The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As lawmakers debate possible reforms to the school finance system this week, they might decide whether to continue offering extra funds to districts like Texas City ISD, which last year was forced to annex a struggling district next to it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/17/2017-03-24_TEXASCITY__MG_4179.JPG)
Three bills aimed at reducing what it takes to get licensed for certain cosmetology jobs were considered in a House committee hearing Monday evening. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/14/Eyebrow_threading_TT.jpg)
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s push to use a warfarin-based poison to kill feral hogs in the state has a long list of opponents that now includes more than two-thirds of the Legislature where Miller once served. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/15/feralhogs.jpg)
Proposals to regulate which bathrooms transgender individuals may use could cost the state $3.3 billion in annual tourism dollars and more than 35,600 full-time jobs, according to a study by the Perryman Group. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/22/ShelbyKnowles-18_TT.jpg)
Amid a controversy over travel to fancy resorts and other spending controversies, the head of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Sherry Cook, announced she was stepping down from her job effective May 23. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/13/Cook_sitting_down_BD.JPG)
A Texas House committee will take up a bill from state Rep. Ron Simmons this week that would ban cities and school districts from enacting or enforcing local policies that regulate bathroom use. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/22/ShelbyKnowles-12_TT.jpg)
The Texas Legislature's Easter break ends with a sprint. Only six weeks remain between now and the end of this regular legislative session — and most of the 6,000+ bills under consideration are going to die. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/14/flat-stanley-capitol.jpg)
Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire of Houston says a bill that would raise the age of adult criminal responsibility in Texas from 17 to 18 years old fails to address his chief concerns: cost and safety. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/22/7C2A9444.jpg)
At this point in the session, there are a lot of bills on the Senate’s “intent calendar.” How can you tell which bills will be considered on a given day? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/14/Capitol-Notice-of-Intent.jpg)
Houston and Dallas leaders were supposed to each be united on how they wanted state lawmakers to address their respective pension shortfalls before the legislative session even began. (Spoiler alert: They're still not.) Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/13/Turner_and_Rawlings.jpg)
Both chambers have passed state budgets that spend around $218 billion but significant differences remain. With just a few weeks to go before the end of the session, here's a look at the key sticking points. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/14/Nelson-Zerwas.jpg)
With some of his priorities on the chopping block this session, Gov. Greg Abbott may be eyeing his recently expanded veto authority in order to get his way. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/10/Abbott_speaks_TXLEGE_85_Day_1_TT.jpg)
A state law that's supposed to keep a leash on school tax increases might be preventing temporary tax breaks in the Texas districts with the highest tax rates. But reversing it could make it easier to raise taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax.jpg)
For more than three hours, top TABC officials were grilled by House members for misusing state resources, taking trips to Hawaii on the taxpayers’ dime, mixing vacation with state duties, misreporting who has been assigned which state-owned vehicles, and cozying up to the very industry they’re supposed to be regulating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/13/TABC_Director_Cook_TT.jpg)
The House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility considered measures that aim to pull powers from the federal government and hand it to the states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/13/_BDD6976_RickMillerCMS.JPG)
Texas Insurance Commissioner David Mattax died Thursday morning following a battle with cancer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/07/06/FullSizeRender.jpg)
Chairman Donna Nelson announced Thursday that she will retire from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ending a nine-year tenure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/07/06/DonnaNelson.jpg)
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar wants to reshape the state's Rainy Day Fund, aiming to get more bang for those stowed-away bucks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/_S3R7679HegarCU.jpg)
Some sexual assault survivors and advocates are clashing with a Texas senator over the best way to combat sexual assault on college campuses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/27/__BDD4345_Huffman_X.JPG)
Five transgender Texans explained to The Texas Tribune what goes into making decisions about using public restrooms, including considerations for the comfort of others and reflections on how strangers perceive their gender. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/12/2017-03-31_LILYPANDO_5208_TT.jpg)