Video: Patrick on the Senate's "New Day"
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick enumerated the Texas Senate's accomplishments in the 84th Session. Full Story
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Video: Patrick on His Conservative Critics
At our 6/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rebuffed conservative criticism of the 84th Legislative Session. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Dan Patrick
Full video of my 6/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Among the topics discussed: 84th session accomplishments, conservative criticism, the Senate vs. the House, the 2016 presidential race and why he's not running against Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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"It's Time," Perry Says in Announcing Candidacy
Standing in front of a big white cargo plane with a new "Perry for President" logo, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry made official what he has been hinting for some time: He's running for president in 2016. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry at his presidential campaign kickoff on June 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
A Look Back at Rick Perry's Impact in Texas
Take a look back at our 10-part series on the impact of Rick Perry, Texas' longest-serving governor. See what he will probably be most remembered for, and his impact in various policy areas. Full Story
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Straus Files for Another Term as Speaker
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has filed the paperwork to officially seek another term presiding over the lower chamber. If he wins, it will be his fifth. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus, right, with state Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, on June 1, 2015.]()
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Sen. Fraser Decides Against Running for Re-election
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday he is not running for re-election, bringing to a close a 27-year tenure at the Capitol. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Vetoes Overdose Defense, Emergency Detention Bills
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed two bills on Monday, including one aimed at encouraging people to call 911 during drug overdoses, even if they are in possession of illegal substances themselves. Full Story
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In a More Conservative Legislature, Few Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
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A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
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Health Budget Kicks Can Down Road, Experts Say
On balance, health care for the neediest Texans didn't fare well this session. Departing lawmakers leave behind a Medicaid budget that most experts agree is too low, and they predict it will spawn a hole in the state budget that will have to be filled later. Full Story
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Fracked Again, Denton Says Fight Isn't Over
Seven months after a rag-tag group of local activists scored a surprising victory over the state’s powerful oil and gas industry when Denton voted to ban hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas company Monday resumed operations under a state law passed to overturn Denton's ban. Full Story
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![Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process.]()
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Video: Wrapping Up the 84th Legislature
Lawmakers in the State Capitol spent the final day of the 84th Legislature making speeches and saying farewell to colleagues who aren’t seeking another term. But before Monday, there was plenty of debate and bills passed on issues that impact every Texan. Full Story
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Abbott Opposes Curbs on Dark Money
Republicans went to war with one another over the idea of disclosing dark money. But they probably needn't bother. Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Monday that he thinks the idea is unconstitutional. Proponents of shining a light on it disagree. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs HB4, which adds funding for pre-K, into law at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin Texas May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Patrick: I'm Not Running Against Abbott in 2018
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to reporters after the Texas Senate wrapped up the 84th legislative session on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
State Rep. Farias Won't Seek Another Term in the House
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Farias announces his retirement in front of the Texas House on June 1, 2015.]()
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Storify: The Last Day of the 84th Legislative Session
The 84th Legislative Session is wrapping up today. Here's a selection of what journalists, lawmakers and others shared on social media, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on the last day of the 84th session June 1, 2015]()
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Analysis: Small Visions, Small Results in Session
Texas lawmakers started the legislative session without a list of big problems to solve or election mandates to fulfill. And they are ending it without the kinds of results that fill the history books. Full Story
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In Texas, a Collapse of Ethics Reform
When the gavel comes down on the legislative session on Monday, lawmakers will have failed to pass into law about two dozen different proposals aimed at curbing conflicts of interest and shining light into the dark corners of the Capitol. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivering his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
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Lawmaker Trivia: How Well Do You Know Your State Legislators?
You've spent the last five months with them — but how well do you really know Texas' state legislators? Take our House and Senate trivia quizzes to find out. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman