Chambers Settle Railroad Commission Squabble
The Railroad Commission of Texas is set to go under intense legislative scrutiny next session after all, under an agreement by state House and Senate lawmakers. Full Story
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Abbott Signals He'll Sign Cannabis Oil Bill
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Roundup: Budget, Gun Bills Crowd Abbott's Desk
In the Roundup: With the budget passed, lawmakers shifted their attention in the final weekend of the 84th Legislature to guns – sending bills to Gov. Greg Abbott that change how and where you can carry a handgun. Full Story
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Credit: Chris Daemmrich -
Hays County Groundwater Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — following an emotional week of political drama over the issue. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the floor of the House on May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Grand Jury Reform Legislation Headed to Abbott's Desk
Legislation that reforms the state's grand jury system now awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature after the House on Sunday approved a compromise between the two chambers. Full Story
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Huffman Stands by Push for "Spousal Loophole"
State Sen. Joan Huffman is facing criticism after authoring a measure allowing elected officials and bureaucrats to disclose less information about their spouses' property and financial activity. She says the change was needed to clarify an “unclear” Texas Ethics Commission rule. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Lawmaker Trivia: How Well Do You Know the Texas Senate?
For five months, you've watched lawmakers spar, shout and lob parliamentary bombs. But how well do you really know the members of the Texas Senate? Take our quiz to find out. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Bill to Rein In Hazlewood Costs Dies
Lawmakers said Saturday they were unable to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill to tighten eligibility rules for a popular veterans' tuition program. Full Story
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![Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, listens during a debate over Senate Bill 11 on March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
New Prosecution System for Politicians Advances
Texas politicians are on the verge of creating a new system for prosecuting a unique type of white-collar crime — the type that involves them. Full Story
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![Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin and Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston, discuss language to amendment for SB #11 relating to campus carry on March 18th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Major Ethics Overhaul is Declared Dead
With no collective will to expose "dark money" contributions in Texas, a major ethics overhaul died in the waning hours of the 2015 legislatives session. A few piecemeal changes are still possible before the final gavel comes down on the 84th Legislature Monday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, at a Tribune event on Dec. 11, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Proposal Would Delay Railroad Commission Scrutiny
The Railroad Commission of Texas would avoid intense legislative scrutiny until 2023 under a deal reached late Friday, a surprise six-year reprieve that rankled the oil and gas regulator’s critics. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Revised Campus Carry Bill Would Give Universities More Say
House and Senate negotiators are sending a version of "campus carry" back to their chambers that gives universities more say over where and how concealed handguns are permitted on campus. Full Story
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Lawmaker Trivia: How Well Do You Know the Texas House?
For five months, you've watched lawmakers spar, shout and run out the clock. But how well do you really know the members of the Texas House? Take our quiz to find out. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Final Bill in $3.8 Billion Tax Cut Deal Sent to Abbott's Desk
The Texas House sent the last part of a $3.8 billion tax cut deal to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk Friday. Senate Bill 1 will increase the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution. Full Story
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![Speaker Joe Straus on the floor of the Texas House on April 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Restrictions on Minors Seeking Abortions Head to Abbott
Far-reaching restrictions on when and how minors seeking abortions in Texas without parental consent can seek help from the courts are headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, are shepherding legislation to tighten the requirements on "judicial bypass," abortions.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott Signs Call to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban
Texas has officially asked Congress to lift its 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a resolution that calls the federal ban a “relic from an era of scarcity and flawed price control policies.” Full Story
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Legislature Sends $209.4 Billion Budget to Abbott
Texas lawmakers in both chambers on Friday overwhelmingly approved a $209.4 billion two-year budget, a 3.6 percent increase over the current one. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
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After Error, Hays County Groundwater Legislation Gets New Life
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells received a surprising, last-minute reprieve Thursday night — after a procedural error killed the legislation the day before. Full Story
![State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the floor of the House on May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Roundup: Guns, Border Security & #ChubASong
In the Roundup: Measures related to guns and border security all got one step closer to becoming law in these final days of the 84th Legislature, and Democrats succeeded in knocking a key bill for conservatives off the calendar. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Craddick: Bill Banning Texting While Driving is Dead
With the death of a bill that would have created a statewide texting-while-driving ban, the measure’s author said Thursday that legislators “have not done our job as lawmakers to protect the life and safety of all Texans.” Full Story
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Credit: Stefan Kloo