The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality denied a permit request by a company seeking to open a hazardous waste processing facility near the Colorado River, citing concerns of contamination to both surface and ground water in the region. Full Story
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Keller, who succeeds Raymund Paredes, will begin Oct. 1. 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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Two floodgate failures on 90-year-old Guadalupe River Valley dams — and the plan to lower the remaining four — are highlighting Texas' underfunded, aging flood infrastructure. Full Story
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The lawsuit, filed by five area residents, cites state legislation passed this year that outlaws government retaliation based on “membership in and support to religious organizations.” Full Story
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The frequent allies traded jabs in the wake of two mass shootings in Texas. Full Story
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West, running in the increasingly crowded Democratic field to take on Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, also disclosed in federal forms that he's in business with a company run by a Republican megadonor. Full Story
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On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick and Alex about the second mass shooting in Texas in a month and the reaction at home and on the presidential trail. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Jolie, Aliyya and Alex about Texas’ latest school accountability ratings, the ongoing House speaker saga and a gubernatorial fundraising letter that went out the day before the El Paso massacre. Full Story
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The governor’s comments come after reports emerged of a two-page fundraising mailer that warned of a liberal plan to "to transform Texas — and our entire country — through illegal immigration." 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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A proposal to decriminalize unauthorized border crossings has become a hallmark of Julián Castro’s presidential campaign, and many of the other Democratic candidates have jumped on board. But it hasn’t helped his campaign gain much steam. Full Story
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The pastor, Frank Pomeroy, said Sunday he will run as a Republican for District 21, currently held by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Full Story
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The law, written by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, requires homeowners to disclose if their properties lie in a flood-prone area or have flooded before. It's an effort to expand notification after many homes unexpectedly flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Full Story
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To qualify for the September and October debates, candidates must receive donations from at least 130,000 individual donors and get 2% support in four polls. Full Story
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Senate Bill 21, authored by Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston, made Texas the 16th state to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. Full Story
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The spending in the traditionally red state is raising questions about whether he's simply shoring up his support — or treating Texas as potentially up for grabs in 2020. Full Story
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Abbott said he plans to release more details next week regarding a series of roundtables he’ll host with other lawmakers and state leaders to discuss possible legislative solutions that could prevent another massacre. Full Story
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“What President Trump says, and what he does, does not just offend our sensibilities or our understanding of the traditions of this great country,” O'Rourke said. “It changes who we are as a country.” Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Cassi about the drama roiling the Texas House speaker's office. Full Story
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