State of Texas

State of Texas - February 23, 2025

Dan Patrick wants big changes to the way the Texas Lottery handles ticket sales. Adam Schwager looks at how the Lt. Gov's visit to the store that sold last weekend's jackpot-winning ticket is bringing an ultimatum – and questions about the future of the lottery.
The Texas House has been the place where plans for plans to allow public dollars to go to private schools have died in previous sessions. But this year could be different, with Gov. Abbott touting newly-filed legislation that has support from the House Speaker. Dylan McKim reports on the similarities and differences between the House and Senate versions, and how opponents are pushing back.
For five years, we have been investigating the challenges people in Texas jails face while waiting for mental health help before standing trial. In our research, we discovered people dying while on the waitlist for a state hospital bed. Now, we've learned the alarming total number of deaths... and what one state Senator says could help Texas tackle these Mental Competency Consequences.
The state could be on the path to invest in cryptocurrency. Lawmakers took their first look at legislation to create the Texas Bitcoin Reserve. Kevin Baskar speaks to the Senator behind the bill, and finds out why some people are calling for caution.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - February 16, 2025

Concerns about a huge jackpot lead to tough questions for leaders of the Texas lottery. Senators accuse lottery leaders of enabling money laundering. We speak with Austin American-Statesman chief politics reporter John Moritz to look at what's behind the concerns, and what comes next.
Families share powerful stories of loss with lawmakers, driving a policy discussion at the Capitol. Dylan McKim reports on how their words are drawing support for tougher policies to keep people accused of violent crimes from getting out on bail.
The Texas Attorney General requests millions more to aid the state's child support enforcement efforts. Investigator Arezow Doost looks at the struggle now for parents waiting on child support payments, and the programs meant to compel child support evaders to pay.
As Education Savings Accounts move closer to becoming Texas law, Texas parents have questions. Kelly Wiley takes us to a forum where people heard from lawmakers and educators concerned about the plan, and also speaks to a parent who's advocating for school choice.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - February 9, 2025

Governor Abbott lays out his list of emergency items, and one led to quick action from Senate lawmakers. Dylan McKim looks at the vote to pass education savings accounts and a push to change the plan to focus more on disadvantaged students.
The Governor is asking the federal government to repay Texas for the state's efforts to boost border security. What he's saying now as he prepares to make the case to Congress that the state deserves billions in reimbursement.
A teacher faces a felony charge after police say he unlawfully restrained a first grader. A camera captured what happened, but the parents have not been able to view the video. Investigator Kelly Wiley found the school district is using a legal exception to keep the boy's parents from viewing that video, and other districts are also using state statute to keep parents in the dark.
As the state toll system transitions to a operator, our investigation discovers more drivers facing new TxTag troubles. Accounts not transferred and more billing questions. Now, investigator Matt Grant shows us how it's getting attention from state lawmakers, and drawing calls for change.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - February 2, 2025

As the new Trump Administration enacts the mass deportation operations, Texas Governor Greg Abbott calls on state resources to work closely with the Feds. This week we look at some of the costs associated with this. Also, for the first time since we uncovered issues with the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund Attorney General Ken Paxton laid out what he says his agency needs to keep up. The Texas Water Development Board addresses concerns that more money will be needed in the 89th Legislative session to update water infrastructure needs. Our Investigators dig into TxTag Troubles with a transferring toll accounts to a new authority. And a group of Texas celebrities team up with a pitch to lawmakers to create a new incentive program to make Texas a bigger player than Hollywood. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - January 26, 2025

President Trump issues executive orders to crack down on people in the country illegally, and those seeking asylum. Texas leaders say they're ready to help. We hear from Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham about efforts underway now to support the new immigration policies and get a report from Border Report correspondent Sandra Sanchez about what's changed for people in communities near the border.
Texas lawmakers lay out their plan to help parents pay for private school. Dylan McKim looks at what's in the bill that aims to launch a voucher-like program in the state, and look at the battle ahead at the Capitol.
As President Trump announces a multi-billion dollar investment in artificial intelligence, state lawmakers are preparing for change that could reshape our future. We speak with State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, who co-chairs the state's AI Advisory Council to get insight into why Texas is poised to play a key role in the technology.
As tax season approaches, President Trump orders a hiring freeze at the IRS. Many of the positions affected are right here in Texas. Investigator Kelly Wiley digs into the potential impact in the state.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - January 19, 2025

A contentious vote ends a months-long battle that divided Texas lawmakers. In the end, Lubbock Republican Dustin Burrows won the vote for House Speaker. But some of his opponents believe the fight is not over. Dylan McKim looks at why the vote could come with fallout for supporters of Burrows.
School choice will be one part of the debate over education this session. But larger funding issues are also in play. Education reporter Nabil Remadna examines some key questions at the Capitol that could affect Texas schools and students.
New polling is giving insight into the top issues Texas voters have for the legislative session. James Henson from the Texas Politics Project joins us to discuss the findings of the new poll and what it tells us about the issues that could drive debate at the Capitol.
The first day of the legislative session brought a lot of new faces to the Capitol. Our team spoke with two freshman lawmakers, Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo) and Sen. Molly Cook (D-Houston). We'll hear what they say led them to the legislature, and how they hope to make a difference.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - January 12, 2025

The start of the session will bring a resolution in a contentious battle for power inside the Texas House of Representatives. As members prepare to choose a Speaker, they're facing new pressure from outside the chamber. We look at how the Attorney General is working to influence the decision and how the outcome could shape what gets passed this session.
From education savings accounts to property tax cuts, Texas lawmakers have big plans for the upcoming session. Those plans come with big price tags. We speak to Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who's in charge of determining how much money is available for the next state budget. He shares his ideas on how lawmakers should prioritize their spending.
In the lead-up to the session, we've been reaching out to some of the people who could influence what comes out of the Capitol. We asked about what they see as priorities. Their answers give interesting perspective on how ideas from both sides of the aisle merge and diverge, highlighting the potential path this session could take.
Texas lawmakers are promising change on the heels of several of our investigative reports. From bills to prevent crashes into hospitals to systems to track truant students and cosmetic procedure regulations, we look at how our reporting could lead to action at the Capitol.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - January 5, 2025

The terror attack in New Orleans raises questions about barriers that could have saved lives, but were missing that deadly day. We've been reporting on efforts in Texas to get more safety bollards in place. Investigator Kelly Wiley looks at the work underway now to protect the public. A tribute to Jimmy Carter's legacy of service is taking shape in Austin, through a plan to build dozens of affordable homes. Jala Washington speaks with the CEO of Austin's Habitat for Humanity about the how the upcoming Carter Work Project will help the community, and honor the former President's legacy. Drug testing strips can detect fentanyl and save lives, but right now they're not legal in Texas. Grace Reader reports on the bipartisan support for legislation to change the law after similar measures failed to pass last session. Controversy revs up at the State Capitol for a law that limits lawsuits over deadly truck crashes. Matt Grant investigates what's behind the push to expand the Texas law, amid concerns about the balance between business and safety. Wait times to get a Texas driver license can last weeks, even months. Staffing shortages get much of the blame for slowing down the process. Dylan McKim reports on a new request from DPS that could address the problem, and help cut the time you have to wait.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - December 29, 2024

We are just weeks away from the start of the next legislative session. At the top of the list for lawmakers is what Governor Abbott calls school choice, or letting parents use public funds to pay for private education.
This week, we dig deeper into the debate. We speak to the lawmaker who wrote the bill in the last legislative session, and look at why he's looking to expand the proposal this time around. We also speak to a former teacher who now sits in the State House on why he believes the plan could hurt Texas students. And the opposition goes beyond Democrats versus Republicans. We hear from a rural Republican who faced a lot of pressure after coming out against the Governor's plan for Education Savings Accounts – he voices why he's still skeptical of the plan. Plus, Arizona has had a school choice plan in place for several years. We look at why the plan has drawn praise from parents, while also raising concerns.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - December 22, 2024

Governor Abbott launches a new campaign to stop illegal migration into Texas, warning about the risk for women and children. Dylan McKim looks at how the new plan aims to send a message that reaches far beyond the border.
A Texas teacher leaves the profession after a scary moment in the classroom. Her story calls attention to a rise in reports of assaults on Texas school employees.
Our ongoing investigation into crashes at hospitals and medical facilities sparks new statewide legislation to help keep patients safe.
The population of Monarch butterflies is in decline, but plans to protect the species are bringing backlash in Texas.
State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.