Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, talks to a colleague on the House floor on May 16, 2011.

Your evening reading: Simpson files for speaker, wins Hughes' support; majority back path to citizenship, poll says; secession petition still awaiting White House response

Enlarge photo by: Spencer Selvidge

Gov. Rick Perry at the 2012 Texas Tribune Festival in on Sept. 21, 2012.

Already a known foe of federal health care reform, Gov. Rick Perry doesn't have high hopes for the law's success nationwide, either.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, on June 16, 2011

Your evening reading: lawmakers may revisit family planning cuts; Abbott voices support for federal measure increasing child porn penalties; Hensarling chimes in on Boehner committee purge

Enlarge photo by: Tiffany Szerpicki

A dramatic day in Texas education news marked the rise of one public institution and the demise of another.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa during a Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency hearing on Sept. 21, 2011.

Your evening reading: UT System announces plans for new South Texas university; education commissioner strips El Paso ISD board of authority; Hutchison to release new book in April

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry while leaving the Republican presidential debate at Dartmouth College on Oct. 11, 2011.

A month after the election, and long after Rick Perry left the race, more behind-the-scenes details of the governor's ill-fated presidential bid continue to surface.

Enlarge photo by: Ben Philpott

Your evening reading: Perry talks tort reform, stem cells in New York; Armey says he had "serious concerns" about FreedomWorks leadership; Cornyn to leave Armed Services Committee

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One year ago, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp moved one of his vice chancellors, Frank Ashley, into a new position unlike any in the state's university systems: vice chancellor for recruitment and diversity.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Intrigue over a former Texas politician's high-profile parting with a major Tea Party group continues to build.

Enlarge photo by: Courtesy US Navy

Your evening reading: Bush calls for compassion in immigration debate; Armey leaves FreedomWorks with $8 million payout; Texas Nationalist Movement says membership has swelled

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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about big-ticket infrastructure issues — whether lawmakers will approve any of them and where they might look for money. 

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Ask the Texas public a question, and then ask the insiders in Texas politics and government the same question. The gaps are huge.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, delivers a personal privilege speech at the end of the House session on June 29, 2011.

The race for speaker of the House may have just gotten a lot more interesting.