The latest 84th Legislative Session news from The Texas Tribune.
Legislation that would have blocked public employees from paying union or association dues with paycheck deductions failed last session. But the Senate is reopening the issue, and it could play against a powerful House chairman up for reelection next year. Full Story
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Tune in to "God & Education" — the final part of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' personal religious beliefs played into abstinence education and school voucher debates in the 2015 Texas legislative session. Full Story
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Check out "God & Marriage" — part 4 of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' personal religious beliefs drove the same-sex marriage battle during the 2015 Texas legislative session. Full Story
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Check out "God & Life" — part 3 of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' personal faith guides the abortion fight in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday began to detail interim charges for the Texas Senate, signaling he would like members to revisit some unfinished business from the most recent legislative session. Full Story
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Tune in to "God & Guns" — part 2 of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' religious beliefs played into the gun rights debate during the 2015 Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Watch Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw interview state Reps. David Simpson, R-Longview; Donna Howard, D-Austin; James White, R-Woodville; and Celia Israel, D-Austin on the role faith plays in the legislative process. Full Story
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On 10/6, I talked about the future of criminal justice policy in Texas with Derek Cohen of the Center for Effective Justice; state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso; Douglas Smith of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition; and State Rep. James White, R-Woodville. Full Story
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In the 2015 Texas legislative session, state lawmakers weren't shy about using their religious beliefs to defend their policymaking. Check out "God & Governing," our documentary series on the role lawmakers' personal faith played in their legislating. Full Story
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Anti-establishment Republicans have tried three times to knock House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, out of the top job. Now they're entering an election season nearly five dozen votes short of what they need. Full Story
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What began as an almost accidental plunge into politics for Julie McCarty has evolved into what is arguably the state’s most influential Tea Party group, supplanting some of the power held by traditional Texas centers of conservative gravity. Full Story
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After a committee confrontation and a state police investigation, there's still a question about allowing people who aren't in the Capitol to register their support or opposition to legislation: Why not? Full Story
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A Texas Rangers investigation released Tuesday found that the staff of state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, filled out witness registration forms for people who were not in the Capitol but that no one committed any prosecutable offenses. Full Story
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A state investigation that began after one House member ejected another from a hearing for allegedly signing up absent witnesses to support legislation could reach its conclusion Tuesday at a House committee hearing. Full Story
The private firm hoping to build a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston has been celebrating a summer of successes. But three years after Texas Central Partners first revealed its ambitious venture, challenges remain. Full Story
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At our 9/4 conversation, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor talked about the importance of early childhood education — and who should fund it. Full Story
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Texas has long been one of a number of states that does not require the disclosure of real estate sales prices. Yet a recent lawsuit and a proposition on the November ballot could pave the way for change, sales price disclosure proponents say. Full Story
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A soon-to-be law takes aim at "rolling voting," the practice of moving voting machines around more than usual during certain elections. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday he will not authorize more than $200 million in funds approved by the Texas Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott as he waits for Attorney General Ken Paxton to settle the issue. Full Story
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An open-seat endorsement from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick could strengthen a conservative core in the Texas Senate, and with it Patrick's position in the Legislature and the Legislature's position in state government. Full Story
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