Former State Rep. Leo Berman Dies at 79
Tributes poured in this weekend from Texas conservatives and Democrats alike for former state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, who died Saturday. He served in the House from 1999 to 2013. Full Story
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![Former state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, is shown in 2011.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: Waco Shootout and Secret Tapings
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the shootout in Waco and its effect on the open carry debate and the not-so-secret tapings of state lawmakers. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on May 24, 2015.]()
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Funding Program Shields Nursing Homes From Lawsuits
Hundreds of Texas nursing homes have transferred their ownership to local government entities in order to secure more federal Medicaid funding. Critics of the arrangement say it shields negligent nursing homes from lawsuits. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
House Delays Closing of Austin Assisted Living Center
An Austin assisted living facility for people with disabilities — originally targeted for closure in 2017 — won’t be shuttered until 2019 under a major agency overhaul initially approved by the Texas House on Saturday. Full Story
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Health Commission Bill Could Set Up End-of-Life, Abortion Debate
With the House set to consider legislation to re-evaluate the state’s health commission, a flurry of pre-filed amendments could set the stage for a fiery debate over end-of-life issues. Full Story
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House Panel OKs Bill Banning Insurers From Covering Abortions
A bill prohibiting health insurers from covering abortion in all cases save for medical emergencies cleared a House panel Saturday and could be headed to the House floor. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond -
State Cemetery Could Soon Be Under New Management
Lawmakers are aiming to restructure the chain of command at the Texas State Cemetery. But longtime caretakers of the famous graveyard think a measure moving through the Capitol goes too far in shifting power. Full Story
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![The Texas State Cemetery is home to more than 900 Texans who have shaped the civic and political life of the state, including 13 governors and Stephen F. Austin, the so-called Father of Texas.]()
Credit: Axel Gerdau -
Key House Leader: Union Dues Bill is Dying
State Rep. Byron Cook confirmed that he does not plan to schedule a vote on legislation that would end automatic payroll deductions for union and non-union dues of most public employees. Full Story
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![Byron Cook speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.]()
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Senate Approves State Employee Pension Funding Plan
The Texas Senate on Friday voted to beef up the state’s underfunded retirement system for state employees by adding about $440 million to the program, a plan that has received mixed reviews from state employee advocacy groups. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, co-chair of the House Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations, is shown calling an executive session on May, 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Unanimously Backs "Right to Try" Legislation
The Senate gave a unanimous vote of support on Friday to a measure that would allow terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs that have received preliminary approval by the FDA. Full Story
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![Capitol lobbyist Andrea Sloan waged a public battle with ovarian cancer, seeking federal permission to try an experimental treatment in 2013. She died Jan. 1, 2014.]()
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Abbott Signs Online Solicitation Measure Into Law
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a measure that makes online solicitation of a minor a punishable offense and changes the definition of a minor, calling it "regrettable that this bill is necessary." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Union Dues Spark an End-of-Session Dispute
An unexpected end-of-session skirmish over payroll deductions for union dues pits Republicans against Democrats, business against labor, and presents lawmakers with one of those votes that might be important in next year's elections. Full Story
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![Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, answers an audience question during TTEvents on April 30, 2015.]()
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Bill That Increases Unemployment Taxes Moves Ahead
Legislation pushed by a politically connected company would increase unemployment taxes for Texas employers. Proponents say it would help outsourcing companies avoid "double taxation." Critics say it's a special interest perk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, at a Texas Tribune event in 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Roundup: Cannabis Oil, Execution Drugs and Fracking Bans
In the Roundup: Lawmakers endorse allowing epilepsy patients to use cannabis oil for treatment, pharmacies that supply the state its execution drugs will not be disclosed, and Gov. Greg Abbott wastes little time signing the "Denton fracking bill" into law. Full Story
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State Leaders Reach Tax Cut Deal
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus announced late Thursday the terms of a $3.8 billion tax relief package — a move that followed weeks of testy negotiations. 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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Video: Putting Some Legislative Terms in Context
If you’ve watched the Texas Legislature in action, you’ve probably heard lawmakers use some terms that sounded foreign. As part of an occasional series explaining the Legislature’s inner workings, we define a couple of key terms and techniques that lawmakers use under the Pink Dome. Full Story
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Curbs on Suing Insurers Rile Business Lobby
Businesses are joining consumer advocates in sounding the alarm about a proposal that critics say would stack the deck in favor of insurance companies at the expense of businesses and homeowners. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Smithee (l), R-Amarillo, with a reporter off the House floor in 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on Guns, In-State
At our 5/21 conversation with state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about big issues that are unresolved with a week to go in the session. Full Story
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Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on Tax Cuts
At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the prospect of a deal on tax cuts. Full Story
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Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on the Budget
At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the coming budget deal between the House and the Senate. Full Story
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