Poor Texans left in dark as state electricity aid program ends
Low-income Texans are struggling to come to grips with the demise of a longstanding program that helped them pay their electricity bills. Full Story
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![Mary Garcia at her home in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 22, 2016.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Straus approaches session without a challenger for speakership
With a week until the 85th Legislative Session begins, House Speaker Joe Straus is without something he has had before every session since he first took the helm of the chamber: a challenger for the gavel. Full Story
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![Joe Straus, Texas Speaker of the House, at an 85th Legislative Session preview at the Dallas Regional Chamber on Sept. 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers file bills to plug "loopholes" keeping government contracts secret
A pair of Texas lawmakers have filed legislation aiming to plug what they called major “loopholes” in public records law that have left taxpayers in the dark about key details of some contracts involving public funds. Full Story
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Lawmaker seeks to pass "constitutional carry" gun bill in 2017
House Bill 375 would give all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit. If passed, Texas would be the 11th state to allow "constitutional carry." Full Story
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What to watch for in the 2017 Texas Legislative Session (video)
Watch the Tribune's Ross Ramsey explain what lawmakers will focus their attention on during the state's five-month legislative session, which starts Jan. 10. Full Story
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Texas blocking funds to Planned Parenthood, 3 Texans in Trump Ag Secretary hunt (video)
In the Roundup: Texas cutting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the Texas Electoral College casts most of its vote for President-elect Donald Trump and three Texans said to be on Agriculture Secretary shortlist. Full Story
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Abandoned Texas oil wells seen as "ticking time bombs" of contamination
Texas is among several states grappling with a surge of abandoned drilling sites and dwindling funds to clean them up. Full Story
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![Ty Edwards, assistant general manager of the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District, points to brackish water flowing from one of several flowing abandoned wells— originally drilled for oil, but later used for irrigation — that no state agency plans to plug.]()
Credit: Rafael Aguilera for The Texas Tribune -
Trump, women's health, child welfare top Texas news in 2016
Here’s a look at the top health and human services storylines The Texas Tribune tracked this year. Full Story
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![Jill Ramirez, the director of outreach for the Latino Healthcare Forum, passes out flyers and explains components of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 5, 2013. With Donald Trump's election to the White House, the health law faces an uncertain future.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: On transgender Texans and bathrooms, a call to stay calm
Some Texas lawmakers were in a hurry to require transgender Texans to use the restrooms that match the genders listed on their birth certificates. But the policy and politics are complicated enough to prompt the governor to tap the brakes. Full Story
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![An accessible unisex bathroom at The University of Texas at Austin.]()
Credit: Qiling Wang/The Texas Tribune -
Trump selects Perry to lead U.S. Department of Energy (video)
In the Roundup: Donald Trump selects former Gov. Rick Perry to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, Gov. Greg Abbott takes a wait-and-see approach on anticipated bathroom legislation and Attorney General Ken Paxton takes on a new fight over Christmas. Full Story
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Backers hopeful Texas ready to screen welfare recipients for drug use
While Texas already has some of the strictest eligibility requirements in the country for welfare benefit applicants, some lawmakers plan to try again next year to add required drug screenings or testing to the process. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
When asked, won't tell: top three officials duck specifics on illegal hiring
The state's top elected officials are happy to go on about border security, but they get tongue tied if the conversation turns to cracking down on employers of undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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Analysis: Why rising property values don’t lower school taxes
Rising property values in Texas should have lowered school property tax rates. But they didn't, and you can thank the folks who write the state budget for that. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott on proposed bathroom legislation: Wait and see
Gov. Greg Abbott is adopting a wait-and-see approach about anticipated legislation that would prohibit transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the Convention of States gathering at the Texas Capitol on Dec. 6, 2016]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The state’s declining support for public education in Texas
Had the state kept its share of school funding constant for the past 10 years, voters might not be griping about rising property taxes. The state is spending more than it used to, but it's spending less per student. Full Story
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![Chairman of House Committee on Public Education Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, on April 14th, 2015.]()
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A&M protests white nationalist speaker, businesses oppose anti-LGBT bills (video)
In the Roundup: Protesters turn up for a white nationalist speaker at Texas A&M University, a business lobbying group says anti-LGBT bills will hurt the Texas economy and Gov. Greg Abbott calls for a convention of states. Full Story
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Analysis: The challenge of making a property tax cut pitch pay off in Texas
It's hard to get property tax relief out of a state government that does not levy a property tax. But it's tempting turf for politicians in Texas, and they're going to try again when they meet in January. Full Story
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Patrick's bathroom priority is schools, incoming senator says
An incoming state senator suggested Thursday that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will focus on schools, not businesses or sporting venues, with his "bathroom bill." Full Story
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![Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith moderated "A Conversation with Dawn Buckingham" on April 21, 2016.]()
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Video: A conversation with Dawn Buckingham & Hugh Shine
Watch video of our conversation with state Sen.-elect Dawn Buckingham and state Rep.-elect Hugh Shine, at Temple College. Full Story
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Mental health pilot program for Texas foster kids underway
A new pilot program led by Gov. Greg Abbott’s office aims to provide specialized care and services for 500 of the most emotionally traumatized foster children in Texas. Full Story
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