Video: A Conversation With Hancock, Kolkhorst and Rodríguez
Full video of my 5/28 conversation with state Sens. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills; Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and José Rodríguez, D-El Paso. Full Story
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Budget Deal Includes $25 Million Boost for Alamo
Budget writers have added some last-minute cash for the Alamo, in large part to ensure the state holds on to a collection of Alamo artifacts from British music legend Phil Collins. Full Story
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![Phil Collins with his collection of Alamo artifacts at his home in Switzerland.]()
Credit: Texas General Land Office -
House and Senate Will Hash Out Open Carry Differences
After outspoken opposition from the state's law enforcement officials, the Texas House on Wednesday took a step toward removing a controversial provision from legislation allowing licensed Texans to openly carry handguns. Full Story
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![House members listen to Parliamentarian Chris Griesel rule on amendments to HB910 open carry bill on May 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Votes Count, but the Rules Can Count More
At the end of the legislative session, votes still count and majorities are important. But the rules come into play as well, and so do the political minorities. Full Story
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![Texas House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel and Speaker Joe Straus with several other House members on dias May 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Campus Carry Gets Final Approval in Texas House
The battle over "campus carry" is headed back to the Texas Senate after House lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation requiring universities in the state to allow concealed handguns on campus. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Police Chiefs: Open Carry Provision "Handcuffs" Law Enforcement
Texas police chiefs are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to veto legislation repealing certain handgun restrictions in Texas if lawmakers do not remove a controversial provision the chiefs fear would allow criminals to carry firearms without repercussions. Full Story
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![Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and Austin Police Association President Kenneth Casaday speak with state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, right, on Feb. 12, 2015, at the Texas Capitol.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Hopes Fading for New Limits for Tuition Growth
With the death of all legislation specifically aiming to re-regulate tuition costs at Texas' public universities, proponents of the idea see few avenues for implementing the idea this year. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
After Day of Rules Warfare, Both Sides Claim Some Wins
A daylong parliamentary battle ensued Tuesday as the Texas House faced a crucial deadline to pass many major bills before they died. Democrats succeeded in killing an abortion bill, while Republicans managed to pass ethics reform legislation and a version of campus carry. Full Story
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![House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel is handed another stack of bills during debate on S.B. 19 Tuesday evening May 26, 2015 in the Texas House.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Supplemental Budget Bill Addresses Health Care for Retired Teachers
The Texas Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a $564.6 million bill that plugs holes in the current budget and shores up the health care plan for retired teachers. Full Story
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![Chairman State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton and Chairman Sen. Jane Nelson at Joint Committee on Appropriations May 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal
House and Senate leaders have come to an agreement on a deal to significantly boost the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding. Full Story
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![State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Short List With Some Explosive Issues
It's not the end of the session, but Tuesday marks the end of the line for a lot of legislation. And the fates of the items at the bottom of the House's list could be determined by long debates on ethics, guns, abortion and state spending limits. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House to Take Up Campus Carry Ahead of Deadline
Supporters of campus carry will be fighting against the clock on Tuesday when the Texas House takes up previously delayed legislation requiring public universities and colleges to allow concealed handguns on their campuses. Full Story
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House Enlarged Tax Relief Proposal's Price Tag by $400 Million
The ball is in the Senate's court on a major tax relief deal after the House unexpectedly increased the price tag by $400 million. Full Story
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Proposal Targets Residency Requirement for Statewide Elected Officials
Statewide elected officials would no longer be required to live in Austin under a constitutional amendment that could be headed to voters on a general election ballot. The House tentatively backed the measure on Monday. Full Story
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![House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Veterans' Tuition Benefit Largely Unchanged in House
After months of debate over how to rein in the growing costs associated with the Hazlewood Act – the state’s tuition benefits program for veterans and their dependents – it appears as though it will largely stay the same. Full Story
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Credit: Lain Yandahi -
House Unanimously Backs Property Tax Break
In a 136-1 vote, the House favored Senate Bill 1, which would raise the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution in November. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Texas Legislators Move Closer to Overhauling State's Grand Jury System
The Texas House on Sunday gave final approval to an overhaul of the state's grand juries, moving one step closer to getting rid of a controversial way of seating the panels. Full Story
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Inside Texas Politics: Waco Shootout and Secret Tapings
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the shootout in Waco and its effect on the open carry debate and the not-so-secret tapings of state lawmakers. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on May 24, 2015.]()
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Key House Leader: Union Dues Bill is Dying
State Rep. Byron Cook confirmed that he does not plan to schedule a vote on legislation that would end automatic payroll deductions for union and non-union dues of most public employees. Full Story
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![Byron Cook speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.]()
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Senate Approves State Employee Pension Funding Plan
The Texas Senate on Friday voted to beef up the state’s underfunded retirement system for state employees by adding about $440 million to the program, a plan that has received mixed reviews from state employee advocacy groups. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, co-chair of the House Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations, is shown calling an executive session on May, 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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