New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar
A loophole in state law allowed some developers to block solar installations on homes in new neighborhoods. Now it's been plugged. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation.]()
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Texas Grand Jury Selection to Become More Random
Texas is on the verge of overhauling the way it selects grand jurors, shifting away from an antiquated process that critics say creates the potential for conflicts of interest. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Buried Treasure: State Budget Hides a Mystery
Lawmakers approved giving $200,000 to a community college that doesn't want it to fund a maritime museum that doesn't exist, and now the Legislative Budget Board may scuttle Gov. Greg Abbott's bid to reclaim the loot. Full Story
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![La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Théodore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay.]()
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Top Texas GOP Officials Offer Measured Support for Paxton
When Gov. Rick Perry was indicted last year, there was a groundswell of support among Republicans for Perry. The response to Ken Paxton's indictment — particularly among some top state GOP leaders — has been more restrained. Full Story
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Barratry Charges Against Ron Reynolds Downgraded
Felony charges against state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, were dropped Friday and replaced with misdemeanor charges. Full Story
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![Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, during a House Environmental Regulations Committee meeting on April 16, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications
President Obama on Monday unveiled the final version of his state-by-state effort to combat climate change by reshaping the nation’s energy sector – a plan that has roiled Republican leaders in Texas. Full Story
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Texplainer: How Is a Statewide Office Vacancy Filled?
The rules are a little different for how to complete the terms of statewide executive officials who leave office early. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Crownover Will Not Seek Re-Election to House
State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, announced Monday she will not seek re-election in 2016. Full Story
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Analysis: Setting up a Review That Could Be Preceding a Makeover
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants a special committee to review legislative agencies he co-chairs with House Speaker Joe Straus. It sounds a little weird at first, but could put him in position to remake some of those agencies. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.]()
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Lawmakers Ditch $200 Fee for Lawyers, Doctors, Brokers
Fourteen years after lawmakers first tacked on a $200 annual licensing fee for some occupations, the so-called professionals tax will be repealed Sept. 1. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Jeremy Lin -
State College Aid Becoming Less Accessible for Middle Class
Lawmakers have pumped millions into financial aid for low-income residents and are phasing out programs with less strict income requirements. Is the middle class is being left out? This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Abbott Aides: "Magic Words" Used to Block Budget Vetoes
In a lengthy legal memo to the state's comptroller, aides to Gov. Greg Abbott defend his budget vetoes and decry a legislative agency's challenge as a threat to constitutional separation of powers. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Law Enforcement Will Receive Training on Dog Encounters
Due to a new law mandating training on canine encounters, all law enforcement officers will spend at least four hours in a classroom and interacting with dogs. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Challenged Vetoes Leave $200 Million in Limbo
With varying degrees of concern, a smattering of government offices and institutions around the state are waiting to learn the fate of more than $200 million in funds that the governor might — or might not — have excised from the state budget. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Roundup: Planned Parenthood, Bland and Perry
In the Roundup: Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol this week to address the latest concerns about Planned Parenthood, and the circumstances that led to Sandra Bland’s jail death. Plus, GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry takes aim at Wall Street reform and promotes his economic record. Full Story
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McCraw Hammered at Hearing on Bland Case
State lawmakers grilled Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw on Thursday, voicing concerns about arrest procedures used by state police and pressing the agency head to explain the July 10 arrest of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail. Full Story
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![DPS Director Col. Steve McCraw answers questions from State Rep. Garnet Coleman during invited testimony of the House Committee on County Affairs investigating the Sandra Bland death in Waller County on July 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Jerry Patterson to George P. Bush: Focus Less on "Derriere"
Upset about the way a recent state audit painted the agency he lead for 12 years, former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is jabbing his successor, George P. Bush, for failing to push back against the audit’s findings. Full Story
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Mental Health Jail Check Failed in Bland Case
The Waller County Jail failed to complete a two-part mental health screening process as required by law during Sandra Bland's booking process, according to the state jail commission and at least one public policy group. Full Story
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![Waller County Jail booking video showing Sandra Bland appearing before Justice of the Peace Delores Hargrave.]()
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Analysis: Deflection by Officials is Worth Noting
It's diversion season: Top state officials, not surprisingly, would rather talk about red-meat political issues than indictments and legally contested budget vetoes. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton (left) and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
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TribCast: Planned Parenthood, Ken Paxton and Ted Cruz
On this week's TribCast, Evan talks with Ross, Patrick and Morgan about the politics of the Planned Parenthood videos and this week's Senate Health and Human Service Committee hearing, the latest on Attorney General Ken Paxton and that Collin County grand jury, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's beef with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Full Story
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