The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to civic participation in the U.S., according to the Texas Civic Health Index. Only a few states had lower voter registration, political discussion and contact between public officials and the public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/03/Regina-Lawrence-photo.jpg)
When it came to passing major ethics reforms that would have increased transparency for elected officials, the 83rd Legislature didn't make much headway. Lawmakers, it seems, didn't have the appetite for increased public disclosure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Bidness-Ethics-2.jpg)
Politics is fast. Redistricting is slow. A rare set of openings has candidates wrestling for advantage at the same time that redistricting debates are raising some of the same questions that stalled the 2012 primaries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2a967d6ddaa8b3999abd3d06d784dd4a/BD%20INC%20Susan%20Combs%202010)
The comptroller's announcement that she won't seek re-election prompted a flurry of declarations of interest, which in turn prompted other flurries, and so on. In the minds of Texas politicians, it's already 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a3fb7b8f6b07857d31d5d91aaf21c445/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Combs%20Replacements%2003%202013)
A subdued start to the special session has shifted attention back to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f77239598d223ba752279727ee0b915/BD%20INC%20Perry%20Capitol%202012)
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/053013_ART_newsreel.jpg)
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Texas lawmakers may still be hanging around the Capitol for a special legislative session, but their minds are wandering toward 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_ElectionDay_Tamir.Kalifa017.jpg)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, addressed the rumors that he's considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Wideshot-1.jpg)
Comptroller Susan Combs announced Wednesday that she will not seek re-election and that she is retiring from public office at the end of her term. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/11/SusanCombs.jpg)
UPDATED: At a federal redistricting hearing in San Antonio, lawyers for the state and the various plaintiffs agreed that the state Senate maps used in 2012 should be left as is for the 2014 elections. But they still differ on the House and Congress plans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RedistrictingHouse.jpg)
State Rep. Tom Craddick, who authored a bill that would have made texting while driving a criminal offense in Texas, is pointing the finger at Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Nichols over the measure's failure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/16/TextDriver.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry signed a major water infrastructure bill into law on May 28. Speaking to reporters afterward, he remained coy about his political future and wouldn't say if he will add any items to the special session agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/28/PerrySigning.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry has until June 16 to sign or veto bills from the legislative session, but political operatives are already combing through the records of the proceedings, looking for votes that might haunt legislators in next year's elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/734aaee8d6cb15b611e90127ab80038e/BD%20INC%20House%20Files%20196-1%202013)
If Texas’ less-than-theatrical 83rd legislative session is remembered at all, it will be known for accords, not discord. Here's a look at top storylines from this session and what they could portend for the future. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/24/Overview.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed a divisive measure that would have forced some tax-exempt, politically active nonprofits to disclose their donors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/01/BidnessCpaitolMoney.jpg)
The final version of a controversial bill filed to prevent so-called ballot harvesting was approved by the House on Friday, but not before a key provision was diluted in the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CallieRichmondPhoto-0002.jpg)
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Only a few days remain in the 83rd legislative session, and everything is up in the air — including whether lawmakers will come back for more when the session ends on Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/052413_Newreel_ART.jpg)
David Dewhurst, the state's lieutenant governor for the past decade, started this legislative session looking for some momentous conservative victories. He's still looking. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/726135e19027146516e014d5293efa0b/BD%20INC%20Dewhurst%20012%202013)
The clock is ticking for lawmakers hard at work to pass prize bills in the final days of the 83rd legislative session. Here's a look at what's still outstanding. Check back often: We'll update this story as deals are brokered or broken. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Interior.jpg)
Full video of my 5/23 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLive-3_1.jpg)