State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, filed a bill on Monday to clarify the open records obligations of state agencies, including — some would say specifically — the University of Texas System.

Amid mounting tensions between the University of Texas System and the Legislature, Senate Higher Education Chairman Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, is calling for Gov. Rick Perry to step in and calm the waters.

As tensions between lawmakers and the University of Texas System regents worsen, one regent is calling for hearings at the Capitol. “The legislators have serious questions,” Alex Cranberg told the Tribune. “Let’s be able to respond.”

Amid heightened tensions with state lawmakers, four University of Texas System regents have called for a special meeting of their board, likely to be held this week.

UPDATED: University of Texas System Regent Alex Cranberg told the Tribune late Saturday that the Legislature "deserves all the information we can get them as fast as we can."

UPDATED: In light of the University of Texas System's request to withhold records from lawmakers, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, issued a statement saying, "My only conclusion is that they have something to hide."

State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has reprised an effort from last session to remove funds from the Texas Commission on the Arts and dedicate them to assisting volunteer firefighters.

UPDATED: University of Texas System Regent Bobby Stillwell explained to the Tribune why he disagrees with his colleague Alex Cranberg's assessment of the need for an external review of the UT Law School Foundation.

There are only eight weeks until the legislative session ends and most lawmakers go home, which means time may be running out for defenders of Bill Powers and the University of Texas at Austin.

Emily, Ross, Reeve and Ayan discuss the debate over Medicaid expansion, the upcoming fight over the budget in the Texas House, and the latest issues with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The incoming president of Texas Tech University on his vision for the institution and why he isn't worried about coming to work in a state that is experiencing some debate around the issues of higher education governance.

With concerns about student debt and the price of college on the rise, the state’s leading financial aid experts joined the Tribune at SXSWedu to discuss what students, institutions and lawmakers can do to keep college affordable.

On Thursday night, the University of Texas at Austin opened four massive open online courses for registration. By Monday morning, total enrollment in the free courses stood at 14,000 — and counting.

UPDATED: As debates over gun control intensify across the nation, state senators on Tuesday tentatively approved a measure allowing Gov. Rick Perry to offer economic incentives to gun manufacturers that want to move to Texas.

Multiple amendments to the budget pre-filed by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, would limit the spending authority of the University of Texas System regents.