A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last week upholding an Arizona law that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants may give Texas lawmakers some newfound momentum to file immigration-related legislation.

In the end, a late-night filibuster in the Senate killed school finance for the regular session. But SB 1581’s earlier crash-and-burn in the House is an odyssey worth revisiting as lawmakers take up the issue in their special session. 

Hypothetically speaking, of course, what does a special session mean for Rick Perry's presidential hopes?

The Trib's multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)

Early in the session, there was much talk about how the time was right to invest in new university campus facilities. But a bill to issue bonds to get projects off the ground never managed to do so itself. Could it get another chance in the special session?

The Senate Finance Committee — for the second time — has passed out measures designed to make Medicaid more efficient and effective, and to open the door for medical professions and institutions to collaborate.

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Justice Nathan Hecht sent lawmakers a letter Wednesday urging them to find $20 million during the special session to help needy people access civil courts.

Your afternoon reading: congressional map proposal to change, leader says; Cruz nets key endorsement for U.S. Senate; highlights from the 82nd legislative session

Former Railroad Commissioner Michael Wiliams, who announced his intention back in January to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, is likely to drop out of that race and instead run for a newly created congressional seat, multiple sources tell the Tribune.

Three contentious and broad-based immigration and homeland security issues have been rolled into one bill filed today by a Republican state senator.

Texas politicians with mistakes on their campaign finance reports will be able to correct them without penalties if the governor signs a bill approved during the regular legislative session.

The “anti-groping” bill may not be dead just yet. State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who authored the original bill, is renewing his quest to uphold the Fourth Amendment in the special session. 

"We're convinced he'll be a leader," the bellwether conservative group's president tells the Tribune. "He's committed to pro-growth issues. When we find someone like him, we move quickly."