The regular 2023 legislative session is over. Here’s how the most consequential bills fared.
A look at which bills passed and which failed during the 2023 legislative session. Full Story
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Featured coverage
Watch: Live video from the Texas House and Senate
The Texas Tribune is streaming the 2023 legislative session live from the Texas House and Senate chambers. The session runs from Jan. 10 to May 29. Full Story
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Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws
Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome. Full Story
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Latest coverage
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Former Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti, convicted for his role in Ponzi scheme, released from prison
The Democrat from San Antonio was initially sentenced in 2018 to 12 years in federal prison. His sentence was later reduced, and he will stay in a halfway house until December 2024. Full Story
![Carlos Uresti talks with the media following his sentencing in Federal Court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator will be released today from federal prison after serving more than 4 years of a 12-year sentence.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Voting by mail in Texas will get a little easier with these legislative fixes
Two bipartisan bills passed this session will give voters more time and opportunities to fix mistakes when they request and return ballots by mail. Full Story
![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposals
A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday. Full Story
![Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
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State Rep. Jacey Jetton, called to military service, chooses his wife as temporary replacement
Under a provision of the Texas Constitution, Fanny Jetton will represent her husband’s Houston suburban district during the Legislature’s second special session. Full Story
![Fanny Jetton is sworn in as a replacement for her husband, state Rep. Jacey Jetton, R-Richmond, after he was called away for active military duty, by House Speaker Dade Phelan at the start of the second special session on the House floor at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
A property tax deal has eluded Texas lawmakers. Here’s where things stand at the start of another special session.
Top Republicans promised property tax cuts, but have been locked in standoffs on how to achieve it. Gov. Greg Abbott has called another overtime legislative session in hopes of solidifying a plan. Full Story
![A house in the Windsor Park neighborhood of East Austin on Nov. 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
First special session ends with no new laws, Texas lawmakers still deadlocked on property taxes
Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to the Capitol for round two, hoping to break an impasse that has outlasted the regular session and one overtime period. Full Story
![The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6, 2023 in Austin.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M University System starts “ethics and compliance review” of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts ahead of ban
According to a June 13 letter, all Texas A&M universities must provide details on a wide range of programs, trainings and presentations that touch on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus, including faculty organizations and mission statements. Full Story
![Texas A&M University in College Station.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Despite promise of “total transparency,” secrecy will be a big part of Ken Paxton impeachment trial
From deliberations to documents, the Texas Senate’s rules create an opaque process for the suspended attorney general’s impeachment trial, set to begin Sept. 5. Full Story
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recaps the 88th Legislative Session with Sherry Sylvester, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, at TPPF Headquarters in downtown Austin, on May 30, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate’s handling of Angela Paxton’s role gives small boost to her husband in pending impeachment trial
Sen. Angela Paxton will have no say in deliberations to convict or acquit impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, but she will sit on the Senate court of impeachment. That means 21, not 20, votes will be needed to convict. Full Story
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton takes the oath of office for the third time from Gov. Greg Abbott, as his wife, state Sen. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, holds the Sam Houston bible.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
House impeachment managers got most of what they wanted in trial rules adopted by the Texas Senate
Supporters and opponents of impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton pressed for favorable rules governing a Senate trial that will begin on Sept. 5. Full Story
![State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, chair of the board of impeachment managers, delivers the 20 articles of impeachment adopted by the House to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, to the Senate on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The 2023 Texas Senate, from right to left
Here’s a look at Senate members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on votes cast during the 2023 regular session. Full Story
![The state Senate floor in Austin on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mail
The bipartisan legislation was long sought by advocates for disabled voters, including some of the governor’s own allies. Full Story
![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives a speech in the Senate chamber of the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the 2023 Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Alamo redevelopment gets $400 million boost from Texas Legislature
Plans aim to preserve the San Antonio site’s historic structures and paint a full picture of its history. An estimated 2.5 million people visit the Alamo each year, making it one of the state’s top destinations. Full Story
![An Alamo Ranger guards the Alamo on the evening of Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators include more property tax cuts for businesses in new pitch to break impasse with House
The Senate’s latest proposal is an apparent effort to appease Gov. Greg Abbott and the lower chamber. The state’s top Republicans have been at odds for months over how to use the state’s historic budget surplus to cut property taxes. Full Story
![A home in a Houston neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The 2023 Texas House, from right to left
Here’s a look at House members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on votes cast during the 2023 regular session. Full Story
![Members vote to approve an anti-voucher amendment brought by state rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, during a marathon session on the House floor to approve HB-1 at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial will begin Sept. 5, with his attendance required
Senators, who will sit as a court of impeachment for the suspended attorney general, spent two days drafting rules that were adopted late Wednesday. Full Story
![State Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, speaks at a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Some conservatives’ long-term goal in property tax fight: get rid of school taxes altogether
Gov. Greg Abbott has thrown his weight behind the idea being pushed by an influential conservative think tank. Many school leaders are worried. Full Story
![A neighborhood in Austin, in 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/The Texas Tribune -
As Texas swelters, local rules requiring water breaks for construction workers will soon be nullified
Gov. Greg Abbott approved this week a law that will eliminate city and county ordinances like Austin and Dallas’ mandated water breaks. Full Story
![Construction laborers work in Downtown Austin on June 29, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Meet the 4 whistleblowers behind most of the impeachment allegations against Ken Paxton
Once high-ranking officials in the attorney general’s office, the four were fired after reporting concerns about Paxton’s behavior to law enforcement. Full Story
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps to the podium to make a statement to the press on May 26, 2023, a day before a scheduled impeachment vote. Behind him, from left: Tommy Tran, executive assistant; James R. Lloyd, associate deputy attorney general for civil litigation; Austin A. Kinghorn, associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel; Ryan Fisher, director of government relations; Joshua Reno, deputy attorney general for criminal justice; and Suzanna Hupp, special adviser.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Here are the top allegations that led to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment
In 2020, deputies in the attorney general’s office met with FBI agents to accuse their boss of misconduct. Their accusations would form the backbone of articles of impeachment against one of the state’s most powerful officials. Full Story
![Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony of Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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