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 -
Bill Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity
One state lawmaker has an idea to encourage Texans to conserve energy: Stop charging them for doing so. Rep. Sylvester Turner's legislation would bar companies from charging customers for using too little energy – a common practice. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: April 2, 2015
The blowback experienced by Indiana over its religious freedom law has Texas' largest business organization worried about efforts this session to update this state's law on the subject. Full Story
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![Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business.]()
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After 18-Hour Debate, House Gives Early Approval to Budget
After an overnight debate that veered from polite disagreements to an angry outburst, the Texas House tentatively passed a $210 billion two-year budget early Wednesday morning with a 141 to 5 vote. Full Story
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![State Rep. Chris Turner, left, on the House floor during a budget debate on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 30, 2015
The reviews are in for Ted Cruz's first campaign swing this weekend through New Hampshire, a key early presidential primary state. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attends a "Politics And Eggs" breakfast in Manchester, N.H. on March 16, 2015.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston -
The Brief: 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
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
$209.8 Billion Budget Plan Headed to House Floor
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday backed a $209.8 billion two-year budget that would leave $8.4 billion on the table, along with billions more in the state’s savings account. The budget plan now goes to the full House. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Supplemental Budget Would Cost $433 Million, House Members Learn
House budget writers intend to add $433 million to the current two-year budget with a supplemental bill laid out Thursday, though some lawmakers expressed concern with plans for millions in leftover funds from some state health programs. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, in the Texas House of Representatives, Feb. 8, 2011.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
In State Contracting, Failure is an Option
Texas's tendency to privatize state services has led to contracting scandals erupting regularly. But a history of cost overruns or bad performance hardly bars a company from winning future jobs. Full Story
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The Brief: Dec. 15, 2014
The Houston Chronicle's Theodore Schleifer has the goods on next year's mayoral election in Houston. Full Story
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![State Representative Sylvester Turner at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 27, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: Changing Population, Changing Health Care
Full video of our 10/6 TribLive conversation with Rice University's Vivian Ho, Elena Marks of the Episcopal Health Foundation, former State Demographer Steve Murdock, Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez and state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. Full Story
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The Brief: July 30, 2014
Top officials at the Texas National Guard and the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday told a select House committee looking at the costs of the ongoing border operation that they did not request Guard troops. Full Story
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![Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard explains the Guard's role in helping secure the border as Gov. Rick Perry, l, and DPS Director Steve McCraw listen July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: May 27, 2014
Will Texas buck the larger national trend in Republican politics and go in deeper with support of Tea Party candidates and causes? Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Sex Offender Agency's Presiding Board Member Quits
Amid heated controversy over the placement of dangerous sex offenders, the presiding member of a board that oversees an agency that manages civilly committed violent sex offenders resigned on Tuesday. Full Story
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Liveblog: Health Care at The Texas Tribune Festival
We have liveblogged each session of The 2013 Texas Tribune Festival's Health Care track, which featured panel discussions on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, new developments coming out of Texas, and abortion and women's health. Full Story
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Two Decades On, Turner Holds Sway in the House
Throughout his 24 years in the Texas House, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, has taken a pragmatic approach to politics, maintaining close ties with Republican leaders if it means a seat at the negotiating table. Full Story
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![State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, at the state Capitol on May 27, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
![State Representative Sylvester Turner at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 27, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
New Twist in Budget Agreement Would End System Benefit Fund
A fee paid by millions of Texans and businesses on their electric bills would be abolished in September under a deal made Friday, the Senate's budget writer said. The fee goes to a fund that helps low-income Texans with their utility bills. Full Story
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House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget
After days of negotiations, House and Senate representatives agreed to a budget plan that would add roughly $4 billion in extra funding for public education. It also paves the way for a $2 billion fund for water infrastructure projects. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Democrats: Budget Deal Still Not in Place
UPDATED: Half a day after Senate budget leaders said the contours of a budget deal were in place, confusion and uncertainty reigned in the Capitol as key negotiators argued over competing proposals. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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