The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Chaplains have been a part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since at least 1910, providing spiritual guidance and programs. Under the proposed House budget, all 121 Texas prison chaplains would lose their jobs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB8927.jpg)
New U.S. census data shows the Hispanic population in Texas increased by 42 percent since 2000 and makes up 38 percent of the population. The state's total population increased by 4,293,741 since 2000. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/census-counties-2000-2010.png)
The controversial abortion sonogram bill has passed the Senate by a vote of 21-10. Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, got the two-thirds vote needed to bring it to the floor, effectively ensuring it would pass. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA9014.jpg)
The 2010 official state musician of Texas sat down with the Tribune to talk about Gov. Rick Perry's proposal to suspend funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts and what it could mean for the state's students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Hickman_Video_Still.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-16_at_2.16.44_PM.png)
Texas, like many other states, is proposing billions of dollars in cuts to help close a budget gap. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, one thing Texas has that nobody else does is $9 billion in a piggy bank called the Rainy Day Fund — and lawmakers are divided over whether to crack it open. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasMoneyTree.jpg)
Texas, like many other states, is proposing billions of dollars in cuts to help close a budget gap. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, one thing Texas has that nobody else does is $9 billion in a piggy bank called the Rainy Day Fund — and lawmakers are divided over whether to crack it open. Full Story
To solve the state’s budget crisis, lawmakers are considering sweeping cuts to almost everything, from school funding to child welfare services. But a $300-million-a-year cancer institute championed by Gov. Rick Perry and Lance Armstrong has so far escaped the budget knife. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Cancer-Research.jpg)
This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Ben and Matt on the supermajority in the Texas House, possible federal court challenges, the coming Census numbers, the Howard/Neil election challenge and the public school budget battle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DanAndDonnaHouseFloor.jpg)
Put state Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, on the "maybe" list for Texas railroad commissioner — if there is such a thing when the job comes open. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3130c9670fc2165857973909a8082e27/BD%20INC%20Warren%20Chisum%20001%202010)
Organizations that provide legal services to those who can't afford them are quickly running out of money even as the need for their help is increasing, advocates said Wednesday at a press conference. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/ScalesofJustice.jpg)
Today, a week before his son is scheduled to die, Columbus Adams and a host of religious leaders asked the state to forgive Timothy Adams. His son, he said, never committed a crime before the day he lost control during an argument with his wife and killed their son. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/timothy_wayne_adams_2.jpg)
At this morning's TribLive conversation, three first-term Texas House members — Stefani Carter, R-Dallas; Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite; and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie — acknowledged that they'd like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/NewGuys_Still.jpg)
At this morning's TribLive conversation, three first-term Texas House members — Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie — acknowledged that they'd like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/NewGuys_Still.jpg)
Senate lawmakers unveiled bills today to reform how health care is paid for and how providers are held accountable for patient outcomes. Here's a look at how the wording of Texas' proposed reform legislation compares to the wording of the often-maligned federal health care reform law in Washington. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Dewhurst_health_reform.jpg)
A report from a conservative education think tank says social studies standards in Texas give students a distorted and politicized view of history that, in one case, resembles "Soviet schools harping on the glories of state socialism." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/us-textbooks.jpg)
State Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, has filed legislation to allow licensed handgun owners to carry concealed weapons on community college campuses. But some campus police fear it could actually put students and faculty in more danger. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/HandGuns.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry wants to keep a small-business tax break approved by lawmakers two years ago that, without legislative action, will require more businesses to pay franchise taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/iStock_000001334173Small.jpg)
The big power companies in Texas on the hot seat during a Senate hearing about this month's rolling blackouts have donated more than $400,000 since 2000 to members of the two committees asking questions. The donations are part of nearly $4 million in campaign money the companies and their employees have spent on political candidates during that time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/42499c24cf11ee75627de9b57645cfe3/BD%20INC%20Watson%2001%202011)
A loophole in state law allows cockfights in Texas to flourish and be a breeding ground for more serious criminal activity, including drug use, prostitution and trafficking associated with Mexican drug cartels, state lawmakers say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Cocks_0003_TXT_7228.jpg.jpg)