The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As Texas starts to implement new laws that make it easier for distillers to make and sell their products, Gov. Rick Perry on Monday declared September "Texas Craft Spirits Month." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/29/Drinks.jpg)
On Sept. 5, Becca Aaronson talked with Dr. Esteban López of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Dr. Amelie Ramirez of the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, on health care in what will be soon be a majority-Latino state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Latin_Health_Still.jpg)
Joe Straus became speaker of the Texas House with the help of a relatively small group of Republicans who rebelled against a sitting speaker. Less than five years later, only four of them are left. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/68b5a734634e844519089507366ffe7e/BD%20INC%20Straus%207343%202013)
A measles outbreak at a church and soaring rates of whooping cough across the state are drawing renewed calls for immunization legislation, which medical professionals argue would help the state prevent public health crises. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/06/TxTrib-Immunization-007.jpg)
In this edition of the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson is hanging up his robe, and 2014 candidates are busy trying to convince potential donors they're worth an investment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/090513_Newsreel_Art.jpg)
The state’s 2014 primaries will be held using the congressional and legislative maps approved this summer by lawmakers during a special session, a federal panel of judges in San Antonio ruled Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RedistrictShapes5.jpg)
The effects of requiring voter ID probably won't be evident until March or later, opponents say. Local elections in Galveston and the Rio Grande Valley might offer clues, but the true test, they say, will be in a major statewide election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/VoterID_Requirements.jpg)
State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, acknowledged writing a law school recommendation for his son but strongly denied attempting to exert any undue influence over the admission process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/453b82b98cd186de0d2ea08cc9b878bf/BD%20INC%20Pitts%20Floor%2002%202013)
Throughout August, The Texas Tribune featured 31 ways Texans' lives would change come September, the month most bills passed by the 83rd Legislature take effect. Take a look back at our stories, videos, animations and data interactives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/30/31Days-Final.jpg)
Public schools in which 80 percent or more of the students are eligible for a free or reduced-price meal must offer a free breakfast to all students starting this school year. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/30/TxTrib-Breakfast11.jpg)
On August 27, I talked with U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Kyle Janek, executive commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services, about where the state goes next on health care. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/dallashealth_resize.jpg)
This year, Texas joined several other states that ban minors from tanning indoors. Previously, certain minors — those between 16 ½ and 18 — could tan with parental consent. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/29/Tanning-3.jpg)
Offenses like using profanity and fighting have led some Texas public school students to the courtroom. Under a new law, school police officers will not be allowed to charge students for such offenses. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/School-Stock-sized.jpg)
Texans will have to wait a little longer to find out if Wendy Davis will run for governor. The state senator said Wednesday she is postponing her decision until late September while she cares for her ailing father. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c2aaccbe3f9135c4d0adfad35229a077/BD%20INC%20Wendy%20Davis%20Presser%20353%202013%20)
At the Trib's Aug. 19 symposium on mental health at the University of Texas at San Antonio, I talked about budget and policy accomplishments in the 83rd session with state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston; David Lakey, commissioner of the Department of State Health Services; and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Mental83-Still.jpg)
A grant program that focuses on training students in fields like high-tech manufacturing and computer support is undergoing funding cuts as a result of legislation passed during this year’s regular session. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-TSTC005.jpg)
Texas animal owners can rest assured that their cows, pigs, horses — even rhinos and elephants — are protected under the state's agriculture code if they wander off of their property. But until the most recent legislative session, bison were not safe. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/bison.JPG)
A legislative staffer is claiming the state owes him thousands of dollars in legal fees for his role in a redistricting lawsuit he worked on for up to 16 hours a day while still collecting a salary as a full-time state employee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c139198e6a603fb34a38588ab879ea72/BD%20INC%20Fischer%20Transparency%20Committee%202013)
UPDATED: The Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion Friday denying compensation to Michael Blair, who was exonerated of murder charges in 2008, but is still serving time in prison for child sexual assault convictions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/MBlair.jpg)
Texas drivers will have to slow down or move over one lane when passing Texas Department of Transportation workers . This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TXDOT_ART.jpg)