The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
In a blow to the state's abortion providers, federal appeals judges on Tuesday upheld a state law requiring nearly all Texas facilities that perform the procedure to meet hospital-like standards. Full Story
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At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, enumerated what the Legislature did — and could have done — on ethics this session. Full Story
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At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, discussed whether he'll support candidates in the 2016 primaries. Full Story
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At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, talked about the billions of dollars in tax relief approved by the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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In a wide-ranging interview with the Tribune’s Evan Smith, House Speaker Joe Straus touted the new state budget, franchise tax cuts and the Legislature’s slow but steady pace this year. Full Story
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Full video of my 6/9 conversation with state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Full Story
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Weary of Republican infighting, state Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, announced Monday that she won’t seek re-election next year. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott told a San Antonio radio station on Monday that he won't call a special session on same-sex marriage restrictions, even though conservative leaders pleaded via letter for him to do so. Full Story
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Bennett Ratliff will run for the Dallas-area House seat he lost to state Rep. Matt Rinaldi by just 92 votes in the 2014 GOP primary, the Coppell Republican announced Monday. Full Story
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The Texas Legislature left Austin last week after a regular session considered conservative by nearly everyone involved. So why is it getting bad grades from so many conservatives? Full Story
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Who killed the House and Senate's top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers. Full Story
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The governor asked lawmakers to put ethics reform at center stage this year. They filed bills. They even voted in favor of some strong restrictions on lobbyists' and officeholders' official behavior. But most of it never got to Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
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At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick enumerated the Texas Senate's accomplishments in the 84th Session. Full Story
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At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rebuffed conservative criticism of the 84th Legislative Session. Full Story
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Full video of my 6/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Among the topics discussed: 84th session accomplishments, conservative criticism, the Senate vs. the House, the 2016 presidential race and why he's not running against Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has filed the paperwork to officially seek another term presiding over the lower chamber. If he wins, it will be his fifth. Full Story
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State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday he is not running for re-election, bringing to a close a 27-year tenure at the Capitol. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed two bills on Monday, including one aimed at encouraging people to call 911 during drug overdoses, even if they are in possession of illegal substances themselves. Full Story
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On balance, health care for the neediest Texans didn't fare well this session. Departing lawmakers leave behind a Medicaid budget that most experts agree is too low, and they predict it will spawn a hole in the state budget that will have to be filled later. Full Story
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Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
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