The latest 84th Legislative Session news from The Texas Tribune.
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, explained why the House's lower proposed allocation for border security funding is more conservative than the Senate's. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
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The House’s chief budget writer on Thursday praised a proposal to overhaul the school finance system by grouping the state’s 1,026 regular school districts into a few "school finance districts" — a tax move aimed at equalizing per-student funding statewide. Full Story
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Gun rights activists haven't been shy about making their presence felt at the Capitol. They'll have their first chance to weigh in on actual legislation on Thursday, when a Senate committee takes up two gun bills. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey: a widely shared video in which a Florida congressman calls Texas a "crazy state." Full Story
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State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, said Friday he will propose legislation to eliminate "conscientious exemptions" because of the re-emergence of diseases like measles attributed to growing numbers of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. Full Story
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At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, talked about the flagging four-year graduation rates at our public universities — and what to do about them. Full Story
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At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, explained his opposition to campus carry legislation. Full Story
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At our 2/5 conversation, Admiral William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System, defended the current state law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public universities. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/5 conversation with Adm. William McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas System. Full Story
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While state lawmakers have expressed interest in a widespread curtailing of the state’s economic incentive program, Gov. Greg Abbott is requesting $95 million for the state's film incentive program in the next budget. Full Story
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Two lawmakers in the Texas House have presented a plan for a major overhaul of early education in the state. The measure would create an incentive payment system for school districts offering full-day pre-kindergarten programs. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey talk about U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who's showing all the signs that he's gearing up for a presidential run. Full Story
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UPDATED: State Sen. Donna Campbell and Land Commissioner George P. Bush were among the speakers who addressed a gathering of school choice supporters Friday just outside the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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This year's Texas Muslim Capitol Day was marred by an inflammatory Facebook post from freshman state Rep. Molly White and a small but disruptive group of protesters. Full Story
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UPDATED: A Muslim group at the Capitol has asked Speaker Joe Straus whether state Rep. Molly White violated ethics rules by instructing her staff to ask Muslim visitors to her office to declare their allegiance to the U.S. Full Story
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The session has barely begun, and the prospect of a new law allowing Texans to openly carry handguns first appeared to be inevitable, then dead, then alive again. Oddly, it's the idea's supporters who keep scrambling its political fate. Full Story
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UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that a runoff will take place Feb. 17 in the special election for the House seat vacated by Lois Kolkhorst. Full Story
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At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about why open carry legislation isn't necessarily going to pass in the 84th session. Full Story
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At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about vouchers — and whether the 84th session's outcome on the issue might differ from that of the 83rd. Full Story
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