The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming. Full Story
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Texas Democrats have been fighting an uphill battle against Republicans for almost two decades, but a new Washington-based group wants to invest tens of millions of dollars to turn Texas blue. Full Story
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A new group may provide Texas Democrats with an answer to their long-ignored prayers for a political comeback. Full Story
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Your evening reading: state tax-break bill targets federal contraception rule; national Democrats launch Texas initiative; Texas Republicans rebuke Clinton over Benghazi testimony Full Story
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Resuscitating the 2011 redistricting battle, two lawmakers have filed bills requiring the state to count prisoners at their last home address rather than where they are incarcerated. They say it cheats urban districts out of representatives. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about the ongoing investigation into allegations that a longtime campaign aide stole hundreds of thousands of dollars — or more —from his political accounts. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about what he learned in his unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about whether public education funding in Texas is sufficient and where additional money might come from. Full Story
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The 2013 legislative session may have just begun, but for half of the state Senate, the 2014 election season started Wednesday. Full Story
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Ross, Reeve, Emily and Morgan discuss how legislators might react to a recent shooting incident, the state's approach to the women's health services and the upshot of the recently announced Senate Committee assignments. Full Story
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Your evening reading: 3 injured in shooting at Houston community college; lawmakers sound off on Roe v. Wade anniversary; Legislature weighing fees on electric cars Full Story
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Texas Republicans in Washington largely put partisanship aside on Monday as President Obama marked the beginning of his second term with a vigorous defense of liberalism. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Texas lawmakers set politics aside for inauguration; Cornyn calls Obama's speech "aspirational"; Mexico drawn into gun control debate Full Story
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Texas Democrats rode a fresh wave of optimism over the weekend as inauguration festivities descended on Washington. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn presses Holder for information on internet activist's death; Dallas mayor backs Obama on gun control; Texas unemployment rate falls Full Story
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Hoping to avert another debt ceiling showdown, President Obama has found a little common ground with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
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After Texas lawmakers were told they’d be working with a budget surplus this session, some immediately began calling for tax cuts. Now, one prominent business lobbying group has unveiled a plan for what those cuts could look like. Full Story
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Sweeping new gun-control efforts this week have provoked a fierce reaction — and even an ad campaign — in Texas. Full Story
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Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, praised President Obama's proposals to curb gun violence, while Gov. Rick Perry shunned efforts to increase regulation and called for prayer. Full Story
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New fundraising numbers have sparked another round of speculation about the state's 2014 political battles. Full Story
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