Lawmakers Collect Daily Pay Even in Recess
It doesn't feel much like there's a special session going on at the state Capitol, but that doesn't mean taxpayers won't get a bill for it. Lawmakers get paid whether they're here or not. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
State Chooses Study Over Money to Reduce Wait Times at Texas Ports
Lawmakers and local officials from the Texas-Mexico border wanted funding to train more inspectors and speed up commerce at land ports. Instead, they got a study. Full Story
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Inside Intelligence: Grading the 83rd Legislature...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked for grades on the state's top leaders, on the House and Senate, about the heroes and goats of the session, and about how many legislators won't be back. Full Story
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Video: Session of Transparency Fell Short
When it came to passing major ethics reforms that would have increased transparency for elected officials, the 83rd Legislature didn't make much headway. Lawmakers, it seems, didn't have the appetite for increased public disclosure. Full Story
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Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller / Todd Wiseman -
Agenda Texas: Never a Quick Fix for Redistricting
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Those hoping for a quick special session may be disappointed. As lawmakers learned last week, there's nothing quick or easy about redistricting. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Newsreel: Special Session, Redistricting, 2014 Elections
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
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TribLive: How'd the Senate Do?
Here's full video of my May 30 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin. Full Story
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Will Perry Run Again? And if So, for What?
Robert Black, a former aide to Gov. Rick Perry, has some advice for people who think they can predict the governor's next political move: "For those out there trying to read the tea leaves, don’t. Because you’re probably going to be wrong.” Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New Animal Law is Welcome but Expensive
Legislators made Texas the 21st state to prohibit the use of gas chambers to euthanize animals that have not been claimed or adopted. But switching to the only legal method, lethal injection, could be costly for some. Full Story
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![Over the last decade, the animal shelter in Eagle Pass most often performed euthanasia with carbon monoxide - a practice now outlawed.]()
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Sharper Elbows in a Special Session
The comity of the regular session might disappear in a special session: The rules change to the disadvantage of the Democrats, and the agenda changes to the advantage of the governor. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Interactive: Special Sessions, 1971 to Now
The current special session is the 10th in Gov. Rick Perry's gubernatorial tenure. Take a look at our visualization to see all the special sessions called since 1971, the subjects lawmakers tackled and how Perry compares to previous governors. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribLive: Patrick and Watson on Public Education
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin, talked about the 83rd Legislature's approach to public education reform. Full Story
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TribLive: Patrick and Watson on the Budget
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin, explained their different votes on the state budget. Full Story
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TribLive: Patrick on His Plans for 2014
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, addressed the rumors that he's considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
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Agenda Texas: Water Plan Goes to Voters
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Lawmakers ended the regular session declaring victory on water, but will voters agree to fund the projects lawmakers say the state desperately needs? Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Pedro Moura Pinheiro -
Redistricting Lawyers: Keep the Senate Maps for 2014
UPDATED: At a federal redistricting hearing in San Antonio, lawyers for the state and the various plaintiffs agreed that the state Senate maps used in 2012 should be left as is for the 2014 elections. But they still differ on the House and Congress plans. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Muliadi Soenaryo/Todd Wiseman -
Interactive: How Perry Uses His Veto Power
As the longest-serving Texas governor, Rick Perry has vetoed his share of bills — 275 of them since taking office in December 2000. Use our interactive to see the history of Perry's veto power. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Agenda Texas: Redistricting Court Battle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The special session on redistricting is under way, but unlike previous redistricting efforts in Texas, most of the action this time may not take place at the Capitol. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Senators Hope to Revive Plan to Fund Roads
A plan to fund Texas highway construction by diverting half of the money that currently feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund could find new life in a special session. Full Story
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Perry Hails Water Bill, is Evasive on His Future
Gov. Rick Perry signed a major water infrastructure bill into law on May 28. Speaking to reporters afterward, he remained coy about his political future and wouldn't say if he will add any items to the special session agenda. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 4, which lays the foundation for Texas' future water needs. He is joined by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay on May 28, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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