Problems with the state’s data led to initial reports that Texas’ maternal mortality rate was far higher than it is.
86th Legislative Session
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Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott signs several school safety bills in wake of shooting at Santa Fe High
The bills would, among other things, strengthen mental health initiatives available to children, abolish the cap on how many school marshals can carry guns on public school campuses and allot money to school districts that can go toward “hardening” their campuses.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“No fist fights. No gun threats.” Lawmakers give 86th Texas Legislature high marks
Members of the Texas House and Senate wasted little time touting the never-ending “kumbaya” feeling that enabled them to reform school finance and property taxes. For those who covered the Capitol, a substantive, successful session meant a “boring” one.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Some Texas gun rights groups oppose a state-funded gun storage safety campaign. But not the NRA.
Some gun rights groups want Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a line item in the Texas budget that puts $1 million toward a public safety campaign on gun storage. But one powerful bloc isn’t actively opposing the measure: the National Rifle Association.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Abbott vetoes popular domestic violence bill because of an unrelated provision about radioactive waste fees
The bill would have required domestic violence survivors to be notified when offenders are released on bond. But the Republican governor nixed the legislation over a provision by Democratic state Rep. Poncho Nevárez that would have delayed a West Texas waste facility’s increase in state fees.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: What’s a botched voter purge between friends?
Gov. Greg Abbott added David Whitley to his state staff after Texas Senate Democrats refused to confirm Whitley as secretary of state. Whitley’s handling of a botched voter citizenship review undermined his Senate support. But isn’t the hiring a sign that the governor didn’t mind?
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas governor signs bills to combat human trafficking, aid sexual assault survivors
The bills aim to create a “hostile environment” for human trafficking in Texas and address sexual assault, said Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing ceremony Tuesday in Dallas.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott says he can keep plumbing board alive without special session
“We’ve got this,” the governor tells plumbers worried as their profession faces deregulation next year in Texas.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The Texas Legislature has left Austin. Now what?
Lawmakers are gone, and the legislative season is over. Cue up the 2020 elections!
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas has more than 200 freestanding ERs. Lawmakers just passed bills to combat patient confusion and price gouging.
One bill awaiting action by the governor will require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged.