The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6bd863adf7574fce60bf475aed895917/Capitol%20House%20TW%20TT%2001.jpg)
We surveyed some of The Texas Tribune’s reporters and editors about what they’d be watching come Jan. 12, when state lawmakers are scheduled to gavel in the new session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc4a4b0deda3a3ff386de8ab0d7002c7/Capitol%20File%20AI%20TT%2007.jpg)
The Muenster Republican prevailed over the Dallas salon owner who made headlines for refusing to shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ada9dd53d7eeb9e86efe1a5438331a32/Drew%20Springer%202019%20BD%20TT.jpg)
Remaking the state’s political maps — redistricting — is important. One way to tell is that the lawmakers making the maps do their dead-level best to avoid saying anything that might signal their intent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/311cb7d5c4ced880216604fb0c07ac4e/01_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
The House will limit attendance for what is typically a crowded day at the Capitol when family and friends attend the opening ceremonies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b9ca602b19e86ff2e2ac82b2fc6193/State%20Capitol%20JF%20TT%2001.jpg)
Casinos are making a serious run at Texas lawmakers, hoping to open up to five gaming destinations in a state that has resisted them for years. But gaming in Texas hasn’t been expanded in almost three decades. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfd343c2bbc82245c4e7cd21d4885c7b/Casino%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The indictments announced Friday were tied to races in Texas House Districts 132 and 142. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2e3c5ae5bfcb0f53a544ad71ceccf38c/Kim%20Ogg%20KW%20TT.jpg)
The lieutenant governor said Wednesday he wants the Senate to decrease the threshold required to bring legislation to the floor to 18 members, which would allow the GOP to continue sidelining Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58c887b31c92b257ed35af51de3ef760/Patrick%20Confederate%20Monuments%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
It might seem that closing tax loopholes and ending exemptions would be an easy way to balance a state budget during a pandemic. It's not. In fact, that might be the hardest option available. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc5f100b96b207f7a0fc2927e8a1a253/House%20Floor%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Patrick and Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan, the likely next House speaker, “hope to be able to make an announcement regarding the Session shortly," a senior adviser to Patrick said Saturday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/78350882b6421a6fcae31cedc0e35b5f/Senate%20Floor%202013%20Session%20MKC%20TT%2001.jpg)
It's the latest proposal from the governor to punish the capital city for its August decision to trim its police budget by a third, primarily by shifting some responsibilities out of law enforcement oversight. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f643461041ebc2ee84581c3ab1edcb8f/DPS%20State%20Troopers%20Floyd%20Protest%20MG%20TT.jpg)
In January, the lieutenant governor suggested he could push to further lower the threshold required to bring bills to the floor if the GOP lost its supermajority. Now that that has happened, it remains to be seen whether Patrick will follow through. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08730a9fa24cc04df2b060f07652bb78/Senate%20Chamber%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
The state's leaders are as anxious as everyone else to talk about vaccines and a Texas without the coronavirus. But this is going to take time, and while they're hopeful, they are planning for more months of pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4d22d027ef5589db17fdd77fead4c27c/Charlie%20Geren%20BD%20TT.jpg)
The Legislature is set to convene in January. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/912511b9dfeb27e7292fa303b520c410/.Duplicate12)
The seasons change in the political world, too. We're in that periodic move from electioneering to governing. The Washington version is noisy. The Texas version is a bit quieter, but it's underway. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/929b53c23ac35999d9a803059ef46d04/Capitol%20File%20AI%20TT%2010.jpg)
Phelan was a prominent lieutenant of current House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, whose handling of the 2019 legislative session was popular before scandal brought him down. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5873dbb632c15b5283d465066e0096f5/Dade%20Phelan%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
Concrete companies say they’re just following the law. A handful of bills addressing the issue have been filed for the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/15ac669bf547194df149a59b1d564a04/Easy%20Mix%20Concrete%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
Plus, what the Legislature will look like in a pandemic, and what Tribune reporters are watching most this legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24f34d009f5c455b4e838750b23d93d9/TTE-87thLeg_leadart-v3.png)
West has protested outside the Governor's Mansion and called the likely next speaker of the Texas House a "political traitor." The upcoming legislative session will put his influence within the party to the test. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/90218e84865773573837214cab8db9e0/Allen%20West%20MKC%20TT%2002.jpg)
Texas lawmakers rarely resort to impeachment proceedings, even when elected officials like Attorney General Ken Paxton are accused of misusing their public offices. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16f76b3e67dfc90ca1aaae47295f8678/AG-Paxton-SCOTUS-0004.JPG)