After minimal discussion, a panel of lawmakers on Thursday set a $7 billion minimum balance for the Rainy Day Fund. The action facilitated a $1.7 billion appropriation for roads funding and also helps establish parameters for budget writers next session. 

The Sunset Advisory Commission on Wednesday recommended that lawmakers consolidate the state's five health services agencies into a single entity.

State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, filed legislation this week that would cap college tuition and tie future growth to the rate of inflation, a clear rebuff of tuition deregulation enacted by GOP lawmakers in the early part of last decade.

State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, won a five-way race on Saturday to replace Comptroller-elect Glenn Hegar in the Texas Senate. Next up: a special election to fill the vacancy in the House caused by her departure. Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski has already said she plans to run for the seat.

In his Meet the Press debut, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott declined to state a preference among the emerging field of Republican candidates who would compete for the 2016 presidential nomination.