The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Workers have found mold infiltrating their desks, chairs and keyboard hand rests in the Austin State Hospital 636 building. The state has spent nearly $16,000 fighting the mold so far. Full Story
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Oldham is the third Texas nominee to be confirmed to the powerful, conservative-leaning appeals court since President Donald Trump took office. Full Story
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The new audit is yet another scandal at an agency plagued by contracting woes. Six of the commission's leaders have left in the last several months. Full Story
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The law at the center of the case is Senate Bill 8, passed in 2017, which requires the burial or cremation of fetal remains. Full Story
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Schools can pick between programs known as the school marshal program and the Guardian Plan. Here are four things to know about the two existing initiatives that allow school districts to arm their employees. Full Story
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Ahead of November’s general election, The Texas Tribune is creating an election guide with a primary focus on young Texans — and we need your help. Full Story
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State officials welcomed the news with cautious optimism. Full Story
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Government officials say they'll meet a pair of court-ordered deadlines to reunite children with their parents. But doing so, HHS Secretary Alex Azar warned, could mean relaxed standards for vetting those parents. Full Story
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Last month, Texas Republicans and Democrats approved the latest versions of their party platforms. A close look at these documents provides a snapshot of where the two parties stand on guns, gay rights, marijuana and other issues. Full Story
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A San Antonio-based panel of judges ordered the state's maps should remain unchanged despite outstanding issues with House District 90, which the U.S. Supreme Court said was illegally drawn. Full Story
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The announcement aligns neatly with Texas leadership's goal of "hardening" schools as targets. Full Story
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The special election for the remainder of his term in the central Texas district will take place on Nov. 6, the next uniform election date. Full Story
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In deep-red Texas, abortion opponents are already eyeing the new U.S. Supreme Court vacancy as a chance to push more aggressive legislation without fear of judicial override. Full Story
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Dozens of people — including children and adults in wheelchairs, parents, insurance executives, state agency officials and representatives of advocacy groups — packed the room for the latest hearing in the aftermath of a Dallas Morning News investigation into Medicaid managed care companies. Full Story
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Texas has traditionally had a weak governor's office. But Abbott's request could give him more say in how agencies operate. Full Story
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The San Antonio Democrat's sentence comes after he was convicted of 11 felonies in connection with FourWinds Logistics, a now-defunct oilfield services company found to have perpetrated a Ponzi scheme against investors. Full Story
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On June 26, 2003, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law banning gay sodomy — a watershed moment for gay rights. But 15 years later, same-sex couples face another court case that aims to roll back their rights. Full Story
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As young, educated professionals push away old ideas about how to move around Texas cities, transportation planners’ vision for the future is still largely influenced by the past. Full Story
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Former state Sen. Wendy Davis' 2013 filibuster of anti-abortion legislation was an unforgettable event for lawmakers and political observers on both sides of the aisle. Five years later, listen in as key players in the debate reflect on their longest night. Full Story
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Party delegates in Fort Worth also decided to back required paid sick leave for working Texans and oppose building a wall on the Texas-Mexico border. Many platform ideals contradict those of Republicans, who hold every statewide office and control both chambers of the Legislature. Full Story
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