The Brief: June 1, 2015
The 84th Legislature closes the books on its 140-day regular session today. As the Tribune's Ross Ramsey writes, it isn't one for the history books. Full Story
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![View of the Texas House floor during the budget debate on House Bill 1 on May 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott Signals He'll Sign Cannabis Oil Bill
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Inside Texas Politics: The Last Days of the 84th
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the focus turns to the end of the 84th Legislative session: It all ends Monday, but will it end with a bang or a whimper? Full Story
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![WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with (l-r) host Jason Whitely, Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy.]()
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New Prosecution System for Politicians Advances
Texas politicians are on the verge of creating a new system for prosecuting a unique type of white-collar crime — the type that involves them. Full Story
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![Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin and Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston, discuss language to amendment for SB #11 relating to campus carry on March 18th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Gets Bill Limiting Ethics Disclosures
Gov. Greg Abbott wanted to "dedicate this session to ethics reform," and now must decide whether to sign a bill limiting the information he and other elected officials must disclose information about their spouses' property and finances. Full Story
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![Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Signs Call to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban
Texas has officially asked Congress to lift its 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a resolution that calls the federal ban a “relic from an era of scarcity and flawed price control policies.” Full Story
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Credit: Paul Lowry -
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 -
House Sends Border Security Bill to Governor
After a months-long staring contest between the House and the Senate, the lower chamber gave a final blessing Thursday to House Bill 11, a sweeping border security bill. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, escorts Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound through the House Chamber on May 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Disarming a Dangerous Coalition
An end-of-session deal on open carry of handguns and limits on police in Texas rescued Gov. Greg Abbott from political crossfire between law enforcement officials and an unusual coalition of liberal and conservative lawmakers. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Ethics Reform: A Guide to What's Still Alive
Now that the massive overhaul contained in Senate Bill 19 has gone on life support, a few targeted efforts to shine the light on conflicts of interest and enhance transparency remain. Here's a guide to what's moving and what's not. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: May 28, 2015
The House remains fully committed to keeping dark money disclosure language in its ethics reform legislation. However, the measure's Senate author is equally adamant that provision must come out. Full Story
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![State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, on the House floor, May 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
In Deadly Flood, Abbott Tackles Most Serious Leadership Test Yet
Just five months into his first term, Gov. Greg Abbott is tackling the kind of crisis his predecessor likes to say there is no manual for. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abbott speaks to media at the Wimberley Community Center a day after the area suffered from devastating floods.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: May 27, 2015
Campus carry legislation lived to fight another day as a last-minute deal saved Senate Bill 11 just before a midnight deadline in the House to take initial votes on bills originating in the Senate. Full Story
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![House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel is handed another stack of bills during debate on S.B. 19 Tuesday evening May 26, 2015 in the Texas House.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Health Insurance Card Bill Clears Senate
House Bill 1514, which would add a special label to the health insurance cards of people purchasing health plans on the exchange created by the Affordable Care Act, passed the Texas Senate late Tuesday evening. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Border Security Bill Passes Senate
An expansive border security bill declared a priority by Gov. Greg Abbott was given final approval Tuesday by the Texas Senate. The vote marked the near end of a months-long disagreement between the House and the Senate. Full Story
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![A Texas Parks and Wildlife warden patrols the Rio Grande in July, 2014.]()
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The Brief: May 26, 2015
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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![Empty Texas House seat with paperwork, May 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
E-Verify Bill One Step Closer to Abbott's Desk
The Texas House on Monday gave tentative approval to a bill that would require state agencies and public universities to use the federal electronic employment system called E-Verify. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: May 25, 2015
A hectic weekend at the Legislature culminated in a major reversal by the House late Sunday on whether to allow a controversial abortion bill to be debated on the floor. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Abbott Signs Bill to Speed Permits, Limit Protests
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation aiming to quicken regulators' pace of cranking out permits for major industrial projects by limiting public scrutiny. Full Story
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![This flue gas scrubber, installed at a Valero refinery in Houston in 2006, reduces emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.]()
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With HB 40 Signed, Denton Fracking Resumes
The first Texas town to ban hydraulic fracturing is poised to be fracked again. Vantage Energy plans to resume fracking operations at eight gas wells in Denton on June 1, the Colorado-based operator has told city officials. Full Story
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![A gas well is shown in 2014 sitting less than 400 feet from a home in Denton.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill
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