Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, moves away from the podium after moving to briefly postpone discussion on SB1 the budget bill on June 9, 2011.

Your evening reading: uncertainty lingers over budget deal as votes loom; dispute over innocence commission bill threatens to derail other legislation; UT regent nominees grilled at hearing

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry leaves the House chamber after speaking and visiting with members on May 13, 2013.

With a budget deal struck, the spotlight now shifts to Gov. Rick Perry.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, reacts to a reporter's questions about a quote by Governor Rick Perry on budget talks on May 17, 2013.

Your evening reading: budget deal reached; Gonzalez says she'll seek re-election; debate over end-of-life bill gets personal

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Another day of seesaw negotiations over the state budget ended without a deal, but an agreement — once again — appears within reach.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Appropriations Chairman State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, l, listens as State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, grills state auditors on CPRIT matters on Feb. 6, 2013

Your evening reading: budget negotiations back in limbo; Perry signs Michael Morton Act; senator says Kitzman unlikely to win confirmation

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Paul Hudson

A day after a budget breakthrough appeared imminent, negotiations were thrown back into limbo.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, during a Senate Finance committee hearing on Feb. 5, 2013

Your evening reading: Abbott urges groups to contact him if they were targeted by IRS; Gohmert rips Holder at hearing; Dewhurst calls for investigation of abortion provider

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

The chamber of the Texas House

Days after a stalemate threatened to force lawmakers into legislative overtime, chances of a special session for the state budget have dwindled.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury on Sept. 5, 2012.

Your evening reading: campus carry bill clears Senate committee; House budget chief says leaders close on water, education deal; Cornyn video on border deaths sparks debate  

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, watches from the sidelines as debate continues on SB 1 on April 4, 2013.

With the end of the session drawing near, a possible crack in the budget stalemate has emerged.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Rep. Jim Pitts R-Waxahachie, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, listens to Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer D-San Antonio on February 11th, 2013

Your evening reading: budget negotiators reach agreement, but big items still unresolved; CPRIT funding tentatively restored; Perry calls IRS audit scandal "un-American at best"

Enlarge photo by: Matthew C. Wright

With about two weeks left in the session, comity in the Capitol is showing signs of fraying.

Enlarge photo by: Mike Stone / Bay Area News

A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.

Your evening reading: criminal investigation launched into West blast; Cornyn, Texas Republicans blast Obama administration over IRS admission; House rejects Senate's version of testing overhaul

Enlarge photo by: Phil Roeder

After President Obama's visit to Austin put Texas in the spotlight on Thursday, attention turned back to the state Capitol, where a major deadline loomed.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

President Obama after landing in Austin on May 9, 2013.

Your evening reading: Obama praises Austin during swing through city; Abbott says spending limit includes Rainy Day Fund; Cruz makes stand at immigration hearing