The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Steven Weinberg abruptly quit this week as commissioner of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which has been roiled by reports of extravagant spending, mismanagement and heavy-handed regulation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/24/TABC_21.jpg)
The House passed a controversial Senate version of a Houston pension bill, angering firefighters. But in Dallas, leaders appear to have coalesced around a bill that once divided the mayor and first responders in that city. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/06/Hou_Firefighters_MKC_TT.jpg)
After several failed attempts and compromises during the legislative session, Rep. Helen Giddings finally succeeded in getting the House to pass a measure that targets "lunch shaming" in schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/09/__BDP9270_Giddings_CMS.jpg)
It's hard to get tougher ethics laws for politicians and officeholders through the Texas Legislature. It can be even harder to figure out exactly who killed them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/05/Bonnen_confab_BD_TT.jpg)
Despite state lawmakers filing several bills exempting tampons and other menstrual products from sales taxes, the measures didn't draw serious attention from the legislature this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/06/iStock-468846250.jpg)
A Texas legislative committee reinstalled a Senate provision in a bill that would only allow state lawmakers to serve as delegates in a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/06/_BDE0122_crowd.jpg)
The legislative wrangling over where transgender Texans can use the bathroom isn’t over yet. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/23/Larry_Taylor_Sunday_TT.jpg)
Both chambers passed bills on Tuesday aimed at curbing postpartum depression and the alarming rise in Texas mothers dying less than a year after giving birth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Pregnant-Mother-Holding-Belly.jpg)
Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-MentalPrisonCuts-TW310.jpg)
The 95-54 vote followed a six-hour debate that saw fierce pushback from Democrats, who argued the legislation wouldn’t go far enough to expand ballot access and might discourage some Texans from going to the polls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/23/Anchia_Voter_ID_MKC_TT.jpg)
Lara McDaniel was devastated when her 7-year-old son died in an accident. An investigator didn't allow her to see her child's body until three days after his death — after an autopsy had been conducted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/16/Wyatt_4_TT.jpg)
At least 71 of Gov. Greg Abbott's nearly 800 current state board and commission appointees appeared to have donated more than $2,500 to the governor's campaign account since 2013. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/19/Abbott-Event-Speaking.jpg)
Texas budget writers plan to spend another $800 million for border security over the next two years, matching what lawmakers allocated in 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/08/TT_DRUGS_004.jpg)
Watch the Texas House debate legislation that would change the state's voter ID law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/27/KarnesCity_BD8855.jpg)
Members of the Texas House on Tuesday issued a loud demand for the Senate to take action on their bills — or else. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/20/__BDC4361_Dutton.JPG)
Rep. Helen Giddings announced the launch of a donation page that allows the public to contribute money to clear the debt of schools that feed schoolchildren when their lunch accounts are empty. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/23/Giddings_shaming_presser_MKC_TT.jpg)
Supporters of House Bill 3236 say it could get experimental drugs into terminally ill patients’ hands, but its detractors say it would encourage snake oil salesmen. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/11/Lees_Pharmacy_3_by_Reynaldo_Leal.jpg)
School groups say a Texas House amendment addressing bathroom use is open to interpretations on whether it actually keeps school districts from allowing transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/22/ShelbyKnowles-12_TT.jpg)
Texas senators unanimously approved a bill that would make the Department of Family and Protective Services its own standalone department. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/07/12/_BDE4567Whitman4.jpg)
Pro-business forces, which had for months warned that a "bathroom bill" could be disastrous for the state's bottom line, held their fire during Sunday's debate over a bill amendment dealing with the controversial issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/22/Bathroom_bill_vote_LS_TT.jpg)