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TribBlog: Kuempel Wins Father's Seat

By Evan Smith Dec. 14, 2010

Republican John Kuempel, a 40-year-old metal salesman and University of Texas graduate, won tonight's special election in House District 44 with 66 percent of the vote. Full Story
The Defectors

By Elise Hu Dec. 14, 2010

After announcing they were defecting from the Democratic Party, state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, and state Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, were welcomed by Texas Republican leaders at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. Full Story
TribBlog: Party Boys

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2010

Surrounded by statewide elected officials and a pack of fellow lawmakers, Democrats Aaron Peña of Edinburg and Allan Ritter of Nederland defected to the Republican Party this afternoon. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
TribBlog: Peña on Party Switching

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 14, 2010

After serving eight years as a Democrat, Edinburg state Rep. Aaron Peña explains why he is joining the Republican Party. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn
TribBlog: Sources Say Peña Will Switch Parties

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2010

State Rep. Aaron Peña of Edinburg has decided to change parties and will announce the switch at a press conference this afternoon with Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Joe Straus, according to Republican sources. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn
The Midday Brief: Dec. 14, 2010

By David Muto Dec. 14, 2010

Your afternoon reading: Peña's problem; more on that supermajority; and Railroad Commission controversy Full Story

Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
TribBlog: "Soft Corruption" at the Railroad Commission?

By Matt Stiles Dec. 14, 2010

Members of the Texas Railroad Commission have become increasingly reliant on large campaign donations in the last decade, especially from industries they regulate, according to a new report to be issued today by Public Citizen's Texas office. Full Story

Credit: Jacob Villanueva
The Brief: Dec. 14, 2010

By David Muto Dec. 14, 2010

State Republicans got an early gift Monday. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Diagnosis: Unconstitutional

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Dec. 14, 2010

A federal court's ruling on Monday declaring parts of federal health care reform unconstitutional elicited plenty of reaction in Texas, which is part of a separate attempt to repeal the new law. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Energy Boost

By Kate Galbraith Dec. 14, 2010

Energy is never far from the agenda at the Legislature. This year, Sunset Advisory Commission reviews of oil and gas and electricity regulators will keep the sector in the spotlight, as will renewed clamor for legislation — however unlikely to happen in a tough budget environment — to aid clean energy. Full Story

Credit: Wayne National Forest
What 100 Means

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2010

When state Rep. Allan Ritter, D-Nederland, switches parties today, he'll give the Republicans the votes to do anything they want. With a two-thirds majority, the GOP will be able to suspend the rules that govern House business and will have the numbers to keep working even if the Democrats take a walk. On a practical level, Ritter's switch gives Republicans an even bigger buffer on votes that just require a majority of the 150-member House. "It means we can lose 24 votes and still win," says state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, the chairman of the House Republican Caucus. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman