The Brief: Jan. 21, 2013
Texas Democrats rode a fresh wave of optimism over the weekend as inauguration festivities descended on Washington. Full Story
The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas Democrats rode a fresh wave of optimism over the weekend as inauguration festivities descended on Washington. Full Story
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
Hoping to avert another debt ceiling showdown, President Obama has found a little common ground with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
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
Sweeping new gun-control efforts this week have provoked a fierce reaction — and even an ad campaign — in Texas. Full Story
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
New fundraising numbers have sparked another round of speculation about the state's 2014 political battles. Full Story
Your evening reading: Abbott posts 3-to-1 cash advantage over Perry; state lawmakers file bill to broaden financial disclosure; House Republican Caucus picks leader Full Story
If money's a show of strength, George P. Bush — who's angling for statewide office — just came out swinging. Full Story
The Tribune asked all 180 current members of the Legislature to provide their last three tax returns — and got few takers. Most lawmakers either ignored the request or said they weren’t comfortable with that level of disclosure. Full Story
The White House, responding to calls for secession from Texas and seven other states, has called for healthy debate, but to not let "that debate tear us apart." Full Story
Twenty journalists have spent nine months researching the personal financial interests of members of the 83rd Legislature. Eyebrows — and hackles — may be raised, but this kind of transparency is good for Texas. Full Story
The Lawmaker Explorer is a first-of-its-kind interactive tool that gives Texans a window into the personal interests of their state legislators. It is the linchpin of the Tribune's Bidness as Usual project, a session-long look at ethics and transparency in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
With a lacking conflict disclosure system, virtually toothless ethics laws and a Legislature historically unwilling to make itself more transparent, Texans know little about who or what influences the people elected to represent them. Full Story
After successfully fending off another challenge to his speakership, Joe Straus faces a tough task in the session. He will have to tackle issues that have been thorny for Republicans in the past, without further alienating the far right. Full Story
The latest churn of the rumor mill has stoked speculation about the political futures of two prominent Texans. Full Story
Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the opening days of the new legislative session, including the comptroller's revenue estimate, the re-election of Speaker Joe Straus and the priorities of the leadership. Full Story
Here's a list of the Twitter handles of the 120 state lawmakers who do the communications thing 140 characters at a time. Full Story
Two legislative committees are set to hold hearings on state programs designed to encourage businesses to invest here, about a week after a New York Times series brought increased attention to Texas' approach to such incentives. Full Story
At the 2012 Texas Tribune Festival, I talked 2012 presidential politics with Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker, Gwen Ifill of Washington Week and Julie Mason of Sirius/XM's The Press Pool. Full Story