The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
After winning 44 percent of the Hispanic vote on Election Day, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott may find himself in turbulent political waters as he attempts to balance the interests of his Republican base and his newfound Hispanic friends. Full Story
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Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on what 2014 means for 2015 and beyond. Panelists included Christy Hoppe of The Dallas Morning News; Harvey Kronberg of Quorum Report; Erica Grieder of Texas Monthly; and Ross Ramsey of The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on the budget debate. Panelists included state Sens. Judith Zaffirini and Kel Seliger and state Reps. Drew Darby and Donna Howard. Full Story
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Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on what the Tea Party is seeking. Panelists included state Sens.-elect Paul Bettencourt and Konni Burton, state Rep. Jeff Leach, state Rep.-elect Matt Rinaldi and state Rep. Jonathan Stickland. Full Story
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Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on what's in store for big issues on the agenda. Panelists included state Reps. John Zerwas, Joe Pickett and Jimmie Don Aycock and state Sen. Kirk Watson. Full Story
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Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on the relationship between the House and the Senate. Panelists included state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, state Sen. Royce West, state Rep. Charlie Geren and state Sen. Larry Taylor. Full Story
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Texas' first governor to use a wheelchair will move into a mansion built 134 years before ADA accessibility requirements. But thanks to an arsonist’s Molotov cocktail, the home needs only minor fixes. Full Story
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The general election is over, but a pending pre-session deadline spurs a biennial fundraising spurt from state officeholders. Full Story
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In our 12/4 conversation, outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about what he'll do next. Full Story
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In our 12/4 conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about the possibility of greater funding in the 84th session for public and higher education. Full Story
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In our 12/4 conversation, outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about his successor and onetime rival, state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Full Story
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Full video of my 12/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who talked about Dan Patrick, education funding, border security, the two-thirds rule, what he'll do next, and more. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he would require all state agencies to use E-Verify, a federal electronic employee verification system that aims to prevent the hiring of illegal workers. Full Story
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Full video of Evan Smith's 12/1 conversation on the Texas Woman's University campus with state Reps. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, and Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton. Full Story
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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services released a series of recommendations late Monday for the 2015 legislative session. Full Story
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Lawmakers this week will choose a number — a projected growth limit for the state government — that will frame their budget battles throughout the coming legislative session. Full Story
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With the support of 80 percent of Texas voters, Proposition 1 is expected to add billions to the state highway fund without raising taxes or fees. For lawmakers, state officials and local stakeholders, now the real work begins. Full Story
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Little known outside the halls of Texas government, Daniel Hodge has become one of its more powerful behind-the-scenes figures. That's only becoming more true: He's expected to serve a key role in the new governor's administration. Full Story
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As the numbers mount in favor of House Speaker Joe Straus' reelection, the establishment wing of the Republican Party in Texas appears to be prevailing over activists who insist the state is more conservative than its Legislature. Full Story
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Nothing better demonstrates San Antonio's distinction as a political springboard for Hispanic Democrats than the political turnover triggered when Mayor Julián Castro left to join the Obama administration. Full Story
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