Dan Patrick says senators will be tested for coronavirus, seating will be limited for opening day of the Texas Senate
An announcement of protocols for the Jan. 12 event did not mention masks. Full Story
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![The state Senate floor in Austin on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Despite committee’s recommendation, ending Texas’ partisan judicial elections looks unlikely
Several Texas lawmakers said they would not vote to end the system of partisan judicial elections, which critics say allows for the appearance of impropriety if not bias itself. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump pardons former Border Patrol agent Gary Brugman, who was convicted of violating a man’s civil rights
Brugman’s case drew national attention among conservative figures who hailed him for working to secure the U.S. border. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Nevada in September.]()
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Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story
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![Texas Capitol House of Representatives on May 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
$1.7M for George Strait, six-figure bonuses: Months later, a lawsuit forced Texas to release details on inaugural spending
For months, Gov. Greg Abbott and the 2019 Texas Inaugural Committee fought to avoid disclosing how they spent a record-setting $5.3 million. The Texas Tribune sued and obtained the documents in an out-of-court settlement. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses attendees at the Oath of Office Ceremony on the state Capitol grounds on Jan. 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Masks required, COVID-19 tests encouraged for opening day in the Texas House next month
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
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![The Texas State Capitol on May 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues to undo the presidential election results
In this week's episode, Matthew talks to Emma, Cassi and Mitchell about Texas' lawsuit against swing states that went for Joe Biden, the upcoming legislative session and the future of gambling in Texas. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton walked across the Supreme Court plaza to hold a press conference in 2016.]()
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Dan Patrick wants to change Senate rules so GOP keeps a key advantage, despite losing its supermajority
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
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reminds senators to keep their testimonies short during a discussion on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1663 relating to the removal, relocation or alteration of certain monuments or memorials, on the Senate floor on May 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick says people may need to take a coronavirus test 24 hours before testifying during the legislative session
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
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![Wide view of the Senate gallery as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster of SB 5 a bill that would tighten regulations on abortion providers in Texas, on the last day of the special session, June 25, 2013.]()
Credit: Daemmrich Photo, Inc. -
On Election Day, Republicans lost a critical advantage in the state Senate. Will Dan Patrick push to change the rules?
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
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![Senate floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Despite vaccine hopes, lawmakers plan for more months of pandemic
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
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![State Affairs Committee member Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, at the hearing on Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, on March 15, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Key Texas House leader says Capitol occupancy may be limited in upcoming legislative session
The Legislature is set to convene in January. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
In economic crisis, Texas Democrats push to legalize marijuana. Key Republicans likely stand in the way.
State lawmakers argue that the tax revenue and jobs created by a retail market for cannabis could help the state devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Marijuana plants at Compassionate Cultivation, a home-grown medical cannabis company in Austin that serves patients throughout Texas. Jan. 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
There’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud, but Dan Patrick is encouraging people to report it with up to a $1 million reward
The Republican lieutenant governor's crusade for proof of election problems in Texas comes as members of his own party dominated up and down the ballot. Full Story
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reminds senators to keep their testimonies short during a discussion on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1663 relating to the removal, relocation or alteration of certain monuments or memorials, on the Senate floor on May 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Republicans appear to keep majority of Texas House
Texas Republicans appeared to have fended off a well-financed Democratic effort to gain a majority in the Texas House. Full Story
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![Republican Party emblems and signage are seen at the Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Rural Texans have long helped Republicans. Will that hold true on Tuesday?
Republicans believe rural Texas will play a crucial role in delivering Texas for President Donald Trump on Tuesday as polls continue to show a close race in the state. Full Story
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![An early polling site at Wise County Fairgrounds in Decatur on Oct. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Despite polls showing a close race, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick claims if Democrats win on Election Day, it will be "because they stole it"
Voter fraud in absentee voting, as with any type of voting, is rare. Many states, including many run by Republicans, have expanded mail-in voting options during the pandemic. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislature meets in less than 100 days. Nobody knows how the session will look.
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to affect everyday life, Texas legislators know that it won't be business as usual at the Capitol during the 2021 legislative session. But how different things will be is still an issue they're working to resolve. Full Story
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![State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Keep calm and vote on
Political people in high places are sowing doubt about voting and elections, making our 200-year-old system seem fraught with problems and even crime. Vote anyway. Full Story
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![From left, Catherine Harvey, Connie Ford, and Jean Anthony experiment scanning IDs through a plexiglass screen added to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 at a training lab at the Collin County Elections Department. June 23, 2020..]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott loosens coronavirus restrictions for restaurants and other businesses in most regions of Texas
Restaurants, retail stores and office buildings will now be able to operate at 75% capacity, Abbott said. Three regions — the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo and Victoria — were excluded from the loosening of restrictions, however. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local El Paso leaders to discuss the coronavirus situation for the city and state on Aug. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune
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