83rd Legislative Session

previous page
- 1
- …
- 18
- 19

Gains in Texas Budget a Source of Hot Debate

By Aman Batheja Dec. 17, 2012

Does Texas need a constitutional cap on spending growth to protect it from the whims of future lawmakers or save it from the current ones? Supporters of the proposal are at odds. Full Story

Credit: Ryan Murphy / Todd Wiseman
Newsreel: Simpson for Speaker, Perry Backs "Fetal Pain" Bill

By Justin Dehn Dec. 15, 2012

This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: State Rep. David Simpson is officially running for House speaker, but some former opponents of current Speaker Joe Straus are now sticking with the incumbent. Full Story
Tax Incentives Could Prove Divisive For GOP

By Jay Root Dec. 14, 2012

Republican leaders like to say government should just get out of the way and let the private sector do work its unfettered magic. But during the session, they may have a hard time squaring their stated philosophy with their support for tax giveaways to private industry. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman
Bill Renews Debate on Merging Top Two Courts

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Dec. 13, 2012

State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond has filed a bill to abolish the Court of Criminal Appeals and bring all of its related cases under the Texas Supreme Court. He's triggering a debate that goes all the way back to Reconstruction. Full Story

Credit: Frank Swift
Now What? Capitol Press Vets Look Ahead

By Justin Dehn Dec. 12, 2012

On Nov. 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Politics Project asked four veteran members of the Capitol press corps to forecast the coming controversies in the 83rd session. Full Story
Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session

By Justin Dehn Dec. 11, 2012

On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin's Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session. Full Story
Would GOP Balk if Dems Back Bid to Oust Straus?

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 11, 2012

Speaker Joe Straus won his leadership post with the support of Democrats — which gives some conservatives fits. If his just-announced challenger, David Simpson, builds a similar bipartisan coalition, can he hold on to conservative support? Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera
For Donors, the Political Season Comes to an End

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 10, 2012

The "late train" — the rush of supplicants making kiss-and-make-up contributions after an election — ended this weekend with the beginning of a blackout that outlaws political donations during a legislative session. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
New Caucus Seeks to Work for Younger Texans

By Audrey White Dec. 4, 2012

Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, is leading an effort to create the Texas Young Legislators Caucus, a bipartisan group that plans to focus on issues that affect Texans under 40 and hopes to engage young people in the legislative process. Full Story
Lawmakers' Bills Target Perceived Overreach by Federal Government

By Nick Swartsell Dec. 4, 2012

Two bills filed by lawmakers recently seek to restrict the actions of federal agencies in Texas. Lawmakers say the bills are meant to stand up for Texans' freedom, but federal agencies say practices targeted by the bills keep people safe. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Trevor McGoldrick / Lotus Carroll
Newsreel: Freshmen Invade, Perry Appoints

By Justin Dehn Dec. 1, 2012

This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: It's freshman orientation at the Texas Capitol, and Gov. Rick Perry has appointed a new Texas Supreme Court justice and a new secretary of state. Full Story
Lawmakers Expect Fight Over Anti-Trafficking Bill

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Nov. 21, 2012

Lawmakers have proposed allowing victims of human trafficking to sue advertisers for damages in civil courts. Advocates say they expect to battle advertisers over free speech. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Video: Lawmakers Look Ahead to 83rd Session

By Alana Rocha Nov. 21, 2012

With the election behind them, the first round of bills filed and the start of the legislative session around the corner, Texas lawmakers will have plenty to talk about around the turkey table this Thanksgiving, including the House speaker's race. Full Story
Newsreel: Racing, With and Without Wheels

By Justin Dehn Nov. 17, 2012

This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: George P. Bush announces he will run for something, Bryan Hughes steps up his run for House speaker, F1 is running residents out of Austin this weekend and three candidates are running for the late state Sen. Mario Gallegos' seat in Houston — so far. Full Story
Perry, Dewhurst Back Drug Testing for Welfare Applicants

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project Nov. 13, 2012

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday expressed support for a bill that would require welfare applicants to take drug tests. Critics of the bill say it needlessly targets the poor. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
More Than 250 Bills Fly Out of the Legislative Gate

By Audrey White Nov. 13, 2012

In a preview of the impending 83rd legislative session, lawmakers filed more than 250 bills on Monday. The proposals would affect just about everything from public school testing to health insurance and how we buy milk. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Interactive: Bill Tracker for the 83rd Session

By Ryan Murphy and Travis Swicegood Nov. 13, 2012

Bill filing for the 83rd legislative session kicked off on Monday, and lawmakers filed more than 250 bills on the first day alone. The Tribune has retooled last session's bill tracker and put it to work, pulling in all the legislation that's been filed so far for 2013. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera