Through the lens: The 86th Texas Legislature in photos
Take a look back at the 2019 regular legislative session as seen through the lenses of Texas Tribune photographers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da7a375eb9a3e9c04c7840fa005cfa22/01%20Flower%20Capitol%20JF%20TT.jpg)
-
![Flowers and foliage outside the Capitol on April 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers are done. Here are this session's winners and losers.
The 86th legislative session is in the history books. Who's up and who's down after the 140-day marathon in Austin? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/26/EndSession-winlose-lead.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
To pass school finance and property tax bills, Texas’ legislative leaders chose cooperation over combativeness
In the past, personalities got in the way of policy at the Texas Capitol. This year, state leaders refused to let that happen. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9fd86882b55f004a8a3fdf3cbcfb2a6e/04%20Big%20Three%20Presser%20HB3%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen before a press conference at the Governor's Mansion on May 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
“I’m still doing penance”: How Kel Seliger handles life in the Texas Senate dog house
After opposing leadership — and mouthing off — the second-most senior Republican in the Texas Senate is the only senator who was not recognized to bring up a bill for a vote on the floor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a1aa0073db9bc074e54897345aa48d68/03_Kel_Seliger_April_11_JF_TT.jpg)
![State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, in the Senate chamber on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Republican Party platform supports some marijuana expansions. So why doesn’t Dan Patrick?
Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said a bill that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana was "dead on arrival" in the Senate. But his party's platform supports marijuana decriminalization. So what gives? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0d205c85e8e16d8aa1a068c0c612cb2b/Texas%20Republican%20Convention%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![The Texas Republican Convention at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio. Bob Parks salutes the flag from the front row on June 14, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' legislative leaders say they have a deal on school finance and property tax reform
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced they have finalized the details of the three bills that will accomplish their top policy goals. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/45dd239d2e254982bc01e5b1104b84e1/01%20Big%20Three%20Presser%20HB3%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen are joined by state legislators
at a press conference at the Governorâs Mansion on May 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen announce school finance deal
The "Big Three" spoke to news outlets as the Texas legislative session neared its end. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b495bda576816f9ea30eedff3ba274a6/Abbott_Patrick_Bonnen_Joint_Presser_2.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas expansion of medical cannabis nears finish line after Senate approval
If the House approves changes made by the upper chamber, the bill will head to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c44f6d3d8c494ae82b835c6a051dfcaa/Medical%20Cannabis%20Marijuana%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Getty Images/Patrick Morrissey -
Texas House passes Senate bill seeking to ensure free speech on college campuses
Senate Bill 18 would require universities to create disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with free speech activities. It would still allow universities to put restrictions on the time, place and manner of such activities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/09/SPENCER_PROTEST1597_TT.jpg)
![State Troopers in riot gear push protesters away from the building where white nationalist Richard Spencer was speaking at Texas A&M in College Station Tuesday, December 6, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
How Santa Fe rebuilt itself in the year after a school shooting
As lawmakers in Austin work to pass a sweeping school safety bill, many Santa Fe survivors and their loved ones say they’re focused less on what’s happening at the Capitol and more on what can be done to rebuild and uplift their community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aad1d973e15b1089eaa3e4233666be7b/Santa_Fe_high_School_crosses_2_REUTERS.jpg)
![Crosses bearing the name of of the victims killed in a shooting at Santa Fe High School are seen in Santa Fe, Texas, U.S., May 21, 2018.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman -
Texas House passes bill to spend more than $3 billion to help pay for flood control projects
With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9de00c566a269d1896704e8370bbc9d2/Hurrican%20Harvey%20TG%20TT.jpg)
![Damage from Hurricane Harvey near the gulf coast on August 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Tomas Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes religious liberty bill that LGBTQ advocates fear licenses discrimination
The measure moved quickly through the Senate after the LGBTQ Caucus killed a near-identical proposal on a procedural motion last week in the Texas House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1e1c6ec8405b358c7255908929bcf85/02%20Bryan%20Hughes%20Senate%20Floor%20MG.jpg)
![State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, on the Senate floor on May 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A rumor of a game of succession in the Texas Senate
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has done his best to knock down rumors he might take a job with the Trump administration. That hasn't stopped talk about what might happen if he leaves his current job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/768b4641b653565711a05b9cff233173/09_Lt._Gov._Dan_Patrick_Senate_Floor_Watson_MG.jpg)
![Senator Kirk Watson, who was recently elected Senate President Pro Tempore, receives a senate gavel from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers see a more engaged Gov. Greg Abbott. Will it pay off?
Once knocked as detached, the governor has become more involved in a legislative session hinging on two big-ticket items he's prioritized: school finance and property tax reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc677105b146688034d7ad163806e7df/01%20Greg%20Abbott%20House%20Floor%20JF%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott chats with state Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, on the House Floor on April 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
“Pain and heartache” in the Texas Senate during debate on Confederate monuments
In a party-line vote, the upper chamber advanced a bill that would make it more difficult for cities and state agencies to remove or alter historical markers. The legislation comes amid a larger debate over whether to keep or remove Confederate monuments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/478d1e30356645dbe1086da4b9efdfae/01_Confederate_Monuments_at_State_Capitol_MG_TT.jpg)
![The 1903 Confederate monument at the south entrance to the Capitol grounds says that Confederate soldiers died for states' rights.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Pro-LGBTQ bills look dead in the Texas House, but advocates say they’ve still made progress this year
"Having a hearing is sometimes a victory," said state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, whose conversion therapy ban was debated for the first time this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ca2897140b0d620e62664349531d28c2/06_LGBTQ_Caucus_Presser_EW.jpg)
![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carollton, speaks to the press in Austin to announce the new LGBTQ Caucus on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
In 1997, George W. Bush couldn’t deliver a tax reform plan. Will Greg Abbott face a similar fate?
State leaders are pushing a plan to drive down property taxes using revenue from a one-cent increase to the sales tax. They have said the plan would result in roughly $250 a year in savings on a $200,000 home. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9fa09711298834599a1b38e781cec4ff/Laney_and_Bush_HoR_TT.jpg)
![Gov. George W. Bush and House Speaker Pete Laney on the dais, on May 8, 1997.]()
Credit: Texas House of Representatives -
Texas House passes bill to vastly expand access to medical cannabis
The bill by state Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, is one of two that aim to expand the scope of the narrow Compassionate Use Act and have gained traction this legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bebe302a7d4c10de351ad1c378a75b27/08_Marijuana_Plants_Texas_MKC_TT.jpg)
![Michael Rubin, Director at Compassionate Cultivation, tends to home-grown medical cannabis in Austin that serves patients throughout Texas, on January 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Betting a whole legislative session on one big issue
The pieces are in place. There's a month to go. And the three leaders who bet big on school finance, education and property taxes are in a familiar place, imploring reluctant legislators to take the kinds of high-stakes votes that make and break political careers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8d27ba7792a394f899de0a4db979cb2/01_Patrick_Abbott_Bonnen_Property_Tax_Presser_MG.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen speak at a press conference regarding property taxes on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott, legislative leaders assert confidence as deadline to cut property taxes nears
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen did not close the door on passing a sales tax swap with a simple majority instead of the current approach requiring two-thirds support of lawmakers and voter approval. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b206af7a8ac7bff64174bd6be9a7b35f/03_Patrick_Abbott_Bonnen_Property_Tax_Presser.jpg)
![From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen speak at a press conference regarding property taxes on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune