The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/22/Protesters-Split.jpg)
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetTexas.jpg)
Seven months after a rag-tag group of local activists scored a surprising victory over the state’s powerful oil and gas industry when Denton voted to ban hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas company Monday resumed operations under a state law passed to overturn Denton's ban. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/EDIT_6-1-15_Fracking_5857.jpg)
Lawmakers in the State Capitol spent the final day of the 84th Legislature making speeches and saying farewell to colleagues who aren’t seeking another term. But before Monday, there was plenty of debate and bills passed on issues that impact every Texan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/SineDie046gavel.jpg)
Republicans went to war with one another over the idea of disclosing dark money. But they probably needn't bother. Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Monday that he thinks the idea is unconstitutional. Proponents of shining a light on it disagree. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/7C2A5636.jpg)
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/7C2A6926.jpg)
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/_BDA5206Farias.jpg)
The 84th Legislative Session is wrapping up today. Here's a selection of what journalists, lawmakers and others shared on social media, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6517.jpg)
Texas lawmakers started the legislative session without a list of big problems to solve or election mandates to fulfill. And they are ending it without the kinds of results that fill the history books. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/15/IMG_9857.jpg)
When the gavel comes down on the legislative session on Monday, lawmakers will have failed to pass into law about two dozen different proposals aimed at curbing conflicts of interest and shining light into the dark corners of the Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_3970.jpg)
You've spent the last five months with them — but how well do you really know Texas' state legislators? Take our House and Senate trivia quizzes to find out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/HouseQuiz.jpg)
The Railroad Commission of Texas is set to go under intense legislative scrutiny next session after all, under an agreement by state House and Senate lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/21/RRC-Seal.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/7C2A5410.jpg)
In the Roundup: With the budget passed, lawmakers shifted their attention in the final weekend of the 84th Legislature to guns – sending bills to Gov. Greg Abbott that change how and where you can carry a handgun. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Otto_budget.jpg)
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — following an emotional week of political drama over the issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/IsaacJason1_TT_crop.jpg)
Legislation that reforms the state's grand jury system now awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature after the House on Sunday approved a compromise between the two chambers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/gavel.jpg)
State Sen. Joan Huffman is facing criticism after authoring a measure allowing elected officials and bureaucrats to disclose less information about their spouses' property and financial activity. She says the change was needed to clarify an “unclear” Texas Ethics Commission rule. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/7C2A9889.jpg)
For five months, you've watched lawmakers spar, shout and lob parliamentary bombs. But how well do you really know the members of the Texas Senate? Take our quiz to find out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/SenateQuiz.jpg)
Lawmakers said Saturday they were unable to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill to tighten eligibility rules for a popular veterans' tuition program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/7C2A4747.jpg)
Texas politicians are on the verge of creating a new system for prosecuting a unique type of white-collar crime — the type that involves them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/UP9A4917.jpg)