The latest Chris Turner news from The Texas Tribune.
The House faces a major deadline today; it's the last day to take up contested Senate bills and, as such, the session promises to last until the clock strikes midnight. It doesn't help that a major backlog of controversial legislation awaits House members. Full Story
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Legislation passed by the House on Wednesday will prohibit payday lenders and auto title loan businesses from placing telemarketing calls to Texans on the "do not call" list. The measure now heads to the Senate. Full Story
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The Texas House approved legislation Tuesday that would close the loophole former Gov. Rick Perry once used to begin collecting a lucrative pension without ever having to leave office. Full Story
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The Texas House voted overwhelmingly Monday to end the controversial practice of double dipping by longtime politicians who draw state pensions and paychecks at the same time. But a last-minute change clouded exactly to whom the bill would apply. Full Story
After an overnight debate that veered from polite disagreements to an angry outburst, the Texas House tentatively passed a $210 billion two-year budget early Wednesday morning with a 141 to 5 vote. Full Story
Longtime elected officials would no longer be able to use an obscure perk to boost their take-home pay under a bill that sailed out of a House committee Monday. The proposed double-dipping ban now heads to the House floor. Full Story
Legislation intended to stop some government officials from collecting retirement benefits before leaving office appears to have a better prognosis the second time around. Full Story
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Efforts to ban longtime politicians from double-dipping their salaries and their pensions — as former Gov. Rick Perry started doing in 2011 — went nowhere two years ago. But this year the idea is picking up steam. Full Story
Texas and the 33 other states that refused to set up their own insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are especially vulnerable to an impending U.S. Supreme Court decision. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy about the latest UT/TT poll, Eric Cantor, the GOP state platform and more. Full Story
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Efforts to ban double dipping by longtime politicians went nowhere in the last legislative session. That could change now that the two leading candidates for governor have expressed support for banning the controversial practice. Full Story
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The Longhorns and Sooners won't be the only ones looking for a win this weekend in Dallas. More than 30 Texas legislators are hoping to turn the Red River Rivalry game into campaign cash. Full Story
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UPDATED: State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, again attempted to add a measure decoupling legislators' pensions from judges' pay. But the amendment to Senate Bill 1459 was defeated Tuesday. Full Story
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An effort to ban "double dipping" by elected officials, a practice brought to light during Gov. Rick Perry's run for president, has gone on life support. Full Story
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The obscure law that allows Gov. Rick Perry to collect both his pension and salary was the subject of a hearing Monday. A proposed bill would prevent future state officeholders from using the provision. Full Story
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After successfully leading the bruising campaigns for two state senators and a state representative, Terrysa Guerra, an unassuming Democratic strategist, has emerged as a secret weapon for her party. Full Story
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Ethics reformers are looking to overhaul the personal financial statements state lawmakers must file. The form doesn’t ask for much detail, hasn’t been updated in years and has led to confusion and varying interpretations about what must be revealed. Full Story
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State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, says he’s found the perfect way for elected officials to put their money where there mouths are when it comes to exercising fiscal restraint: ban "double-dipping" by politicians. Full Story
They lost in 2010, but some candidates are hoping by now that voters have changed their minds. The 2012 ballot will be stippled with officeholders who were cast out by voters last election but want to try again. Full Story
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Ted Cruz tries to lure David Dewhurst into a fight, while Tom Leppert taunts them both in a new TV ad. Full Story
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