Nonpartisan. Nonprofit. Support Us.

Texas picklers get a victory from the Legislature

by Shannon Najmabadi

A proposal on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott would make it easier for pickled beets, carrots and other produce to be easily sold at farmers’ markets alongside pickled cucumbers.

Here’s how some of the Texas Legislature’s most important bills are faring in the 2019 session

by The Texas Tribune

Lawmakers filed thousands of bills during the 2019 legislative session, and most will fail. Here’s a look at the status of 25 of the most notable bills in 2019.

Latest News

Texas to hold hearing on Sandra Bland's arrest following release of new cellphone video

by Alex Samuels May 24, 2019

The hearing comes after publication of a video that Bland recorded during her confrontation with a state trooper before her death and will feature officials from the Texas Attorney General's office and the director of the Department of Public Safety. You can watch a livestream here.

Analysis: Texas lawmakers struggling to find a loveable tax

by Ross Ramsey May 24, 2019

Even in a legislative session that began with estimates of a generous increase in state revenue, lawmakers spent a lot of time talking about big, big tax bills — all the way to the end.

The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors.

The Texas Republican Party platform supports some marijuana expansions. So, why doesn’t Dan Patrick?

by Forrest Milburn May 24, 2019

Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said a bill that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana was "dead on arrival" in the Senate. But his own party's platform supports marijuana decriminalization. So, what gives?

Texas lawmakers send “born alive” abortion bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk

by Arya Sundaram Updated: May 23, 2019

The bill would impose penalties on doctors who fail to treat infants born after failed abortion attempts. However, such instances are extremely rare.

Critics say Texas' Driver Responsibility Program can trap poor people in a cycle of debt. It looks like it's about to be abolished.

by Arya Sundaram Updated: May 23, 2019

The bill to end the unpopular program, which adds annual surcharges on top of traffic fines — and prompts the suspension of millions of driver's licenses — is headed for Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. If he signs it, pending surcharges will be dropped.

U.S. Senate passes disaster aid bill that would release billions for Harvey housing aid

by Abby Livingston May 23, 2019

Texans in Congress have been working for over a year to get the Trump administration to release more than $4 billion in funds appropriated to the state following Hurricane Harvey.

Texas' legislative leaders say they have a deal on school finance and property tax reform

by Cassandra Pollock and Aliyya Swaby Updated: May 23, 2019

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced they have finalized the details of the three bills that will accomplish their top policy goals.

Watch Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen announce school finance deal

by Bobby Blanchard May 23, 2019

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen spoke to news outlets as the Texas legislative session neared its end.

Texas A&M won't renew President Michael Young's contract — but says there's no plan for him to leave

by Shannon Najmabadi May 23, 2019

“We look forward to your continued service as our president,” A&M System Chancellor John Sharp wrote in a letter to Young.

Border Patrol quarantines migrants at McAllen facility amid flu outbreak

by Meagan Flynn, The Washington Post May 23, 2019

The quarantine of nearly three dozen migrants at the agency's central processing center happened a day after the death of a 16-year-old who had contracted the flu.

Point of Order: Kum-bye-a

by Evan Smith and Todd Wiseman May 23, 2019

In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Reps. Ina Minjarez and Matt Krause about the issues that have divided an otherwise unified House in the last weeks of the session, including abortion and religious liberty.

Paid sick-leave ordinances likely survived the Texas Legislature. But businesses still want to kill them.

by Alex Samuels May 23, 2019

Angry that the Legislature failed to overrule local ordinances requiring private employers to offer paid sick leave, many business groups are hoping the courts will finish the job for them.

The Driver Responsibility Program may soon be dead. But reform is unlikely for a similar program.

by Arya Sundaram May 23, 2019

A bill to kill one program that critics say traps low-income drivers in a cycle of debt, is nearing the governor's desk, but bills to reform the similar Omni program look all but dead as the legislative session winds down.

Senate moves to let breweries sell beer to go, make it easier to own several liquor stores

by Catherine Marfin May 22, 2019

The upper chamber added those changes to a broader bill that must pass for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue functioning. The House has already signaled it would let breweries sell beer to go.

Bill to better protect landowners during land condemnations passes Texas House

by Carlos Anchondo May 22, 2019

Although it cut some provisions from the Senate version, the House committee substitute to Senate Bill 421 keeps public meeting requirements and protects against low-ball offers for landowners facing eminent domain actions.

TribCast: Stickland's bomb-throwing, O'Rourke's reboot

by Todd Wiseman and Emily Ramshaw May 22, 2019

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Emma and Patrick about the Texas House's resident bomb-thrower, the most controversial bills still moving in the Legislature and Beto O'Rourke's attempted presidential reboot.

Texas expansion of medical cannabis nears finish line after Senate approval

by Alex Samuels May 22, 2019

If the House approves changes made by the upper chamber, the bill will head to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

A Lege wrap-up conversation with state Reps. Gonzalez, Leach and Springer

by Texas Tribune Staff May 22, 2019

Watch our conversation about how the Texas House did during the 86th legislative session with State Reps. Mary Gonzalez, Jeff Leach and Drew Springer, moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith.

Analysis: Tinkering with the 2020 elections in the Texas Legislature

by Ross Ramsey May 22, 2019

The power of incumbency is more than raising money for campaigns and having a well-known political name. Changing the state's election laws — or even debating issues that resonate strongly with voters — can set the rules and frame the arguments for the next election cycle.

More News