Laws
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They left Texas to survive. Now Seattle is scrambling to keep up
Seattle may declare a civil emergency is response to the influx of LGBTQIA+ people moving to the city from Texas and other red states.
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San Antonio restricts private ICE detention centers
Private companies are making billions locking up immigrants in Texas. Cities are starting to figure out how to fight back.
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Documentary explores Texas origins of Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that legalized abortions in the U.S, originated in Texas in 1970. It eventually was heard by the Supreme Court and for 50 years, it was the law of the land.
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Texas hemp businesses fear an uptick in police raids after more than 15 in the last two years
Attorneys for hemp businesses say the raids have hurt their revenue and reputation, while police said they’re necessary to root out products with illegal levels of THC.
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A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
Dozens of new Texas laws will take effect in December and January, bringing wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, law enforcement, taxes and more.
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New Texas energy package could help older adults in long-term care facilities during extreme weather
A growing body of research warns that climate disasters are disproportionately dangerous for older adults, especially those in long-term care settings who rely on others for essential support. Those risks are often compounded in rural areas, where resources are scarce and emergency support is slower to arrive.
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Report: 161 Texans killed by domestic violence in 2024
There were 161 domestic violence deaths in Texas last year, according to the Honoring Texas Victims report by the Texas Council on Family Violence.
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17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.
By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune “17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The…
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Texas election bill seeks to retain limits on same-day registration changes
Under legislation pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott, voters could update their address at the polls, but they couldn’t immediately cast a ballot based on the new one.
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Senate passes GOP’s tax and spending bill with Cornyn, Cruz priorities included
Following a 26-hour marathon voting session and lengthy, late-night negotiations, the U.S. Senate has passed its version of Republicans’ landmark tax and spending bill with both Texas senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, voting for the legislation.
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Here’s a running list of upcoming protests across Texas
A list of upcoming events and protests happening across Texas.
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Texas House signals expanding state’s medical marijuana program
House Bill 46 would increase the number of health conditions eligible and would offer smokeable products under the state’s medical marijuana program.
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Texas House votes to strictly define man and woman, excluding trans people from state records
If it becomes law, the bill would define sex based on reproductive organs and require state documents and policies to comply with that framework.
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The financial cost of autism management: Navigating expenses and resources
While all 50 U.S. states have laws requiring private insurers to cover some level of autism-related care, coverage details vary, and out-of-pocket costs can still be significant, Rula explains.
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Here are 7 of some of Texas’ most strange laws
If you’re tuned into Texas politics, it probably doesn’t surprise you that the state has laws that don’t make any sense in 2025. There must’ve been a time when making laws was fun and easy and state leaders, as well as city governments, started throwing any rule to the wall to see if it stuck.…
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Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department. That could hurt students with disabilities in Texas.
In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students will see an erosion of their disability rights protections. As the Trump administration pushes to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, advocates for students with disabilities worry that, without federal oversight, Texas will fail to provide adequate special education…
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Telehealth for pets? It’s the cat’s meow, a Texas lawmaker says.
Animal health care experts raised concern that telehealth would lead to misdiagnosis and erode what little care already exists in rural Texas.
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Congressman denounces ICE response about prosecutor operating racist X account
Last month, Congressman Marc Veasey, a North Texas Democrat, sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Deputy Director Kenneth Genalo demanding a swift investigation into James “Jim” Joseph Rodden, an ICE assistant chief counsel who acts as a prosecutor for ICE in immigration court in Dallas.
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‘Striking close to home’: Zoning bills tackling Texas affordable housing crisis evoke emotion
As part of a potential slate of solutions to Texas’ housing affordability crisis, state senators recently examined a bill authorizing the use of small auxiliary residences behind a larger main house.
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Federal investigators were preparing two Texas housing discrimination cases — until Trump took over
The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, only to suddenly reverse course under Trump.
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What Ever Happened to Ethics Reform?
The House speaker battle wasn’t really about cleaning house.
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Spring forward? Maybe not in Texas as lawmakers mull ending daylight savings time.
Texas lawmakers are reviving efforts to eliminate the decades-long practice of changing the clocks twice a year.
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Weed, wages, reproductive rights: 15 bills facing Texas lawmakers in 2025
More than 2,200 bills — from cannabis reform and public education to housing affordability — have been filed ahead of the start of the 89th Texas Legislature, which opens on Jan. 14. Here’s a recap of some of the proposed bills making headlines ahead of the legislature and how they could impact you. Legalizing recreational…
