Watch a June 6 conversation about North Texas and the 2023 Legislative Session
Our discussion will feature state Reps. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake; Victoria Neave Criado, D-Dallas; and Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie. Full Story
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In first session after Dobbs ruling, Texas lawmakers provide more support for pregnant and parenting college students
Now that Texas has a near-total ban on abortion, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are trying to make sure colleges are serving students who are pregnant or have children. Full Story
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![Isabel Torres works at the welcome desk at Austin Community College at Eastview on May 25, 2023. Torres is a single mother, and while completing her associates degree, needed daycare for her daughter. When she was offered a spot at the campus daycare, “It was like winning the lottery,” she said.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
Watch a Texas Tribune conversation on the 2023 regular legislative session
In a live edition of TribCast, the Tribune’s weekly podcast, we discussed the outcomes of the regular session, what’s happening in the current special session and more. Full Story
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An effort to ban faculty tenure in public universities has failed in the Texas Legislature
The state Senate originally passed a bill to ban tenure, but on Saturday it approved the House’s counterproposal, which enshrines tenure in state law. Full Story
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![The Texas A&M University campus.]()
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Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities
The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. If it becomes law, Texas will become the second state in the country to ban DEI offices at public universities. Full Story
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![Stephen F. Austin University on Oct. 3, 2022, in Nacogdoches.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Southern University president retires after two years on the job
Lesia Crumpton-Young said she is leaving TSU to help elevate historically Black colleges and universities on the national stage. Full Story
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![Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, 13th President of Texas Southern University.]()
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Bill banning trans athletes from competing on certain college sports teams goes to governor
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would support legislation prohibiting transgender men from competing on men’s college sports teams and transgender women from joining women’s college athletic teams. Full Story
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![A runner prepares for the start of a race at a track meet in Mansfield, Ohio on May 23, 2023.]()
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UT-Austin tried to hire a game theorist for its new free-enterprise think tank. He turned down the job because of fights over tenure.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to eliminate tenure, but his attempts have impacted the institute he helped create. Full Story
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![The University of Texas at Austin campus.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Future of university tenure in Texas likely will be decided in last-minute negotiations
The Texas Senate wants to ban tenure. The House gave initial approval Monday to a bill that would instead enshrine tenure policies in state law. After final passage, the two chambers have a week left to come to a compromise. Full Story
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![Signage outside the student union at the University of North Texas campus in Denton on May 08, 2020.]()
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Texas bill would preserve UT-Austin’s admissions policies if U.S. Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action
State lawmakers passed legislation that would ensure the UT flagship can continue to cap the number of students it automatically admits because of their academic achievement at 75%, giving the university room to accept other students using different criteria. Full Story
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![The University of Texas campus on December 19, 2018.]()
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Texas House’s weekend off means key Senate bills die after missing a legislative deadline
Priority bills that died include a 10-year minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, a ban on “critical race theory” at public universities and LGBTQ-related legislation. While the bills may be dead, lawmakers have a limited time to attach their ideas to legislation that is still alive. Full Story
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![State Representatives and their families gather on the House floor on the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
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A ban on Texas public universities’ diversity offices inches closer to becoming law
Republicans are at odds on whether to advance, contest or even toss out the House’s amended version of the bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Full Story
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![Students on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Nov. 29, 2021.]()
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Texas poised to fund community colleges based on student outcomes
Supporters of the measure said it will help the colleges better prepare students for the workforce. Full Story
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With clock ticking on legislative session, Texas Democrats delay debate on university tenure bill
The Senate wants to eliminate tenure altogether while the House seeks to enshrine it in state law. The two chambers have until May 26 to come to an agreement. Full Story
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![Students walk across the campus at Sam Houston State University on Aug. 20, 2020, in Huntsville.]()
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Texas House passes bill restricting the college sports teams transgender athletes can join
Senate Bill 15 would allow people to sue colleges or universities they believe violate a prohibition on trans athletes’ sports participation. Full Story
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![Swimmers compete in the Region VIII-5A Swim Meet at Corpus Christi ISD Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Texas.]()
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House waters down some of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities, adding to late-session uncertainty
Although the lower chamber backed the Senate’s action on gender-affirming care, it has been less accepting of school choice and attempts to rein in higher education. Full Story
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![Lt. Governor Dan Patrick presides over the Senate at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
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House signals readiness to fight Senate over bills to ban tenure, diversity efforts at Texas universities
Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, pledged to defend his legislation dialing back Senate bills that would eliminate tenure and ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices. But faculty and students say even the House versions will hurt higher education. Full Story
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![UT Austin grad student Lee Kravchenko participates in a chant during a sit-in for the protection of academic freedom and DEI at the Capitol on Mar. 23, 2023.]()
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Amended bill would keep tenure at Texas public universities
A new version of Senate Bill 18 scheduled for a hearing in the House Higher Education Committee on Monday would keep faculty tenure and direct university governing boards to establish policies to grant and revoke tenure. Full Story
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![Students walk through campus at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.]()
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Texas House may revise anti-diversity legislation to allow some programs to maintain grants, federal funding
A new version of Senate Bill 17 expected to be considered by the House’s Higher Education Committee on Monday would still ban DEI offices and prohibit required diversity training, but it would open the door for university boards of regents to approve such programs in certain circumstances. Full Story
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![Illustrated posters reading “We Belong Here” litter the Capitol’s rotunda floor during Texas Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s protest of HB1 Rider No. 186, which would defund DEI initiatives at public universities, on Mar. 23, 2023.]()
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Legislature enters homestretch with many of the session’s biggest issues unresolved
The list of potential hurdles includes property tax cuts, school choice, the power grid, the state budget, plus diversity and tenure in higher education. Full Story
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![State Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, talks with Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, during budget discussions on the House floor at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune