The Brief: Dec. 5, 2014
Voters in Senate District 18 go to the polls on Saturday to choose who will serve out the remainder of the term of Glenn Hegar, the state's next comptroller. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Dec. 3, 2014
An execution planned for Wednesday evening is focusing attention on the use of the death penalty on those with serious mental illness. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
In Debate, Kolkhorst Touts Conservativism
After fending off accusations of liberalism from opponent Gary Gates throughout their special election race, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst got to respond to her main challenger face-to-face Tuesday night. Full Story
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![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham, speaks during HB5 debate on June 15th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Dec. 2, 2014
A Ted Cruz for president Super PAC is up and running, while others doubt his ability to win over his party's big donors. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the Republican stage election night Nov. 4, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Political Roundup: Speaker's Race, Empty Seats, Executive Order
This week in the Roundup: House lawmakers prepare for a contested speaker’s race, some legislators face election before the next session convenes and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott vows to challenge President Obama’s executive order on immigration. Full Story
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Odds Favor Kolkhorst in Race for Hegar's Seat
Less than a month after Election Day, some Texans are already headed back to the polls to fill the state Senate seat given up by Glenn Hegar after he was elected Comptroller of Public Accounts. Full Story
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![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham on House floor May 24th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Nov. 25, 2014
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott indicated on Monday that Texas could soon file suit over the Obama administration's executive order intended to protect up to 5 million undocumented immigrants from the threat of immediate deportation. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott indicates his willingness to sue President Obama on immigration during a press conference Nov. 24, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hegar Resigns Senate Seat; Dec. 6 Special Election Set
State Sen. Glenn Hegar sent a letter to Gov. Rick Perry Friday resigning his Senate seat as of Dec. 5. The Katy Republican will be sworn in as comptroller in January. A Dec. 6 special election for his seat was announced later Friday. Full Story
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![Glenn Hegar, who was elected state comptroller in November 2014, is shown at the State Republican Convention on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Campaigning for a Seat Not Yet in Play
Three candidates are vying for the state Senate seat occupied by Glenn Hegar, a Katy Republican. They're even advertising. But Hegar is still in office, and that seat is not on the November ballot. Full Story
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![State Sen. Glenn Hegar, the Republican nominee for state comptroller, is shown at a TribLive event on May 29, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Dental Board's Review Process Gets Makeover
After hearing critics take aim at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, legislators approved new regulations that they hope will improve the board's efficiency. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Ralph Merry / SJ Sanders -
Caucus Plants Seeds for Farm-to-Table Movement
The bipartisan "farm-to-table" caucus landed a couple of key victories in its first legislative session, laying the groundwork for its effort to help local agricultural businesses crop up across Texas. Full Story
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Video: Amid Medicaid Expansion Debate, Kolkhorst's Health Care Math
State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, the Republican chairwoman of the House Public Health Committee, gives a whiteboard math lesson in this video posted by Gov. Rick Perry's office. Full Story
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A Fight Outlasts the Proposal that Sparked It
A recurring theme questioned the status quo of the boards that govern higher education at this week’s day-long meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency: Are the boards that govern higher education due for more restrictive conflict-of-interest policies? Full Story
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Updated: House, Senate Pass Health Reform Bill
House and Senate lawmakers have approved the conference committee report for SB 7, an omnibus health reform bill loaded with amendments, some of them controversial. Full Story
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House Gives Early Nod to Health Care Compact
House lawmakers gave early approval to a bill designed to let Texas take control of Medicaid and Medicare from the federal government after a high-decibel argument between the measure’s Republican author and Democratic lawmakers. Full Story
![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham, speaks during HB5 debate on June 15th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House OKs Bill to Seek Federal Medicaid Waiver
The Texas House passed a bill today to take control of Texas health care reform, tentatively passing a bill that will allow the state to petition the Obama administration for a block grant to operate the Medicaid program. Full Story
![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham on House floor May 24th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Second Life: Bill Becomes Festooned Health Care Christmas Tree
In hours of debate this afternoon, House lawmakers used an omnibus health care bill as their last-ditch effort to get other medical measures that failed during the regular session passed during the special session. Full Story
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![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham and Rep. John Zerwas R-Simonton during amendment discussion for SB 8 on May 24th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Updated: Lawmakers Renew Push to Take Over Medicaid, Medicare
Texas’ long-shot efforts to take control of Medicare and Medicaid — the health programs for the elderly, the disabled and the state’s poorest children — from the feds are back on the table. Full Story
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The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib's multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.) Full Story
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20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting. Full Story
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Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
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