When it came to passing major ethics reforms that would have increased transparency for elected officials, the 83rd Legislature didn't make much headway. Lawmakers, it seems, didn't have the appetite for increased public disclosure. Full Story
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With redistricting inching along, lawmakers are pushing for a little more special session drama. Full Story
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Your evening reading: redistricting field hearings announced; Republican consultant fighting ethics bill; House adjourns until June 17 Full Story
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Those hoping for a quick special session may be disappointed. As lawmakers learned last week, there's nothing quick or easy about redistricting. Full Story
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The chairman of the House Redistricting Committee has announced that lawmakers will hold hearings on the state's voting maps over the next two weeks in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Full Story
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Megan Winfrey spent six years behind bars before she was acquitted of murder. Now, she is hoping to help solve the mystery of who brutally killed school janitor Murray Burr in 2004. Full Story
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The comptroller's announcement that she won't seek re-election prompted a flurry of declarations of interest, which in turn prompted other flurries, and so on. In the minds of Texas politicians, it's already 2014. Full Story
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The scorching heat of Texas' past two summers is sure to return this year, but according to a new forecast from the state electric grid's meteorologist, some parts of the state, like East Texas, are likely to fare better than others. Full Story
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The state's decision to stop using CSCOPE is a victory for activists who say the lesson plans advanced an anti-American agenda. But small rural districts that relied on it say they'll now have to spend scarce funds on new materials. Full Story
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A subdued start to the special session has shifted attention back to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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Megan Winfrey spent six years — nearly all of the 25-year-old's adult life — behind bars before she was acquitted of murder. She faces the colossal challenge of starting her life without compensation for the years she lost in prison. Full Story
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No sooner did lawmakers gavel out the 83rd regular session than Gov. Rick Perry called them back for a special session. So this week's news-inspired playlist starts with "Stay a Little Longer," by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
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Root considers Rick Perry’s next move, Rocha and Dehn take a fast look back at the regular session, KUT’s Philpott on the return of redistricting, Murphy’s interactive look at 40 years of special sessions, Aaronson on calls for conservative issues in the special session, M. Smith on the education bills in front of the governor, Ramshaw on the fate of transparency legislation, E. Smith’s TribLive review of the Senate’s session, Hamilton finds the work of UT regents undisturbed by the session, Galbraith on new obstacles for water planning, Batheja reports on a revived search for highway money, and Aguilar on increasing numbers of naturalized citizens: The best of our best for the week of May 27-31, 2013. Full Story
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