state government

House Halts Attempt to Expand Lawmakers' Gun Rights

By Alana Rocha May 23, 2013

Many self-proclaimed gun enthusiasts in the Texas House aren't ready to expand their own gun rights if they can't do the same for their constituents. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
TribLive: Branch on the 2014 AG Race

By Evan Smith May 23, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, addressed the rumors that he plans to run for attorney general in 2014. Full Story
TribLive: Branch and Martinez Fischer on Medicaid

By Evan Smith May 23, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, talked about the Legislature's resistance to expanding Medicaid. Full Story
Will Lawmakers Save the Railroad Commission?

By Kate Galbraith May 23, 2013

UPDATED: If lawmakers don't do something quickly, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas in the state, could disappear. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
TribLive: Branch and TMF on Transportation

By Evan Smith May 23, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, talked about why the Legislature has made so little progress on transportation funding — and what happens now. Full Story
Budget Agreement Leaves About $8 Billion in Fund

By Aman Batheja May 23, 2013

The budget deal that took a step closer to passage Wednesday evening would spend $3.9 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund. That would leave more in the fund than many lawmakers or Gov. Rick Perry had earlier proposed. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Matt Howe
Higher Ed Graduations Increase, Board Finds

By Reeve Hamilton May 23, 2013

Texas public universities awarded more than 50,000 bachelor’s degrees in spring 2013, an increase of more than 5,000 from 2012, according to preliminary data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Ahead of Perry Decision, Abbott's Campaign Already in Motion

By Emily Ramshaw May 23, 2013

Gov. Rick Perry hasn’t yet said whether he’s running for re-election — but Attorney General Greg Abbott doesn't appear to be waiting for him to make up his mind. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
State Equal Pay Act Survives the Senate

By Alana Rocha May 22, 2013

House Bill 950, by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, a measure designed to prevent pay discrimination against women, narrowly passed the upper chamber with a vote of 17-14 on Wednesday. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Eiland Won't Seek Re-election

By Emily Ramshaw May 22, 2013

State Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, will not seek re-election, he announced in a tearful personal privilege speech on the House floor on Wednesday night. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
House, Senate Pass Bills Key to Budget Deal

By Emily Ramshaw and Aman Batheja May 22, 2013

UPDATED: After days of jockeying and one-upsmanship, the Texas House and Senate each approved measures Wednesday evening critical to passing their next two-year budget. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Caleb Bryant Miller
Health Care Hecklers Meet With Perry

By Becca Aaronson and Jay Root May 22, 2013

UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry met with three health care activists who helped organize a protest of his speech before Austin business leaders Wednesday. Both sides said the meeting was cordial, though there were no breakthroughs. Full Story

Credit: Alana Rocha
An Expensive Celebration, Courtesy of the Lobby

By Ross Ramsey May 22, 2013

End-of-session dinners are commonplace for legislative committees at the end of the session, and they can be lavish affairs. One this week cost more than $22,000. Full Story
School Marshal Bill Headed for Governor's Desk

By Alana Rocha May 22, 2013

The Senate on Wednesday gave its approval to House Bill 1009, which would allow school districts to designate certain employees to carry concealed weapons and serve as school marshals. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
With Humor and Temper, Carona Plays the Maverick

By Elena Schneider May 22, 2013

Sen. John Carona remains a political maverick in the Texas Legislature, willing to stand alone in policy fights and raise money for Democrats, despite conservative grassroots pressure to conform to stricter ideology. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
House Tentatively OKs Bill to Review Solitary Confinement

By Brandi Grissom May 21, 2013

UPDATED: The House on Tuesday tentatively approved a bill that would require a now-defunct legislative oversight committee to hire a third party to review solitary confinement conditions in Texas prisons and juvenile lockups. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Polling Center: Budget Endgames and Public Opinion

By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank May 21, 2013

The public doesn't closely follow legislative debates over the budget, but sometimes those budget debates line up pretty accurately with public opinion. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
A Green Light for Lawmakers' Pension Hikes, Double Dipping

By Jay Root May 21, 2013

UPDATED: State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, again attempted to add a measure decoupling legislators' pensions from judges' pay. But the amendment to Senate Bill 1459 was defeated Tuesday. Full Story
Video: The Legislature's Express Lane

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha May 21, 2013

They are uncontested pieces of legislation that seemingly pass without much consideration. But the lawmakers, staff and various groups who have a hand in local and uncontested bills say the measures are "well vetted." Full Story
Retirees Have Carona's Company in Crosshairs

By Jay Root May 21, 2013

Many of the residents of Sun City Shadow Hills near Palm Springs say they're being overcharged and hit with unfair penalties by their HOA. They have the company run by state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, in their crosshairs. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Todd Wiseman