The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Senate Bill 36, a priority bill for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would create an office within the Department of Public Safety focused on immigration enforcement, organized crime and threats to state infrastructure. Full Story
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El Paso’s dry climate — it rains just 9 inches annually — is one of the reasons the city has taken water management so seriously. Full Story
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Among hundreds of amendments are ones that focus on school vouchers, the attorney general’s office and the lottery commission. Full Story
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State and local health agencies are having to cut programs and staff to make up the loss and more cuts could be coming. Full Story
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State health officials added four more counties to what they consider “outbreak areas” and advise those visiting or living in those counties to consult measles vaccination guidance for those areas. Full Story
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The proposal would require counties who opt for hand counts to use ballots that can be scanned and tabulated by a voting machine. Full Story
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The legislation would put new requirements on wind and solar companies that oil and gas companies in Texas do not face. Full Story
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While Democrats and abortion access advocates pushed to ensure pregnant women aren’t criminalized, some conservatives questioned whether this bill is needed. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard presence has largely disappeared from Shelby Park, which sits next to the Rio Grande. Full Story
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The Texas Legislature is considering bills that transit officials warn could hamper public transportation in the Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth regions. Full Story
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Paxton vowed to appeal the “bogus ruling” that found he improperly fired the four plaintiffs after they reported him to the FBI on allegations of corruption. Full Story
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Attorney General Ken Paxton previously sued the City of Austin for helping residents travel out-of-state for abortions. Full Story
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The lawmakers behind the bill promised there would not be an increase in the number of days the beach is closed. Full Story
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Katherine Wells was celebrated early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then public health became a political litmus test. Full Story
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The region is still cleaning up after last week's storms in which at least six people died. Full Story
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One Senate Democrat joined Republicans, providing the margin needed to approve Justin Berry to the state law-enforcement board. Full Story
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Senate Bill 7, which won unanimous approval, is among legislation that seeks to avert a looming water crisis as the state’s population booms. Full Story
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Lottery couriers have gained newfound scrutiny in Texas after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised questions about the use of a courier to sell an $83.5 million jackpot ticket. Full Story
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Senate Bill 16 would create new barriers for voters and new burdens for election officials. Full Story
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Senate Bill 8 would require sheriffs in urban counties to enter into 287g agreements with ICE, which can then train deputies and jailers on how to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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