Analysis: Debating the Legislature's Grades
The Texas Legislature left Austin last week after a regular session considered conservative by nearly everyone involved. So why is it getting bad grades from so many conservatives? Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a Texas Tribune event on June 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: June 8, 2015
A McKinney police officer is on administrative leave after video of his actions to subdue a 15-year-old girl at a pool party Friday night received more than 1 million views online over the weekend. Full Story
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![Eric Casebolt resigned from the McKinney Police Department after actions at a pool party on June 5, 2015.]()
Credit: Youtube / Brandon Brooks -
Despite Early Momentum, Energy Legislation Flames Out at End of Session
Who killed the House and Senate's top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers. Full Story
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![A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman -
Video: Patrick on the Senate's "New Day"
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick enumerated the Texas Senate's accomplishments in the 84th Session. Full Story
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Video: Patrick on His Conservative Critics
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rebuffed conservative criticism of the 84th Legislative Session. Full Story
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Video: Patrick on the 2016 Presidential Race
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about whether he'll endorse in a 2016 presidential race — and the qualities he's looking for in a GOP nominee. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Dan Patrick
Full video of my 6/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Among the topics discussed: 84th session accomplishments, conservative criticism, the Senate vs. the House, the 2016 presidential race and why he's not running against Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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The Brief: June 4, 2015
Later this morning in Addison, Rick Perry is expected to announce that he plans to run again for the White House, testing whether GOP voters across the country believe in extending him a second act in presidential politics. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry poses with cadets after delivering a foreign policy speech at The Citadel, South Carolina's military college, earlier this year.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: June 2, 2015
Sine die has now come and gone. But with lawmakers now free to return to their hometowns across the state, the question remains: How'd they do? Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Conservative but Complicated 84th Texas Legislature
Voters sent a conservative pack of lawmakers to Austin and got conservative results. But it's more complicated than that. Full Story
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![State Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, shows off his Sine Die tie on the last day of the 84th Legislative session on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Patrick: I'm Not Running Against Abbott in 2018
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to reporters after the Texas Senate wrapped up the 84th legislative session on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Storify: The Last Day of the 84th Legislative Session
The 84th Legislative Session is wrapping up today. Here's a selection of what journalists, lawmakers and others shared on social media, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on the last day of the 84th session June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: Small Visions, Small Results in Session
Texas lawmakers started the legislative session without a list of big problems to solve or election mandates to fulfill. And they are ending it without the kinds of results that fill the history books. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Effort to Tighten Spending Cap Dies With House, Senate Far Apart
The state’s constitutional spending cap will remain untouched this session, and House and Senate leaders are blaming each other for the lack of action on the arcane but politically important measure. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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On Most Visible Budget Disputes, Senate Fared Better Than House
The $209.4 billion budget sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk includes hundreds of concessions made by the House and Senate. Yet on most of the high-profile disputes, the Senate won out. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate finance chairwoman, and Rep. John Otto, the House appropriations chairman.]()
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The Brief: May 29, 2015
The Dallas Morning News takes a detailed look at the evolution of the deal on tax cuts this session and finds that at a few critical junctures, the deal almost derailed entirely. Full Story
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![House Ways and Means Chair Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, speaks with House Appropriations Chair John Otto, R-Dayton, and House Administration Chair Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, on the House floor on May 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Open Carry Faces Filibuster Threat in Senate
State Sen. José Rodríguez said Thursday that if the opportunity arises, he plans to filibuster a bill allowing the open carry of handguns in Texas. Full Story
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![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, said he would consider a filibuster on open carry legislation during a Texas Tribune event on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Bill That Increases Unemployment Taxes Moves Ahead
Legislation pushed by a politically connected company would increase unemployment taxes for Texas employers. Proponents say it would help outsourcing companies avoid "double taxation." Critics say it's a special interest perk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, at a Texas Tribune event in 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: May 22, 2015
Four large donors to the nonprofit currently documenting Texas lawmakers this session are well-known backers of conservative causes. Full Story
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