GOVERNMENT | The Texas Tribune

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href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://support.texastribune.org/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-support-us-front-page-btn120x60.jpg) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-07-07T23:33:37.831794">Tuesday, July 7, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content index"> <header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/government/">GOVERNMENT</a><a class="subsection_toggle"><i class="icon-caret-down"></i></a></h1><ul class="subsection_menu"><li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/government/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/government/legislature/">Legislature</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/government/state-agencies/">State Agencies</a></li></ul><script> $(window).load(function () { $('.subsection_toggle').click(function(e){ e.preventDefault(); $('.subsection_menu').slideToggle('fast', function() {}); }); }); </script></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/">Otto, House's Lead Budget Writer, Announces He Won't Seek Re-election</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Jul 2015 15:30:01 -0500" title="2015-07-07 15:30"> July 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>After a decade in the Texas House and fresh off his first session as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, state Rep. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/john-otto/" data-tooltip="/directory/john-otto/quicklook/">John Otto</a><span>, R-Dayton, announced Tuesday that he is not planning to seek re-election.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> <aside class="related"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h2>Related</h2> </header> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/">Catch Up on Budget & Tax Issues From This Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/02/look-final-2016-17-budget/">A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget</a></li> </ul> </aside> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_8861_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_8861_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Allen Otto</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/">Democrats Ask Abbott for Task Force on Confederate Monuments</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 16:52:23 -0500" title="2015-07-06 16:52"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/comments/"><span class="value">24</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Five Democratic lawmakers have asked Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> to form a task force to consider the appropriateness of Confederate monuments located on the Capitol grounds in Austin.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9733_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9733_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/">Cecil Bell Urges Resistance to Gay Marriage Ruling</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ally-mutnick/">Ally Mutnick</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 16:50:51 -0500" title="2015-07-06 16:50"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/comments/"><span class="value">126</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>State Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/cecil-bell-jr/">Cecil Bell Jr</a>. didn't announce a speaker bid on Monday, instead focusing his much-hyped "major announcement" on a call for citizens and states to resist the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/">Gay Couple Suing Hood County Gets Marriage License</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 11:27:27 -0500" title="2015-07-06 11:27"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>A Granbury gay couple on Monday obtained </span><span>a</span><span> </span><span>marriage license from the Hood County Clerk's office after filing a lawsuit </span><span>against the clerk</span><span> in federal court.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/">Democrats Ask Abbott for Task Force on Confederate Monuments</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 16:52:23 -0500" title="2015-07-06 16:52"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/comments/"><span class="value">24</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_8861_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_8861_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Allen Otto</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Confederate Soldiers Monument聽聽at the Texas Capitol</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Five Democratic lawmakers have asked Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> to form a task force to consider the appropriateness of Confederate monuments located on the Capitol grounds in Austin.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/democrats-want-task-force-confederate-monuments/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/">Cecil Bell Urges Resistance to Gay Marriage Ruling</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ally-mutnick/">Ally Mutnick</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 16:50:51 -0500" title="2015-07-06 16:50"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/comments/"><span class="value">126</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9733_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/14/IMG_9733_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>State Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/cecil-bell-jr/">Cecil Bell Jr</a>. didn't announce a speaker bid on Monday, instead focusing his much-hyped "major announcement" on a call for citizens and states to resist the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/cecil-bell-calls-mass-resistance-court-rulings/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/">Gay Couple Suing Hood County Gets Marriage License</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 11:27:27 -0500" title="2015-07-06 11:27"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A Granbury gay couple on Monday obtained </span><span>a</span><span> </span><span>marriage license from the Hood County Clerk's office after filing a lawsuit </span><span>against the clerk</span><span> in federal court.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/gay-couple-sues-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-li/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/">Government Salary Database Updated</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, Noah Seger and Gerald Rich </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 9 Oct 2012 06:00:00 -0500" title="2012-10-09 06:00"> Oct. 9, 2012 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman / Steven Leggett</cite> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/analysis-redistricting-reformers-hopeful-pessimist/">Analysis: Redistricting Reformers Remain Pessimistic After Ruling</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-06 06:00"> July 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/analysis-redistricting-reformers-hopeful-pessimist/comments/"><span class="value">22</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/analysis-redistricting-reformers-hopeful-pessimist/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/07/Donna-Howard_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Donna Howard (D-48) on the floor of the Texas House, February 15, 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/07/Donna-Howard_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Donna Howard (D-48) on the floor of the Texas House, February 15, 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Donna Howard (D-48) on the floor of the Texas House, February 15, 2011.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The U.S. Supreme Court says it is constitutional to let nonlegislators draw the political maps from which legislators are elected. But that doesn't mean it's going to happen in Texas.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/analysis-redistricting-reformers-hopeful-pessimist/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/05/courts-balancing-of-gay-rights-religious-liberty/">Conservative Lawyers Prepare to Defend Same-Sex Marriage Opponents</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 5 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-05 06:00"> July 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/05/courts-balancing-of-gay-rights-religious-liberty/comments/"><span class="value">58</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/05/courts-balancing-of-gay-rights-religious-liberty/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/29/7C2A0311_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Dr. Sid Hall, Senior Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church wears a rainbow pin on his lapel during HRS press conference at Texas Capitol June 29, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/29/7C2A0311_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Dr. Sid Hall, Senior Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church wears a rainbow pin on his lapel during HRS press conference at Texas Capitol June 29, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Dr. Sid Hall, Senior Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church wears a rainbow pin on his lapel during HRS press conference at Texas Capitol June 29, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>With Republican leaders vowing to protect the religious freedom of government officials <span id="docs-internal-guid-16a604e1-50f3-c452-b866-dcc69033ce67">who refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, here's a look at the </span></span><span>legal arguments conservative attorneys plan to use to defend those officials in court. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/05/courts-balancing-of-gay-rights-religious-liberty/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/texas-struggles-attract-mental-health-care-workers/">Texas Hopes to Attract More Mental Health Care Workers</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 4 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-04 06:00"> July 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/texas-struggles-attract-mental-health-care-workers/comments/"><span class="value">38</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/texas-struggles-attract-mental-health-care-workers/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/01/untitled-006-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Mental health rally at the Texas Capitol organized by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, on Feb. 28, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/01/untitled-006-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Mental health rally at the Texas Capitol organized by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, on Feb. 28, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Mental health rally at the Texas Capitol organized by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, on Feb. 28, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A program created this year will help pay mental health professionals’ student loans if they practice in a medically needy area. </span><span>The program seeks to alleviate the state’s shortage of mental health professionals, which watchdogs are calling a "public health emergency."</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/texas-struggles-attract-mental-health-care-workers/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/patrick-dissolves-grassroots-advisory-board/">Patrick Dissolves His Advisory Board</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/">Emily Ramshaw</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Jul 2015 16:52:39 -0500" title="2015-07-03 16:52"> July 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/patrick-dissolves-grassroots-advisory-board/comments/"><span class="value">31</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/patrick-dissolves-grassroots-advisory-board/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6516_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6516_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> is dissolving the grassroots advisory board he established in January, saying several of its members, including Tea Party organizer JoAnn Fleming, "expressed a desire for greater independence." </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/patrick-dissolves-grassroots-advisory-board/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/paxton-potential-indictment-politically-motivated/">Paxton Blasts Potential Indictment as "Politically Motivated"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 15:09:06 -0500" title="2015-07-02 15:09"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/paxton-potential-indictment-politically-motivated/comments/"><span class="value">100</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/paxton-potential-indictment-politically-motivated/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/UP9A8500_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/UP9A8500_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>In a statement, Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> says the prosecutors pursuing a felony fraud indictment against him are inexperienced and politically motivated.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/paxton-potential-indictment-politically-motivated/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/video-supreme-court-rulings-outsized-impact-texas/">Video: Supreme Court Rulings and Their Texas Impact</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> and <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-02 06:00"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/video-supreme-court-rulings-outsized-impact-texas/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/video-supreme-court-rulings-outsized-impact-texas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A number of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions profoundly impact Texans’ way of life — whether you think the justices got it right or not. The state’s outsize role in constitutional law is nothing new, one law professor says.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/video-supreme-court-rulings-outsized-impact-texas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/potential-case-against-paxton-appears-grow-serious/">Prosecutors Developing Criminal Case Against Attorney General Paxton</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 21:46:03 -0500" title="2015-07-01 21:46"> July 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/potential-case-against-paxton-appears-grow-serious/comments/"><span class="value">82</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/potential-case-against-paxton-appears-grow-serious/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8842_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8842_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media after keynoting a June 2015 event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a>'s legal troubles — stemming for his admission last year that he violated state securities law — may be getting more serious. A special prosecutor says he plans to start presenting evidence in less than a month seeking to indict the attorney general for first-degree felony securities fraud.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/potential-case-against-paxton-appears-grow-serious/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/texas-concedes-legal-challenge-ban-gay-marriage/">Texas Concedes Legal Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage Ban</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 16:34:34 -0500" title="2015-07-01 16:34"> July 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/texas-concedes-legal-challenge-ban-gay-marriage/comments/"><span class="value">32</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/texas-concedes-legal-challenge-ban-gay-marriage/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/07/5thCircuit_copy_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals building in New Orleans"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/07/5thCircuit_copy_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals building in New Orleans" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Alexa Ura</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals building in New Orleans</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/26/supreme-court-ruling-gay-marriage/" target="_blank">ruling on Friday</a>, the Texas attorney general's office conceded a separate legal challenge to the state's ban on same-sex marriage. A federal appeals court then affirmed a lower court's ruling that overturned the state's ban.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/texas-concedes-legal-challenge-ban-gay-marriage/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/">Video: Houston and the 84th Legislature</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 16:12:29 -0500" title="2015-07-01 16:12"> July 1, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Full video of my 6/29 conversation about Houston and the 84th legislative session with state Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/brandon-creighton/">Brandon Creighton</a>, R-Conroe, and state Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sylvester-turner/">Sylvester Turner</a>, D-Houston.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/despite-change-many-schools-wont-offer-fatty-foods/">Big Schools Don't Fry: Not All Districts Warm to Miller's Initiative</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-01 06:00"> July 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/despite-change-many-schools-wont-offer-fatty-foods/comments/"><span class="value">96</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/despite-change-many-schools-wont-offer-fatty-foods/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/7C2A0054_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/7C2A0054_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Soda machines and deep fat fryers are now allowed back in Texas public schools, thanks to Agriculture Commissioner <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sid-miller/">Sid Miller</a>'s reversal of a 10-year ban. But many school districts say they have no appetite for reinstating the unhealthy choices for students.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/despite-change-many-schools-wont-offer-fatty-foods/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/06/analysis-redistricting-reformers-hopeful-pessimist/">Analysis: Redistricting Reformers Remain Pessimistic After Ruling</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/05/courts-balancing-of-gay-rights-religious-liberty/">Conservative Lawyers Prepare to Defend Same-Sex Marriage Opponents</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/texas-struggles-attract-mental-health-care-workers/">Texas Hopes to Attract More Mental Health Care Workers</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/patrick-dissolves-grassroots-advisory-board/">Patrick Dissolves His Advisory Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/texas-lawyers-threaten-file-complaint-against-paxt/">In Letter, Lawyers Threaten to File Complaint Against Paxton</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/will-texas-become-hub-gold-bugs/">In Planned Bullion Depository, Supporters See a Golden Opportunity</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/">State: Abortion Docs Still Need Admitting Privileges</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/gay-couple-sue-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-lic/">Gay Couple to Sue Hood County Clerk Over Marriage License</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/analysis-paxton-bumpy-start-big-stage/">Analysis: For Paxton, a Bumpy Start on the Big Stage</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/cecil-bell-might-announce-speaker-bid-monday/">Cecil Bell Could Announce Speaker Bid on Monday</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/paxton-potential-indictment-politically-motivated/">Paxton Blasts Potential Indictment as "Politically Motivated"</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/video-supreme-court-rulings-outsized-impact-texas/">Video: Supreme Court Rulings and Their Texas Impact</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/potential-case-against-paxton-appears-grow-serious/">Prosecutors Developing Criminal Case Against Attorney General Paxton</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/texas-concedes-legal-challenge-ban-gay-marriage/">Texas Concedes Legal Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage Ban</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/">Video: Houston and the 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/despite-change-many-schools-wont-offer-fatty-foods/">Big Schools Don't Fry: Not All Districts Warm to Miller's Initiative</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/1997-memorial-day-massacre/">1997 Memorial Day Massacre</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2011-budget-shortfall/">2011 Budget Shortfall</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2013-house-speaker-race/">2013 House Speaker Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2016-presidential-election/">2016 Presidential Election</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/82nd-legislative-session/">82nd Legislative Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/82nd-session-transcripts/">82nd Session Transcripts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/83rd-legislative-session/">83rd Legislative Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/previewing-the-84th-legislature/">Previewing the 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/previewing-the-84th-legislature/">Previewing the 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/abortion-sonogram-bill/">Abortion Sonogram Bill</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/aging-and-disability-services/">Aging And Disability Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/bidness-as-usual/">Bidness As Usual Project</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/budgetline/">Budgetline</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/budgetline/">Budgetline</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/cancer-prevention-and-research-institute-of-texas-cprit/">Cancer Prevention And Research Institute Of Texas (CPRIT)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/child-protective-services/">Child Protective Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-contracts/">State Contracts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-contracts/">State Contracts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-contracts/">State Contracts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/craddick-ds/">Craddick D's</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/data-consolidation/">Data Consolidation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-agriculture/">Department Of Agriculture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-public-safety/">Department Of Public Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-state-health-services/">Department of State Health Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/dept-of-assistive-and-rehabilitative-services/">Dept Of Assistive And Rehabilitative Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/division-of-workers-compensation/">Division Of Workers' Compensation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/employee-retirement-system/">Employee Retirement System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/gaminggambling/">Gaming/gambling</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/gang-of-11/">Gang Of 11</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/governors-mansion-fire/">Governor's Mansion Fire</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/housing-and-community-affairs/">Housing And Community Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/will-hurd/">Will Hurd</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/kyle-janek/">Kyle Janek</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-budget-board/">Legislative Budget Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-council/">Legislative Council</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-redistricting-board/">Legislative Redistricting Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/licensing-and-regulation/">Licensing and Regulation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/lieutenant-governor/">Lieutenant Governor</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/lottery-commission/">Lottery Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/pension-review-board/">Pension Review Board</a></li> 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href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/voter-id/">Voter ID</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer class="clearfix featurebox-footer"> <a target="_blank" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/"> <span>+</span> View All </a> </footer> </aside> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_RightRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab video"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Video</h1> <h2><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/">Video: Houston and the 84th Legislature</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 16:12:29 -0500" title="2015-07-01 16:12"> July 1, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/texas-lawyers-threaten-file-complaint-against-paxt/">In Letter, Lawyers Threaten to File Complaint Against Paxton</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Jul 2015 10:20:35 -0500" title="2015-07-03 10:20"> July 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/texas-lawyers-threaten-file-complaint-against-paxt/comments/"><span class="value">116</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/texas-lawyers-threaten-file-complaint-against-paxt/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/25/kenpaxton13_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Senator Ken Paxton listens to a supporter following his announcement to run for Attorney General on Thursday, August 1, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/25/kenpaxton13_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Senator Ken Paxton listens to a supporter following his announcement to run for Attorney General on Thursday, August 1, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Laura Buckman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Senator Ken Paxton listens to a supporter following his announcement to run for Attorney General on Thursday, August 1, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Roughly 150 Texas attorneys have signed on to a letter threatening to file a complaint with the State Bar of Texas against Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> for his response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/texas-lawyers-threaten-file-complaint-against-paxt/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/will-texas-become-hub-gold-bugs/">In Planned Bullion Depository, Supporters See a Golden Opportunity</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Jul 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-07-03 06:00"> July 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/will-texas-become-hub-gold-bugs/comments/"><span class="value">40</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/will-texas-become-hub-gold-bugs/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/02/Texas-Gold-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/02/Texas-Gold-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>As Texas develops the nation's first state-run bullion depository, supporters predict the state could become a national destination for investors in <span>gold, silver and other precious metals.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/03/will-texas-become-hub-gold-bugs/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/">State: Abortion Docs Still Need Admitting Privileges</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a> and <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 20:31:35 -0500" title="2015-07-02 20:31"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/22/Protesters-Split_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/22/Protesters-Split_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling allowing some Texas abortion clinics to remain open, the Texas Department of State Health Services said on Thursday that </span><span>doctors performing abortions must still obtain admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/gay-couple-sue-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-lic/">Gay Couple to Sue Hood County Clerk Over Marriage License</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 19:08:10 -0500" title="2015-07-02 19:08"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/gay-couple-sue-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-lic/comments/"><span class="value">53</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/gay-couple-sue-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-lic/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/01/TexasSupremeCourt_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Attorneys for a same-sex couple are preparing to sue Hood County Clerk Katie Lang after the couple was unable to obtain a marriage license.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/gay-couple-sue-hood-county-clerk-over-marriage-lic/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/analysis-paxton-bumpy-start-big-stage/">Analysis: For Paxton, a Bumpy Start on the Big Stage</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 16:55:26 -0500" title="2015-07-02 16:55"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/analysis-paxton-bumpy-start-big-stage/comments/"><span class="value">38</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/analysis-paxton-bumpy-start-big-stage/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8603_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's opening of its new building on April 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8603_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's opening of its new building on April 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's opening of its new building on April 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Most Texans don't know who <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> is, and a pending investigation and a waiting grand jury could leave them with a bad first impression of the state's new attorney general.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/analysis-paxton-bumpy-start-big-stage/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/cecil-bell-might-announce-speaker-bid-monday/">Cecil Bell Could Announce Speaker Bid on Monday</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ally-mutnick/">Ally Mutnick</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Jul 2015 16:11:47 -0500" title="2015-07-02 16:11"> July 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/cecil-bell-might-announce-speaker-bid-monday/comments/"><span class="value">16</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/cecil-bell-might-announce-speaker-bid-monday/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9736_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia on the House floor, May 13, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9736_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia on the House floor, May 13, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia on the House floor, May 13, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p dir="ltr">State Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/cecil-bell-jr/">Cecil Bell Jr.</a>, R-Magnolia, has a “major announcement” to make on Monday — and while he’s mum on the details, the Southeast Texas lawmaker didn’t deny that it would include a bid for speaker of the Texas House.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/02/cecil-bell-might-announce-speaker-bid-monday/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/government/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/mallory-busch/">Mallory Busch</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a 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Mittra</a> </dd> </div> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ally-mutnick/">Ally Mutnick</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-muto/">David Muto</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-pasztor/">David Pasztor</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/">Emily Ramshaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/polo-rocha/">Polo Rocha</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708043341/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-watkins/">Matthew Watkins</a> </dd> </div> 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