Video

More videos

• Jim Pitts on the Tea Party

  By Evan Smith Jan. 17, 2011

  The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on the Tea Partiers and other hyperconservative types who oppose him in his district. Full Story 

• Jim Pitts on Gambling

  By Evan Smith Jan. 17, 2011

  The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on why he'd back legalized gambling as a source of revenue for the state's coffers. Full Story 

• Jim Pitts on the Rainy Day Fund

  By Evan Smith Jan. 17, 2011

  The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on what lawmakers should do with the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story 

• The Weekly Recap: Jan. 10 - Jan. 14

  By Reeve Hamilton and Elise Hu Jan. 14, 2011

  No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our all-new weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14. Full Story 

• Dewhurst: I've Got My Plate Full

  By Elise Hu Jan. 13, 2011

  Minutes after learning of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's decision not to seek re-election, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst demurred when asked whether he would run for her seat. Full Story 

• Pitts: "There Will Be Less State Employees"

  By Evan Smith Jan. 13, 2011

  In our TribLive conversation this morning, state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, spoke frankly about the certainty that state employees would be cut as part of the Legislature's solution to the budget shortfall — and he said furloughs for employees who aren't cut may be ordered as well. Full Story 

• Perry Pressed on "Sanctuary Cities"

  By Elise Hu Jan. 12, 2011

  Gov. Rick Perry wants an end to "sanctuary cities," but in a press conference Wednesday morning, he didn't name specific cities he wants Texas lawmakers to target. Nor did he address whether the Department of Public Safety's policy of state troopers not inquiring about the immigration status of people they pull over should be changed. Full Story 

• Branch: Higher Ed Cuts Unavoidable

  By Elise Hu Jan. 12, 2011

  As state leaders grapple with a budget shortfall that could be as high as $27 billion, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who chaired the House Higher Education Committee in 2009, offers up some possible cuts to higher education. Full Story 

• 2011 Session: Opening Day Time Lapse

  By Caleb Bryant Miller Jan. 12, 2011

  A view of 2011's opening day over time. Full Story 

• HuTube: Behind the Scenes on Day One

  By Elise Hu Jan. 11, 2011

  In our latest HuTube video blog post, we take you to the Texas House on day one of the 82nd Legislative session. Come with us as we go through the new security system, visit with lawmakers and witness the election of the House Speaker. Full Story 

• Paxton Bows Out

  By Justin Dehn Jan. 11, 2011

  State Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, speaks on the opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session about his withdrawal from the race for Texas House Speaker. Full Story 

• Straus: Speaker's Race "Overanalyzed"

  By Elise Hu Jan. 10, 2011

  Despite loud protests from Tea Party groups that pushed for a more conservative leader, the Texas House Republican Caucus endorsed incumbent Speaker Joe Straus in an afternoon vote. Straus, appearing after the meeting, said the notion of a speaker's race was "overstudied and overanalyzed." Full Story