The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Facing demographic changes that work against their political dominance, Republicans will be able to redraw politically advantageous maps — and shield themselves from the change — without federal oversight for the first time in decades. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/603e7ba7c13b14a9ebb5f96a48326324/Senate%20File%20May%2017%20EL%20TT%2009)
Not every change in the state’s political maps starts with party affiliation. Geography and population are giving Republican mapmakers new headaches. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/849546a99e564ec3d60a978bba004910/Capitol%20File%20Feb%201%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Alexa and James about the coming legislative session and legal fights over redistricting in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f7d5cf2a8ddc6458d04f3d81930b387a/TribCast%20-%20Sep%2015.jpg)
The two Republicans are vying to replace former state Rep. Jake Ellzey, who is now in Congress. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3cdc92bf9d9453af2babb27a0288c0bd/Capitol%20File%20SP%20TT%2006.jpg)
The field for the Sept. 28 contest has attracted three Democrats and two Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0ec24061cfeb80668f309b42006b54c8/House%20Senate%20File%20SP%20TT%2019)
Senate Bill 6 will bar those accused of violent crimes from being released from jail before trial unless they can put up cash. That provision of the bill will go into effect Dec. 2. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/07a44e7cff10fc29b0f8f32306085675/Bail%20Bonds%20MGO%20TT%2009.jpg)
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Allyson, Patrick and Reese about the court battles over Texas' abortion law and Abbott's call for a third special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e1be65e80c7c8034e293eac8c37c0d7/TribCast%20Sept%2010.jpg)
The new law may soon be in conflict with federal regulators. A decision from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on one company’s license could come as early as Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/498f8e9fe37416cbbbc8c6edc2aac128/Andrews%20Waste%20ELH%20TT%2018.jpg)
For House Democrats, the story of the second special session is much different from that of the first one. The excitement of leaving the state had worn off, the media spotlight had dimmed and the pressures to return home were mounting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3c7108110219fbecf70891574dbfc47a/House%20Floor%20823%20EG%20TT%2011.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed legislation designed to protect dogs earlier this year. Now he's asking the Legislature to fix it — before next year’s elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73fcfe3de0881c4a68d4dff318a19b8e/Abbott_Patrick_Bonnen_Joint_Presser_5.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott set the special election date Tuesday. The race has already drawn several candidates from both parties, and Republicans are eager to make inroads in the San Antonio-area district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8d4b61df620d89b26ba61fc965eac4d9/House%20Floor%20823%20EG%20TT%2031.jpg)
Harris County joined a coalition of community and advocacy groups filing lawsuits over Senate Bill 1, arguing the far-reaching rewrite of Texas voting laws violates the U.S. Constitution and numerous federal laws and will suppress voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/98196dc4868ec1931cfff9cf2d980005/Archer%20Co%20Early%20Voting%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)
Months after the deadly gas killed at least 17 Texans during a massive winter storm, lawmakers have failed to take significant action to protect most of the state’s residents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e5802d73b2146e35664a77db547d1f6/Illo%20for%20CO%20Legislation%20TTPP.jpg)
The Texas Medical Association called two anti-abortion bills unconstitutional and criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for not blocking the broader law from going into effect. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e48c88a39344e265dbe00b099554252a/Midway%20Family%20Planning%20Center%20JV%20TT%203.jpg)
Texas’ near-total ban on abortions is sending patients out of state for the procedure. Advocates say many immigrants and women of color can’t leave, and that’s increasing the inequities their communities suffer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22169cf4cf0e5f24df290a60bad0e6d6/Abortion%20Crisis%20Pregnancy%20Center%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
The Legislature is expected to return soon for another special session focused on redrawing the state's political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a4fec613eaeff7895ed93324412b26b5/House%20Floor%20JV%20TT%2011.jpg)
Before the second special session ended, lawmakers sent the GOP-backed bill for the governor's signature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d914aea13e6280ddc5df73143bbbc7f8/Chapa%20Middle%20School%20JV%20TT%2010.jpg)
The country just noticed what Texas was doing, and although Texans have been watching the debate over this anti-abortion law all year, even some of them were surprised at how quickly the legally protected right to abortion disappeared. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9894214aba3ce0fde44cc3a7e0749aa0/SCOTUS%20Abortion%20Rally%20REUTERS.jpg)
Medical and reproductive health experts say the reference to a heartbeat is medically inaccurate as an embryo does not have a developed heart at six weeks’ gestation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/060aa40ba7e1d64c063fc39545b31547/Womens%20Health%20SS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Texas’ strict new law sends patients scrambling for alternative ways to access abortion, including out-of-state clinics and “self-managed” procedures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6669528efce4a509616980df2721276e/Texas%20Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20JV%20TT%2008.jpg)