The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As the Texas House discusses its budget plan Tuesday, you can use our Texas Legislative Guide to catch up on the budget process so far. Read more about what legislators have discussed, and get links to our past coverage. Full Story
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With more than 350 proposed amendments before then, the Texas House is likely to go well into the evening before getting to a final vote on the $210 billion budget. Early discussions addressed school funding and incentives programs. Full Story
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The Texas Senate has already passed a bill allowing handguns on college campuses. Now the House is poised to consider its own measure. Full Story
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Planning to follow the House's budget debate today? Better clear your schedule. The chamber is set to debate 354 amendments, which are likely to stir debate on issues like abortion, border security, school vouchers and more. Full Story
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Texas has joined a growing number of states moving quickly to outlaw powdered alcohol, a new product that health officials say could make it easier for minors to conceal and consume alcohol. Full Story
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As the Texas House prepares for a floor fight Tuesday over its budget, a flurry of amendments filed by Democrats seeks to defund the state's Alternatives to Abortion program. Full Story
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With the full Texas House set to discuss its proposed budget plan on Tuesday, use our Texas Legislative Guide to catch up on our coverage of issues related to the budget and taxes. Full Story
Leadership problems at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in the wake of a contracting scandal leave the agency too vulnerable to consolidate at this time, according to a report released Monday by Gov. Greg Abbott's "strike force" team. Full Story
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A frustrated regulator's letter suggesting the state drop enforcement of its ethics laws might spark some legislative action. That would be a gift for Gov. Greg Abbott, who wants ethics to be a signature issue this session. Full Story
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One name largely dominated the week in Texas politics – Ted Cruz. The launch of his 2016 presidential campaign filled the headlines. Meanwhile, in the Legislature, lawmakers were busy working on the budget and tax cuts. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Evan, Jay and Aman about Ted Cruz's presidential announcement, the differences between the House and Senate budgets and the Trib's major collaboration with the Houston Chronicle, "Blood Lessons." Full Story
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A Texas House committee on Thursday approved a bill from state Rep. Larry Phillips that would allow the open carry of handguns in the state. The legislation now goes to the House floor. A similar bill passed the Senate last week. Full Story
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Lawyers for some of the state's most active conservative groups expressed vocal opposition Wednesday to a series of ethics reform proposals. Full Story
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After fielding emotional pleas and various complaints in a committee hearing, state Rep. Cecil Bell plans to revise his bill that would bar the state from recognizing same-sex marriages even if the courts declare it legal. Full Story
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Dripping Springs state Rep. Jason Isaac went before the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday to make the case for his four-bill cocktail aimed at stopping a controversial groundwater pumping project in Hays County. Full Story
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The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s multibillion-dollar tax relief package to cut property and business margins taxes, tossing the ball into the House's court. Full Story
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A plan to privatize Terrell State Hospital is dead following a scathing audit that raps the state health commission for bypassing its own contracting procedures. Full Story
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The Texas House on Wednesday tentatively approved a statewide ban on texting while driving, a measure that made it all the way to Gov. Rick Perry's desk in 2011 before getting vetoed. Full Story
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Texas Republicans have long used the Affordable Care Act as a political punching bag, but that hasn’t stopped state budget writers from taking $102 million from the president's signature health care law to pay some bills. Full Story
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The Texas Ethics Commission can't do its job if compliance is "wholly voluntary," says one member who thinks the commission should stop all enforcement activities in response to a judge's recent dismissal of its ruling against conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. Full Story
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