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 -
Texans to Vote on Plan to Boost Road Funding
The Texas Legislature voted Saturday to ask the state's voters in November to approve a plan to boost annual transportation funding by billions of dollars. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, right, at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
On Most Visible Budget Disputes, Senate Fared Better Than House
The $209.4 billion budget sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk includes hundreds of concessions made by the House and Senate. Yet on most of the high-profile disputes, the Senate won out. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate finance chairwoman, and Rep. John Otto, the House appropriations chairman.]()
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from May 25 to 29, 2015. 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 -
Hazlewood Conundrum Lingers Into Weekend
Key lawmakers are still far from an agreement on the future of a popular college tuition program for Texas veterans and their children. If nothing is done, some lawmakers say, the program known as Hazlewood could financially cripple the state's universities. Full Story
![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 -
"Open Carry" Bill Heads to Abbott
A signature from Gov. Greg Abbott is all that remains before a bill allowing Texans to carry their handguns openly becomes law. Full Story
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![State Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, l, on the floor debating HB910 the open carry bill on the House floor May 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
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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![Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
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
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![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 -
"Cop-Stop" Language Stripped From Open Carry Legislation
A controversial provision, which law enforcement officials have said would allow criminals to carry firearms without repercussions, has been removed from a key gun bill, lawmakers confirmed Thursday. Full Story
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![Don Huffines, candidate for Texas Senate, hosts a reception at the Omni Hotel at Republican Party of Texas Convention June 5, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
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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Analysis: Disarming a Dangerous Coalition
An end-of-session deal on open carry of handguns and limits on police in Texas rescued Gov. Greg Abbott from political crossfire between law enforcement officials and an unusual coalition of liberal and conservative lawmakers. Full Story
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House Sends Franchise Tax Cut to Abbott, Defusing Veto Threat
Defusing Gov. Greg Abbott’s first public veto threat, lawmakers sent a bill cutting the business franchise tax to his desk Thursday. The House also sent Abbott a bill plugging holes in the 2014-15 budget. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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Disaster Recovery Proposal Revived in Flooding Aftermath
Surrounded by the aftermath of recent flooding, the Texas Senate has revived a measure that would make it easier for local officials to plan ahead for rebuilding after disasters. Full Story
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![A destroyed bridge over the Blanco River near Fischer Store Road near Wimberley, Texas, is shown on May 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Campus Carry Headed to Conference Committee
Significant changes limiting the reach of legislation requiring Texas universities to allow concealed handguns on campus may be in danger as House and Senate lawmakers work out their differences on the bill. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, during a debate over his campus carry bill, SB 11, on March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Open Carry Faces Filibuster Threat in Senate
State Sen. José Rodríguez said Thursday that if the opportunity arises, he plans to filibuster a bill allowing the open carry of handguns in Texas. Full Story
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![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, said he would consider a filibuster on open carry legislation during a Texas Tribune event on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Hazlewood
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, were pessimistic about the possibility of a compromise on the Hazlewood Act. Full Story
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Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Ethics Reform
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, discussed whether meaningful ethics reform will pass this session. Full Story
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Video: Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez on Open Carry
At our 5/28 conversation, state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, talked about the fate of the open carry bill — and the prospect of a filibuster. Full Story
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