On day one of the 83rd Legislature, the House Speaker’s race turned out not to be much of a competition, and an unexpected event forced Gov. Perry to pause during his remarks to the Senate.
Jan 8, 2013 8:08 pm
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State Government
Video: Simpson Withdraws From Speaker’s Race
Saying he wasn’t certain of victory and didn’t want to put other members at risk by forcing a vote, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Watch his full comments from the House floor.
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Energy
As Oil and Gas Booms, Town Hopes for Transformation
Even a surging local economy, aided by the oil and gas industry, hasn’t spared the coastal town of Port Lavaca from the pain of state budget cuts, which have hit local schools especially hard.
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Energy
LCRA Approves Water Plan Likely to Cut Off Rice Farmers
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s board of directors on Tuesday unanimously approved an emergency plan that could cut off water for most rice farmers downstream to protect supplies for the city of Austin.
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State Government
Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session
Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared.
Posted inState Government
The Evening Brief: Jan. 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Straus re-elected after Simpson withdraws; Dewhurst says Senate will keep two-thirds rule; Perry cautions lawmakers against spending budget surplus
Posted in
State Government
Dewhurst Says Senate Will Maintain Two-Thirds Rule
The contentious rule that allows a minority of senators to block legislation is again under fire, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the two-thirds rule will continue in the Senate for another session.
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State Government
Straus Re-elected House Speaker by Acclamation
House Speaker Joe Straus won another term in that position after his challenger, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race.
Posted inState Government
Perry: Don’t Start Making Plans to Spend Surplus
Gov. Rick Perry warned Texas lawmakers not to start making grand plans for the multibillion-dollar budget surplus and the growing Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Public Education
Land Board Votes to Transfer $300 Million to School Fund
The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The funds had been caught in a standoff between the Legislature and the board, whose members include Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
