Rep. Matt Schaefer, a Tyler Republican, proposed a rule Wednesday requiring people in the Capitol to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex during a House floor debate. Full Story
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Patrick continued to fire back Wednesday at criticism of the so-called "bathroom bill" he has championed, saying its opponents are concentrated in the media. Full Story
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While his fellow Texans, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, predicted Tillerson would serve the country well as the next U.S. secretary of state, others expressed deep reservations about his position on Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Full Story
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In 2015, state lawmakers approved $800 million for border security efforts. But the election of Donald Trump as president has some Republican lawmakers thinking there will be a change in spending plans this session. Full Story
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The former Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful wished the president-elect success during remarks at Texas A&M University on Tuesday evening. Full Story
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Travis County prosecutors will ask a grand jury to indict State Rep. Dawnna Dukes next Tuesday, KXAN reported Tuesday. Full Story
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With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday. Full Story
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San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was re-elected unanimously by House members Tuesday for a fifth term, joining former House Speakers Pete Laney and Gib Lewis for the longest tenures presiding over the House. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, raised questions on Tuesday as to whether any Americans cooperated with Russian intelligence in the hack that hobbled the Hillary Clinton campaign last year. Full Story
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