The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
On the first day of the 84th Legislature, state lawmakers were sworn into office amidst family and friends. Afterwards, the House re-elected Joe Straus speaker, while the Senate made Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa president pro tempore. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8074Carolyn.jpg)
State lawmakers and their families filled the Texas Capitol in Austin on Tuesday for the start of the 2015 legislative session – a day complete with formalities, pomp and a vote for House speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Straus2.jpg)
The House on Tuesday re-elected Joe Straus to be speaker, easily squelching a rebellion from a noisy but small faction of conservatives who backed Scott Turner. Were the challengers out of sync with Texans, or just with the current management? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/7C2A0406.jpg)
We're livestreaming lawmakers in action on their first day in the Capitol, courtesy of the Texas Legislature. Both the House and Senate convene at noon; the House has a speaker's race on the agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/09/Driving-Capitol_1.jpg)
We've relaunched our Ethics Explorer on day one of the 84th legislative session to show you how elected officials' personal interests might conflict with the public interest. Take a look at incoming lawmakers, judges and members of the SBOE. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/EthicsExplorerUPdate2015.jpg)
Got your popcorn ready? The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day regular session today at noon, with ceremonies, a little pomp and a skirmish or two. Here's a look at what's happening today. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5.jpg)
A deputy from former Attorney General Greg Abbott's office will be running the Texas Department of Insurance, Gov. Rick Perry's office announced Monday. But he appears to just be a temporary replacement for outgoing Commissioner Julia Rathgeber. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding7.jpg)
In his first official act as Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller granted full amnesty to cupcakes. Miller was seeking to reassure Texas parents that it's legal to bring cupcakes and other treats to school — and that he'll protect that right. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/UP9A0065.jpg)
State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, says Texas lawmakers shouldn't wait for the outcome of a sprawling school finance lawsuit to discuss changes to the state's public education funding system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/30/Jimmie-Don-Aycock.jpg)
At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about what kind of lieutenant governor Dan Patrick will be. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/7C2A9917.jpg)
At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about proposed gun legislation in the 84th session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/7C2A9889.jpg)
At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about the likely fate of the two-thirds rule. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/7C2A9881.jpg)
Full video of my 1/12 conversation with state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A9903.jpg)
Here's video of Comptroller Glenn Hegar speaking Monday about the Biennial Revenue Estimate, the amount of revenue available for the Legislature to spend in the 2016-17 state budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/_S3R7679HegarCU.jpg)
Another legislative session is starting, with a twist. Texans, accustomed to the same players in the same offices for years and years, will see something new as this unfolds: change. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/Capitolbuilding1_1.jpg)
With the 84th Legislature starting next week and new faces in every statewide office, it feels like a "Brand New Day" in and around the Capitol, so that's how we started this week's playlist off of the week's news. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/09/Brand_New_Day_copy.jpg)
The embattled agency on Friday promised reforms, after confirming a Tribune finding that an employee with ties to Commissioner Kyle Janek and ousted chief counsel Jack Stick has been pursuing his MBA at taxpayers' expense. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/D54H5618.jpg)
Two of three federal appeals judges hearing arguments on Texas' ban on same-sex marriages had tough questions for a state attorney's argument that marriage is a “subsidy” that the state has the right to grant and withhold. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/07/5thCircuit_copy.jpg)
This week in the Roundup: The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals weighs in on two Texas cases — one on the state's same-sex marriage ban and another on a provision of the state's new abortion law. Also, three special legislative elections result in runoffs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/010915_Roundup_Still.jpg)
If fans of Dr Pepper and the Fort Worth Zoo don't get it in gear, their chance to buy specialty license plates might soon be gone. The Houston Rockets are hanging by a thread. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/Four_Plates_Under_200_copy.jpg)