TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

Border security legislation filed by two of Texas’ top Republican members of Congress ensures that the Texas conservatives will have their say in the immigration reform debate.

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors wants to sell its vehicles directly to Texans and bypass high-pressure auto dealers. But the company's request to sidestep state laws has established auto dealers up in arms.

Senators passed Senate Bill 1611, also known as the "Michael Morton Act," which would require prosecutors to turn over evidence to defense lawyers in criminal cases. The chamber erupted in applause following the vote.

Lawmakers reacted positively to the University of Texas System regents' unanimous vote on Thursday to turn over requested documents to legislators. And here's our timeline on tension in the UT System.

We've updated our voting-age population map to include Texas' congressional and State Board of Education districts.

The full Texas Senate will consider a plan to spend about half of the projected $11.8 billion balance in the state's Rainy Day Fund for transportation and water projects, though Democrats plan to push for money for schools as well.

Here's full video of Evan Smith's April 11 TribLive conversation with state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.

As Texas reconsiders whether all students should take algebra II to earn a high school diploma, it is bucking a national trend that it helped launch a decade ago toward more stringent math curriculum.

Friendliness toward the drilling industry is typical in Texas, where many lawmakers receive campaign contributions from oil and gas groups or have investments in drilling companies.

Texas could trim the size of its court fights over redistricting by endorsing maps drawn by federal judges, but legislative leaders fear the harmony of the current session would evaporate in the process.