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 -
Curbs on Suing Insurers Rile Business Lobby
Businesses are joining consumer advocates in sounding the alarm about a proposal that critics say would stack the deck in favor of insurance companies at the expense of businesses and homeowners. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Smithee (l), R-Amarillo, with a reporter off the House floor in 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: May 1, 2015
The decision earlier this week by Gov. Greg Abbott to get involved in the controversy over a planned military exercise taking place across several Southwestern states continues to draw comment. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Bill Makes It Harder to Sue Insurers
A controversial bill that would make it harder for homeowners and companies to recover certain damages from their insurance companies — cheered by the insurance industry and criticized by liberal groups and some businesses — cleared the Texas Senate on Thursday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, speaks during the "House vs. Senate" panel at The Texas Tribune's "On the Road: A Symposium Previewing the 84th Legislature" event on Dec. 5, 2014. Taylor is the chairman of the Senate Education Committee.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce -
The Brief: April 29, 2015
Gone are accusations of gamesmanship as lawmakers get to work finding common ground on the session's border security bill. Full Story
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![Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, speaks his concerns about law enforcement agencies working together on the border surge during a discussion at the Legislative Budget Board meeting on Dec. 1, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: April 28, 2015
The House is set to consider its tax relief package today as the impasse between its approach emphasizing a cut to the sales tax rate and the Senate's recipe that relies on a property tax reduction shows no sign of resolution. Full Story
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![Texas House Ways and Means Chairman Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, talks over amendments to border security legislation on March 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Gives Initial OK to School Scholarship Plan
Scholarships funded by state business tax credits would help some low-income parents send their children to private schools under a measure tentatively approved by the Texas Senate Monday. Full Story
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Senators Share Concerns About A-F Grades for Schools
During a Senate Education Committee hearing Thursday, lawmakers questioned whether A-through-F ratings for schools would provide a clear picture of a school's performance. Full Story
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![A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Patrick Unveils First Round of Education Proposals
Virtual learning, A-through-F school ratings and teacher quality were among the topics covered by broad slate of education reform bills announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Education Chairman Larry Taylor on Tuesday. Full Story
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![New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 3, 2015
In a House committee hearing on Monday, one witness sought to redefine the climate change debate as one with clear implications to national security. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Jinjian Liang -
Patrick Sets Committees; Taylor Gets Education
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's office on Friday announced new committee members. Among the new chairs: State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who will lead the Senate Education Committee. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: The House vs. the Senate in the 84th Session
Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on the relationship between the House and the Senate. Panelists included state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, state Sen. Royce West, state Rep. Charlie Geren and state Sen. Larry Taylor. Full Story
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Liveblog: Environment at The Texas Tribune Festival
We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Environment track. The sessions include panels on the state's water needs, the Texas coast, agriculture in the state and Texas' battles with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Judge Orders Senator to Testify in Hurricane Claims Case
A state senator will have to testify in response to allegations that he exerted improper political pressure on the state windstorm insurance agency, a judge ruled Thursday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 10, 2014
The Tea Party's big moment last week in the GOP party primaries already is creating anticipation of a more libertarian tilt to next year's legislative session. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson -
Political Storm Erupts Over Ike Claims
The former TWIA chief says two top Republicans tried to pressure him into fighting more cases and complained that fees paid to lawyers were ending up in Democratic coffers. The Republicans said their actions were appropriate. Full Story
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![Larry Taylor, Steve Mostyn and David Dewhurst]()
Credit: Marjorie Cotera / Caleb Miller / Michael Stravato -
TWIA Board Agrees to Steps to Address Financial Woes
UPDATED: The board of the state’s embattled Texas Windstorm Insurance Association agreed Tuesday to take steps that it says will better prepare the agency for the 2013 hurricane season and be more efficient over the long term. Full Story
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Credit: Josh Henderson -
TribLive: A Conversation with Three Senate Hopefuls
Full video of my TribLive conversation with state Reps. and Texas Senate hopefuls Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood. Full Story
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TribLive: Against In-State Tuition
At this morning's TribLive conversation, GOP state Reps. and Texas Senate hopefuls Kelly Hancock, Ken Paxton and Larry Taylor came out against the state's policy of offering in-state tuition to the children of undocumented persons. Full Story
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TribLive: The Two-Thirds Rule and Democratic Chairs
At this morning's TribLive conversation, GOP state Reps. and Texas Senate hopefuls Kelly Hancock, Ken Paxton and Larry Taylor discussed two key procedural matters related to the 83rd Legislative Session. Full Story
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