Greg Abbott

The Brief: March 25, 2015

By John Reynolds March 25, 2015

GOP budget writers had help closing the books on the Medicaid program for the current fiscal year with help from an unlikely source — the Affordable Care Act. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Greg Abbott, Scott Walker to Tour Border Together

By Patrick Svitek March 24, 2015

Likely 2016 presidential candidate Scott Walker is headed to the Texas-Mexico border on Friday, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will be there to show him the ropes. Full Story
The Brief: March 23, 2015

By John Reynolds March 23, 2015

As you read these words over your morning coffee, Ted Cruz is already a candidate for president. He announced about 11 p.m. Texas time via Twitter. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Analysis: Uncertainty on Abbott's Maiden Voyage

By Ross Ramsey March 20, 2015

Rick Perry, after all of those years as governor, was pretty predictable. With Gov. Greg Abbott two months into his new job, there is a fresh vibe at the state Capitol: uncertainty. The next 10 weeks should be telling. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
The Brief: March 20, 2015

By John Reynolds March 20, 2015

The Obama administration is poised to become more actively involved in the debate over hydraulic fracturing by issuing new federal regulations on the practice today. Full Story

$Jonathan Jones, Field Supervisor for Water Rescue Services, holding partially cleaned fracking waste water.$

Credit: Jerod Foster
The Brief: March 19, 2015

By John Reynolds March 19, 2015

Lawmakers late Wednesday afternoon signaled that they will tap the brakes on plans to consolidate the state's health and human services agencies. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Former State Rep. Lewis to Head Transportation Commission

By Aman Batheja March 18, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott has tapped former state Rep. Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, to be the chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. The five-member panel oversees the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
The Brief: March 17, 2015

By John Reynolds March 17, 2015

Oil prices are falling again with worries growing anew that the price per barrel might dip below $40. Full Story

Credit: Esteban Monclova for The Texas Tribune
The Brief: March 16, 2015

By John Reynolds March 16, 2015

Legislative activity begins to ramp up in the two chambers this week with speculation rampant that the Senate might take up as early as today legislation that would allow permitted gun owners to carry handguns openly. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Abbott Discusses Trade Relations With Irish Prime Minister

By Bobby Blanchard March 15, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Sunday morning to discuss trade and economic relations. It was Abbott's first meeting with a foreign prime minister since becoming governor. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Abbott Does SXSW: Governor Makes Pitch to Tech Executives

By Patrick Svitek March 14, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday hosted dozens of tech executives at the Governor's Mansion and pitched them on Texas' business climate. Full Story

Credit: Patrick Svitek
The Brief: March 13, 2015

By John Reynolds March 13, 2015

Steelworkers and Shell Oil have struck a tentative agreement on a labor deal that would end a strike at 15 refineries and chemical plants, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday night. Full Story

Credit: Roy Luck
How Are Abbott's Emergency Items Doing?

By Patrick Svitek March 12, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott declared five emergency items in his State of the State speech, clearing the way for lawmakers to act quickly on them if they so choose. Here's a guide to the five items, related bills and where things stand. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
The Brief: March 12, 2015

By John Reynolds March 12, 2015

One lawmaker's protest against Planned Parenthood supporters at the Capitol on Wednesday had turned into something else later in the day: a threat that the gloves were about to come off in his fight against the House leadership. Full Story
House Panel Endorses Texting-While-Driving Ban

By Edgar Walters March 10, 2015

A bill that would ban texting while driving passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday when lawmakers voted it out of the House Transportation Committee. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Housing Legislation Puts Local Control Debate Front and Center

By Patrick Svitek March 10, 2015

A bill before a Texas Senate committee is bringing into focus the simmering debate over local control in the state. It's a charge that has been backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and state legislators who see cities overstepping their authority. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Could Sedative Be Used in Future Texas Executions?

By Terri Langford March 10, 2015

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which is nearly out of its current lethal injection drug, pentobarbital, has stockpiled the sedative midazolam. That drug could be part of a backup execution method in Texas, but it is at the center of a legal challenge. Full Story
The Brief: March 10, 2015

By John Reynolds March 10, 2015

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

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Caleb Bryant Miller
The Brief: March 9, 2015

By John Reynolds March 9, 2015

This weekend, the Tribune launched a five-part series exploring the difficulties of people along the Texas-Mexico border in maintaining access to regular sources of drinking water. Full Story

Credit: Spencer Selvidge
High Hopes for Ethics Reform, but It's Early

By Jay Root March 6, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott's full-throated embrace of ethics reform, a rarity under the Capitol dome, is breathing new life into the issue of years of failed efforts. But changing the status quo remains very much a work in progress. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera