The Texas House voted Tuesday to use $212 million from the Rainy Day Fund, a savings account largely fed by oil and gas production taxes, to decrease premiums and deductibles for retired teachers in the state-run health insurance program.
85th Legislative Session
Posted inState Government
With retired teachers’ health care at stake, legislators clash on fixes
The House and the Senate are figuring out whether they can compromise on exactly how to put $212 million into an underfunded health insurance program for retired teachers. Teachers say they’ll take their frustration to the polls.
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TribCast
Special session update, Rick Perry and Dawnna Dukes (podcast)
On this week’s TribCast, Aman talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about how the special session might end now that we’re at the halfway point and reports that Rick Perry might be Trump’s next head of Homeland Security. Plus, an update on Dawnna Dukes’ corruption case.
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State Government
Halfway through special session, Patrick wants “better communications” with House
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick marked the halfway point of the special session Tuesday by calling for “better communications” with the House, which has moved much slower on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda than Patrick’s Senate has.
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State Government
Travis County District Attorney rescinds offer to drop charges against Rep. Dukes
The Travis County District Attorney’s office on Tuesday said its offer to drop all corruption charges against state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, in exchange for her agreeing to resign immediately had expired.
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Politics
Dallas, Fort Worth mayors discuss meeting with Abbott (video)
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price talked about their Tuesday meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott about several local control issues he put on the agenda for the special legislative session.
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State Government
Power Trips: Who should regulate property tax rates? Give us your take.
The Texas Tribune wants to know more about how rising property tax rates are affecting people across Texas — and who should have the final say.
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Health care
Bathroom bill debate highlights barriers to updating birth certificate in Texas
The ongoing debate over bathroom restrictions for transgender Texans has shed a light on the complex process individuals face in changing their birth certificates.
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State Government
Senate speeds through the special session
The Texas Senate is just about done passing bills on Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session agenda, including the controversial “bathroom bill.”
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Health care
Texans with disabilities say bathroom bill could further complicate their lives
When it comes to this summer’s “bathroom bill,” Texans with disabilities say they — like many transgender men and women — believe the Legislature is further complicating something that’s already difficult to navigate.