Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick diverge ahead of the legislative session on property taxes, power grid
The dueling approaches are coming into focus as lawmakers prepare to return to Austin for the session which begins Jan. 10. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019. Newly-elected House Speaker Dennis Bonnen was also present.]()
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Republican Caucus backs Dade Phelan as Texas House speaker
Republican members of the Texas House endorsed Phelan’s bid for reelection in a nonbinding vote on Saturday. An official vote from the entire Texas House will take place in January. Full Story
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![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks to the House of Representatives during opening ceremonies as the 2021 legislative session begins. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
TribCast: How much will Texas spend on tax cuts?
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Karen about property taxes and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discussed the state budget and legislative priorities at a press conference at the Capitol in Austin on Wednesday.]()
Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune -
To combat opioid overdoses, Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips
The announcement signals a shift in Abbott’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. He had previously pushed back against bills calling for the decriminalization of fentanyl testing strips. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during at Texas Rally for Life at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 22, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Uvalde officials say local prosecutor impeded investigation into police response to shooting
In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the city of Uvalde says the district attorney is restricting information needed by its independent investigator. Uvalde wants a judge to compel the prosecutor to hand over all relevant investigative information. Full Story
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![District Attorney for the 38th Judicial District of Texas (Uvalde & Real Counties) Christina Mitchell Busbee at a press conference at the Uvalde High School on May 27, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.
Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels the House into session on Saturday, August 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prioritizes property tax relief, electric grid fixes and border security for 2023 legislative session
Patrick, who presides over the Senate and wields tremendous power over legislation, said lawmakers have an “extraordinary opportunity” to shape the future of Texas at the start of the next legislative session, which begins Jan. 10. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discusses the state budget and legislative priorities at a press conference at the Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, July 30, 2022.]()
Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune -
Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South Texas
Adam Hinojosa finished 659 votes behind Democrat Morgan LaMantia in a race that garnered 175,415 total votes. Full Story
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![From left: Adam Hinojosa and Morgan LaMantia. Hinojosa, Republican candidate for Texas Senate District 27, has asked for a recount against LaMantia, his Democratic opponent.]()
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Some Republicans are optimistic about enacting school choice in next year’s session — but it might not be so easy
Advocates say discontent with public schools’ pandemic rules and teachings on race and gender identity have helped raise support for school choice to an all-time high. Full Story
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![A ninth-grade student returns a classroom calculator to its pouch after a pre-advanced placement algebra class at Bowie High School in Austin, on April 2013.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Amid fallout from the Uvalde shooting, Texas DPS wants $1.2 billion for academy and active-shooter training facility
DPS is asking lawmakers to approve a $467 million active-shooter facility as a “down payment” for the training academy. “You play like you practice,” Director Steve McCraw said. Full Story
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![Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw speaks at a border security briefing at Texas DPS regional headquarters in Weslaco on Jan. 27, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Cryptocurrency firm FTX’s fall pains industry, but Texas stays optimistic
FTX’s bankruptcy has been a painful setback for the industry. But many legislators, investors and enthusiasts remain believers in making Texas crypto’s top destination. Full Story
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![Lee Bratcher, president of nonprofit trade association Texas Blockchain Council, makes the opening remarks at the Texas Blockchain Summit in Austin on Nov. 17 2022.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo/The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers target property taxes, election fraud and transgender people in new legislation ahead of 2023 session
Thousands of bills are expected to be filed for the legislative session that begins in January. Lawmakers are expected to have a budget surplus when they return to Austin. Full Story
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Photos: Election Day 2022 in Texas
Texas Tribune photographers spread out all over the state to document a momentous midterm election. Full Story
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![Voters are in line at the Lark Community Center in McAllen on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans narrowly increase their majorities in Texas Legislature
Republican incumbents are successfully defending their seats while the party appears to be making inroads in South Texas. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on Aug. 13, 2022.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
How Texas voted in the November 2022 midterms
Follow The Texas Tribune’s coverage of midterm election results for governor, attorney general, U.S. House and the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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![Election results]()
Credit: Emily Albracht/Texas Tribune -
Panic buttons, automatic locks and bulletproof windows top the proposed safety rules after Uvalde shooting
These proposed requirements could take effect this school year after the Texas Education Agency takes public comment into consideration. Full Story
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![Two DPS officers test classroom doors and patrol the campus at Dalton Elementary School on the first day of school in Uvalde on Sept. 6, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, one of the most far-right members of the House, announces he’s running for speaker
The current speaker, fellow Republican Dade Phelan, is expected to seek the gavel again but has not made an official announcement yet. Full Story
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![State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks to a colleague on the House floor on July 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Just over a third of Texas’ registered voters turned out early this year, falling short of 2018 numbers
The high turnout seen in 2018 may have been an anomaly rather than the start of a long-term trend. Full Story
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![Graphic that reads, "Turnout Tracker" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
Credit: Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune -
Dan Flynn, who served 18 years in the Texas House, has died at 79
He also served much of his life in the military, including the U.S. Army, the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard. Full Story
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![Former state Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, on the House Floor on May 8, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Former Houston lawmaker Ron Wilson pleads guilty to federal tax evasion
Ron Wilson, a Democrat who served as state representative between 1977 and 2004, pleads guilty to one count of tax evasion after trying to hide some of his income and failing to pay taxes over two decades. Full Story
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![Former state Rep. Ron Wilson's, D-Houston, 78th Legislature Texas House of Representatives portrait.]()
Credit: Legislative Reference Library of Texas
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