Sen. Kirk Watson on the 86th Texas Legislature

“In Texas, we don’t focus on what our needs are; we focus on what we want to pay”

"...fifth term representing most of the city in the Texas Senate. His committee posts have included Finance, Health &..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Sine Die at the 86th Texas Legislature

"...Sine die at the 86th Texas Legislature on May 27, 2019..."

May 28, 2019 Photo Gallery

Lege Lines: Only 139 Days to Go for the 86th Texas Legislature

House, Senate gavel in with new leadership

"...on Tuesday, Jan. 8, the first day of the 86th Texas Legislature. The halls buzzed with advocates, spectators, and..."

Jan. 11, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Rep. John Bucy III on the 86th Texas Legislature

“We’ve got to do everything we can to keep attention on Medicaid expansion”

"...Austin. Bucy is the president and founder of the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League (TCSAAL), and former..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Rep. Vikki Goodwin on the 86th Texas Legislature

“I worry when people talk about property tax caps [and not] where the revenue is going to come from instead”

"...system. It hasn't been around long enough [for the Legislature] to make the decision on whether or not it's..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Rep. Donna Howard on the 86th Texas Legislature

“Let’s target some new money toward childhood literacy, toward high school success, toward teacher quality – the kind of things that research shows make a difference”

"...Typically, the Texas economy does very well, but we do sometimes have..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Rep. Erin Zwiener on the 86th Texas Legislature

“We were always very clear that being progressive and being tribalist weren’t the same thing”

"...is the connection between their property taxes and the legislature’s funding for public schools. A lot of folks didn’t..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez on the 86th Texas Legislature

“I’ll be working against issues that will unfairly treat Latinos in the state”

"...ER:I’ve been at the Legislature for 16 years and served with Dennis. We’ve gone..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Rep. Gina Hinojosa on the 86th Texas Legislature

“We need to have the state pay its fair share into the school finance system”

"...note: Hinojosa’s father Gilberto is the chair of the Texas Democratic Party.] That should apply to every decision we..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Rep. Sheryl Cole on the 86th Texas Legislature

“We’ve always been on defense, and we’ve got to learn how to play offense”

"...have the profile of schools in poor areas of Texas. It doesn’t make sense to not get credit for..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Looking Back at the Good and Bad of the 86th Texas Legislature

Sine dead!

"...We were promised an earnest, meat-and-potatoes, kinda boring 86th Texas Legislature, and that's more or less what we..."

May 31, 2019 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Rep. James Talarico on the 86th Texas Legislature

“There isn’t a blue or red way to fix public education – there’s only a right way”

"...Talarico (HD-52), one of the youngest members of the Texas House, was sworn in after his November election district..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Rep. Celia Israel on the 86th Texas Legislature

“Pandering to 3% of the electorate is not in anyone's best interest”

"...system "byzantine" … if I were the queen of Texas, I would have already called a special session. I..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Top 10 Hits of the 86th Texas Legislature

What antics did those state senators and representatives get up to this year?

"...1) "Bluer Than Blue." Twelve new Dems in the Texas House and two in the Senate lowered the fevered..."

Dec. 20, 2019 News Feature by the News Staff

Movies or Medicaid: A False Choice at the Texas Legislature

Another tug o’ war over funding for Texas’ film, TV, and gaming industry rebate program

"...from Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Dallas, as funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program took its traditional biennial..."

April 12, 2019 Screens Feature by Richard Whittaker

Meet the Texas Lawmaker Working to Ban Conversion Therapy

Rep. Celia Israel on politics, queerness, and transportation

"...In 1992, Celia Israel had one thing holding her..."

April 2, 2019 Qmmunity Post by Lilli Hime

Texas' Latest Pro-Gun Laws Kick In

Never let it be said that Texas lawmakers have done nothing to respond to mass shootings

"...Never let it be said that Texas lawmakers have done nothing to respond to increasingly frequent..."

Sept. 6, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Will Texas Patch Up TABC Before It Bursts?

If ever an agency needed to be scorched by the state’s Sunset Act, it’s the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Com­mis­sion

"...liquid fire of the state's Sunset Act, it's the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Com­mis­sion. For not just years but generations,..."

Feb. 1, 2019 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Death Watch: “Texas Seven” Member Contests “Law of Parties”

A robbery ended in a police officer death while Patrick Murphy waited outside. Current Texas law holds him responsible.

"...Editor’s Note: After this story went to press, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Patrick Murphy’s request to..."

March 22, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

What Time Is It in Texas?

Texas House wants to let voters decide whether to keep daylight saving time

May 3, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Central Texas Lawmakers Speak Out About the 86th Legislative Session

Interviews with the team representing 2.1 million Austin metro residents

"...It's hard to imagine the 86th Texas Legislature being any crazier than the last three,..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by the News Staff

Bad Bills Bite the Dust at the Legislature

Anti-voter, anti-worker, anti-woman, pro-slave-owner bills dead – for now

"...of the clock in the final week of the 86th Texas Legislature has signaled death by deadline for most..."

May 24, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

At the Capitol, Texas Tries to Catch Up With Cannabis

From medical use to decriminalization to legalization, marijuana seems to have bipartisan support, so what's taking so long?

"...Oklahoma's making Texas look bad. They've got a robust medical marijuana program,..."

May 3, 2019 News Feature by Kevin Curtin

Texas Lawmakers OK Medical Marijuana, Industrial Hemp

But goal of decriminalizing low-level possession unattained

"...the case on many policy fronts this session, the 86th Texas Legislature failed to bring the state into the..."

May 31, 2019 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Odds and Ends from the 86th Lege Session

Progress made for rape survivors, Beer-to-Go passes, and more

"...to collect information from organizations and government agencies across Texas to analyze gaps and promote best practices. Also, the..."

May 31, 2019 News Feature by The 'Chronicle' News staff

Texas Anti-Choice Legislation Continues to Damage Health Care and Undermine Local Control

As GOP postures with SB 22, women’s health care pays the price

"...year, that access is in jeopardy thanks to the Texas Legislature. Senate Bill 22 by anti-choice stalwart Sen. Donna..."

May 17, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Rare Wins for Workers' Rights at the Texas Lege

Cities win against local preemption bills

"...From the outset of the 86th Texas Legis­lature, Republican lawmakers, backed by Abbott and Patrick,..."

May 31, 2019 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Legislature Restores Public's Right to Know

Bipartisan public records bill likely to become law

"...contracting information that had become difficult to obtain after Texas Supreme Court rulings allowed companies to declare unspecified "proprietary"..."

May 24, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

With a Possible Update to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Former Council Members Recall Local Scandal

How a misunderstanding changed Austin politics

"...send to Gov. Greg Abbott an update to the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) to reinstate provisions, struck down..."

April 19, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Chick-fil-A, Saved by the Legislature

Religious exemption bill heads to governor's desk despite testimony from LGBTQ Caucus

May 24, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

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