The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As Texas faces a backlog of thousands of untested rape kits, lawmakers appear unwilling to spend state dollars to address the problem — but they're considering crowdfunding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/31/IMG_7256.jpg)
Here's what you need to know about Friday night's huge — and incredibly complicated — ruling that effectively invalidated Texas' congressional map. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RedistrictingAgain.jpg)
Having trouble classifying your electric unicycle? Want to identify your deer but don't want to get it tattooed? The 85th Texas Legislature is here to help. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/21/capitol-dome.jpg)
The Texas Legislature is going to be busy this week with issues that ordinarily belong to other governments, as it considers the wisdom of local ordinances on restrooms, ride-hailing, short-term rentals, sanctuary cities and plastic bags. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/07/__BDP4048_crowdTT.JPG)
A major source of division among cities and state officials is differing opinions on what local control means — and to whom it provides the power to govern. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/17/Mayors049X_Rawlings.JPG)
State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Houston Democrat, has filed House Bill 4260, which would fine men $100 for masturbating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/15/StateAffairs0489TT_.JPG)
Donald Trump Jr, the Dallas County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner keynote speaker, said Texans’ fundraising efforts were key in helping his father secure a victory in the 2016 presidential election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/11/Trump_Jr_1_TT_crop.jpg)
Some of the state's 36 congressional districts violate either the U.S. Constitution or the federal Voting Rights Act, a panel of three federal judges ruled Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/29/Redistricting-Capitol_1.jpg)
A pair of bills filed Friday would allow any vehicle manufacturer to sell directly to Texans — bypassing the middleman dealers — in the biggest challenge yet to a longstanding state ban on the practice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0772.jpg)
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione is demanding to know why dozens of large Texas Health and Human Services Commission contracts don't appear in the state's budget watchdog's database. The agency says it isn't responsible for the problem. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d5113915df216293c19ff8879d0f5638/BD%20INC%20Giovanni%20Capriglione%20TT%20NYT%202013)
The leadership battles in the Texas Legislature are often attributed to personalities — or to traditional House-Senate rivalries. But there's another factor: The Republicans in power are from different factions of their party. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/09/Straus_and_Patrick_Dec_2016.jpg)
The state is set for another debate about the cost of a program that provides free tuition to children of military veterans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/16/SoldiersMarching.jpg)
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to state lawmakers Thursday urging them to make Texas the next state that gives parents taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or religious schools, or educate them at home. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/13/Cruz_TPPF_LS_TT.jpg)
What started as a state House committee hearing hearing on a bill that would require Texas hospitals to bury or cremate fetal remains turned into a heated debate over whether the proposal should be amended to abolish abortion completely. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/08/Byron_Cook_Fetal_Remains_TT.jpg)
Senate Bill 7 would punish school principals and superintendents who fail to report teachers with a history of inappropriate romantic or sexual relationships with students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/12/07/BD7_6507Bettencourt.JPG)
As budget writers and lawmakers eye billions in voter-approved highway money for other matters, transportation officials are touting high-profile projects that will benefit from those funds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/12/07/HoustonTraffic_01_TT.jpg)
After 13-plus hours of emotional testimony, largely in opposition, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-1 early Wednesday morning to advance the so-called Texas “bathroom bill" — a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/07/__95I3375_protestTT.JPG)
Local governments and school districts battling the Texas Legislature over property taxes have a couple of things in common: They want local control over taxes and a more reliable partner in the state government. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/06/Huberty_school_finance_2017.jpg)
The state spent big to recruit professor Thomas Overbye to Texas A&M University. But lawmakers are questioning whether it should devote millions to make similar hires in the future. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/07/Abbott_Research_Initiative_TT.jpg)
Citing the statute of limitations, the Austin Democrat seeks to have four of 13 felony counts against her dismissed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/05/_DSC7923.jpg)