The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
After billionaire Warren Buffett met with Gov. Greg Abbott and other top leaders, a bill to grant him a loophole from protectionist Texas auto laws seemed to be fast-tracked, until Tea Party activists found out about it. Full Story
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A tort-reform bill that would discourage property owners from suing insurers over weather-related claims tentatively passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday. Full Story
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Texans in Congress spent Tuesday processing a series of stunning political revelations as President Donald Trump's presidency becomes more embattled. Full Story
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John Cornyn says he can best serve Texas from the U.S. Senate and does not want to be considered to replace ousted FBI Director James Comey. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers can avoid a special session if the House and Senate can pass two bills, House Speaker Joe Straus said in an unusual letter sent late Monday to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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Despite Sen. John Cornyn's status as a well-liked and influential figure on Capitol Hill, many of his colleagues have signaled they want someone else to become the next FBI director. Full Story
The Texas House backed a State Bar of Texas sunset bill with an amendment that critics say could allow for discrimination against LGBT Texans seeking legal assistance. Full Story
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One night last week at the Texas Capitol, a group of Republican lawmakers announced a plan to kill a lot of bills. Observers on social media called it the "Mother's Day Massacre." Here is the long day in pictures. Full Story
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U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Chuck Schumer said they were uneasy about confirming anyone with a political background to lead the FBI during Donald Trump's politically turbulent tenure. Full Story
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Several members of the U.S. House delegation are considering running in a possible U.S. Senate special election. Full Story
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In a rare twist, Republicans and Democrats are jointly pushing an effort to crack down on voter fraud. The measure targets ballots cast at nursing homes, and it could make it easier for older Texans to vote. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn could be the next FBI director, a White House official says. Cornyn is one of about 11 contenders for the post, according to Fox News. Full Story
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Ahead of Mother's Day weekend, the Texas House’s self-labeled Freedom Caucus killed two bills aimed at helping the state curb its alarming rise in mothers dying less than a year after childbirth, along with more than 100 other measures. Full Story
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In a legislative process where so many issues die quietly in committees and parliamentary actions, making politicians attach their names to their positions can be a powerful thing. The "sanctuary cities" bill tested that theory. Full Story
What the Legislature is doing to fix Texas’ controversial photo ID law — and what that means for the 2018 primaries. Full Story
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The two senators from Texas said Wednesday that President Donald Trump was within the bounds of his authority to fire now-former FBI Director James Comey. Full Story
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Watch video of our conversation in Austin with author and political strategist Matthew Dowd. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Tuesday in a radio interview that he has urged pastors to pressure the Texas House to advance the so-called bathroom bills that have languished there for weeks. Full Story
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A key deadline passed on Monday without the House "bathroom bill" getting out of committee, meaning the bill won't make it to the House floor this session. But that doesn't mean the issue itself is dead. Full Story
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Former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, under consideration for the NATO ambassadorship, played a key role in shepherding U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson through his Senate confirmation. Full Story
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