Civil asset forfeiture debate pits property rights advocates against Texas law enforcement
Critics say the procedure deprives citizens of property without due process. Law enforcement officials say they are stopping crime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/02/Dinero_TT.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Abbott's professor recruitment program could lose funding
Draft budgets by both the Texas House and Senate have zeroed out funding for the Governor's University Research Initiative, a project started by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/19/EduWorkForce031TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to a large crowd of state leaders at the Texas Education & Workforce Summit Sept. 19, 2016 at the AT&T Center.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: The Texas legislative tales that (almost) got away
The big bills and arguments and personalities in the Texas Legislature catch most of the attention and headlines, but little things deserve their time in the spotlight, too. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9719.jpg)
![House Ways and Means Chair Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, speaks with House Appropriations Chair John Otto, R-Dayton, and House Administration Chair Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, on the House floor on May 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Sandra Bland Act would change processes for law enforcement, jails
The bill's proposals include limiting police searches during stops, adding reporting requirements for racial profiling and creating an independent ombudsman to monitor inmates' rights and services. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/02/Coleman_Sandra_Bland_Act2_TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, announces the Sandra Bland Act at a press conference at the Capitol on March 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmaker wants to give Texas psychologists power to write prescriptions
A bill from state Rep. Dustin Burrows would let some Texas psychologists write prescriptions. Supporters say the move would ease a shortage of psychiatrists, currently the only mental health doctors allowed prescription privileges. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/perscription-bottle.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
With money tight, will Texas leaders use the state’s savings account?
Facing a shortage of cash, will Texas lawmakers tap the $10 billion piggybank known as the Rainy Day Fund? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PiggyBankBudget.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Watch the Texas Senate debate child welfare overhaul
Texas Senate lawmakers are debating legislation Wednesday that seeks to overhaul Texas' child welfare system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/12/ACS_jw_04.jpg)
![Children play on the outdoor playground.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Watch the Texas House debate child welfare overhaul
The Texas House is in the middle of an intense debate over a proposal that would bar undocumented Texans taking care of abused or neglected children in their families from receiving state funds that would be available to other families. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/20/Mercedes_Bristol_TT.jpg)
![Mercedes Bristol, 62, of San Antonio, at the Capitol with her five grandchildren after testifying to the House Human Services Committee on Feb. 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Marissa Evans -
Analysis: With opposition to vouchers, public ed chairman is protecting legislators from voters
Lawmakers rarely get blamed for votes that never take place, and that's the basis for one of the oldest protection rackets in the legislative toolkit: Killing a controversial bill before it comes to the full House or Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/28/_95I3120_Huberty_8.jpg)
![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Humble, newly appointed chair of the House Education Committee, talks public education at TTEvents on Feb. 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Businesses oppose legislation limiting public information exemptions
Businesses opposed SB 407 and SB 408 at a public hearing, arguing that open records requests could put them at a competitive disadvantage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/15/7C2A9622.jpg)
![Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin during a February 15, 2017 Senate Committee on Health and Human Services]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Senate approves convention of states legislation
The Texas Senate approved a resolution Tuesday calling for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution, one of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's four emergency items. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/7C2A4747.jpg)
![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 -
Top Republican counsels against secret taping
After unconfirmed reports that House members were recording private conversations with colleagues, the Republican who oversees internal affairs in the chamber said he's asked members to refrain from any surreptitious taping. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/25/_S3R6408Geren.jpg)
![State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Ft. Worth, chairman of the House Administration Committee, looks toward the gallery while House members watch severe weather during debate on May 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Huberty on school finance, school choice, A-F (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/28 conversation with state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/_95I3053TT.JPG)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Rise in Texas maternal deaths absent from legislative agenda
Texas’ maternal deaths have been sparingly mentioned during the legislative session, overshadowed by issues such as child welfare, the so-called “bathroom bill” and sanctuary cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/01/07/Pregnant-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Philippe Put -
Texas lawmakers call for financial sanctions in response to Baylor rape scandal
State Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, called for a criminal investigation and state financial sanctions against Baylor University in response to the ongoing sexual assault scandal at the school. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/02/UP9A6248.jpg)
![The exterior of McLane Stadium at Baylor University]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Turner on pensions, recapture and sanctuary cities (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/27 conversation with Sylvester Turner, the mayor of Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/SylTurner123TT.JPG)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Analysis: In bathroom bill, politics disguised as policy
As policy, the proposed regulations for transgender Texan's restroom choices have some gaping holes. The politics, however, are easy to understand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/28/bathroomvoters.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
Texas proposal would keep cities from restricting short-term home rentals
Senate Bill 451 would prevent Texas cities from banning or restricting short-term home rentals. Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth are among the cities that have enacted such restrictions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/24/Air_BnB_Mariana.jpg)
![Homes on Garden Street in Austin on Feb. 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Anchia and Huffines on how legislative issues impact Dallas (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 2/24 conversation with state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and state Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribEventDallas_012.JPG)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Analysis: On child protection, the money might be the hardest part
The safety net for Texas children has some big holes in it, and most lawmakers want that fixed. But it's going to cost money — a harder sell in a conservative Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/23/Ross_Column_Friday_2_24_TT.jpg)
![Women "walk the track" on a stretch of Bissonnet Street in Houston. Pimps gather nearby in fast food and strip mall parking lots as potential johns circle and standard traffic passes through.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune