Seven State Parks Could Close Under Proposed Budget
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would close seven state parks based on current budget proposals in the House and Senate. Full Story
![Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville, Texas.](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/hUcVpy00auY5ta7G10JZOH6PQKs=/850x570/smart/filters:quality(75)/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BocaChicaSP.jpg)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would close seven state parks based on current budget proposals in the House and Senate. Full Story
The budget proposals released by lawmakers this week show an interest in revamping school testing and the state's economic incentive programs. Full Story
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, praised President Obama's proposals to curb gun violence, while Gov. Rick Perry shunned efforts to increase regulation and called for prayer. Full Story
A Legislative Budget Board report on how government can be more effective has recommended that the state reduce its gas tax exemption for hydraulic fracturing. Full Story
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Jane Nelson on Wednesday discussed new Senate proposals that target Medicaid spending. The plans would institute quality-based payment reforms for long-term care services and measures to catch fraud and abuse. Full Story
On last night's edition of On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren, U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood, repeated his calls for the possible impeachment of Barack Obama if the president pushes for gun control legislation. Full Story
With a major school finance trial under way, lawmakers are reluctant to take up public education funding before a court ruling on the matter. What they'll do in the meantime remains uncertain. Full Story
The state agriculture commissioner on the state's water crisis, why the Rainy Day Fund should be used to pay for a state water plan and how the money should be spent. Full Story
The Texas Senate and House have released their first drafts of the state's next two-year budget. Use this interactive to explore how state spending has grown since 2004. Full Story
Every other year, Texas legislators race to get the state's business done in just 140 days — an exhaustive process known for taking a toll on lawmakers' health. But efforts are under way to get the Capitol community to rethink how to stay healthy during the session. Full Story
As Texas' drought wears into its third year, the state is locked in a legal conflict over water with New Mexico, and a North Texas county is suing the state of Oklahoma to get access to a vast amount of water. Full Story
New fundraising numbers have sparked another round of speculation about the state's 2014 political battles. Full Story
Your evening reading: Abbott posts 3-to-1 cash advantage over Perry; state lawmakers file bill to broaden financial disclosure; House Republican Caucus picks leader Full Story
A new University of Texas at Austin study funded by an oil and gas group has found that the amount of water used in fracking has risen sharply in recent years but would level off sometime in the decade starting in 2020. Full Story
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked questions about the budget, about how lawmakers will spend the money they've got, the chances for a business tax, and the outlook for other fiscal proposals. Full Story
UPDATED: State Sen. Wendy Davis has filed companion legislation to a House bill from two freshman legislators — one on the far right, the other on the far left — that would expand the requirements of the state’s personal financial disclosure form. Full Story
The Tribune asked all 180 current members of the Legislature to provide their last three tax returns — and got few takers. Most lawmakers either ignored the request or said they weren’t comfortable with that level of disclosure. Full Story
The co-founder of the Hispanic Republicans of Texas political action committee on his first planned run for office, divisions in the GOP, Hispanics and Republicans, and why he's getting into the family business. Full Story
If money's a show of strength, George P. Bush — who's angling for statewide office — just came out swinging. Full Story
Both the House and Senate proposed base budgets Monday that will not restore large cuts made to public education in 2011. Full Story