The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
Next week could see the public airing of a secret recording that has had the Texas Capitol twisted in drama for most of the summer. With that, members of the Texas House can decide whether their speaker, Dennis Bonnen, made a big mistake or a little one. Full Story
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The application was expected to draw interest from a number of companies and, once approved, lead to more competitive pricing. Full Story
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A newly implemented change to election law is leaving a trail of shuttered early voting polling places across the state. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune is suing to discover what happened to millions raised mostly from top lobbying firms, corporations, wealthy businesspeople and trade groups for the inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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The Granbury Republican announced Wednesday he wasn't seeking another term in the House and was instead running for county commissioner, but he has since changed course. Full Story
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The governor's executive orders after shootings in El Paso and West Texas are meant to address gun violence without gun control. But a Department of Public Safety network he tapped says it needs more resources — and is remaining mum on how it operates. Full Story
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Bohac's decision gives Democrats one of their best pickup opportunities next year in the Texas House. Full Story
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Repeated mass shootings can change officials' minds about their policy stances. After recent massacres, Texas politicians and officeholders are talking about guns in new ways. Full Story
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A new law increased the punishment for failing to stop and render aid to match the sentence for DWI manslaughter. The goal is to deter drunken drivers from leaving the scene of an accident. Full Story
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The conservative Empower Texans leader was out of favor with Republican state leaders at the end of the legislative session. Now he's on the outs with them in a whole new way. Full Story
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He is vying to replace state Sen. José Rodríguez, who announced Friday he is not seeking reelection. Full Story
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Lawmakers get jittery when it's time to redraw their political maps, and the exercise is based on a mix of power, party, clout, tenure — and trust. That last one is a fleeting quality in the Texas House right now. Full Story
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Abbott stopped short of saying the Legislature should make the background checks mandatory. Full Story
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In a state with a long history of discrimination, lawmakers on Tuesday will kick off the 2021 round of political mapmaking — the first in nearly half a century without federal oversight. Full Story
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A state senator decided to run for U.S. Senate and had to disclose information about his income and assets that isn't required of Texas officials. Just think what we might learn if Texas politicians had to meet the more stringent federal standards. Full Story
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Shootings in Odessa and El Paso added pressure on Republican state leaders to do more to protect Texans. But in a state that prides itself on lenient firearms laws, the politics are treacherous. Full Story
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Wednesday was the filing deadline for the Nov. 5 special elections in three House districts, including one that Democrats are trying to flip. Full Story
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The governor tweeted Monday night that Texas is “working on a legislative package” and that “expedited executions for mass murderers would be a nice addition.” Full Story
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“The officer will know prior to approaching the vehicle that this person might have a challenge speaking with him," says Jennifer Allen, whose son is the namesake of the Samuel Allen Law. Full Story
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The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers and kids selling lemonade. Full Story
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