Extra Cash Should Go to Paying Debt, Otto Says
State Rep. John Otto wants a constitutional amendment requiring that excess cash in the state's Rainy Day Fund be used to pay off state debt early. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
In Last Hurrah, Perry Encourages Compromise
In what some saw as a tune-up for his next presidential bid, Gov. Rick Perry bade farewell to lawmakers with a rhetorical highlights reel of his record-setting tenure. Full Story
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![Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Musk: Texas a "Leading Candidate" to Host Hyperloop Test Track
Entrepreneur Elon Musk said Thursday that Texas is in the driver's seat for a test track for a transportation system known as the Hyperloop. He also said that a SpaceX facility wouldn't have been built in Texas without economic incentives. Full Story
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![Elon Musk, the CEO and of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, spoke at the Texas Transportation Forum in Austin on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Activists Line Up to Support Openly Carrying Guns
Gun rights groups lined up at a press conference on Thursday to voice support for legislation that would allow Texans to openly carry handguns without a license. Full Story
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Lt. Gov.-Elect Taps Business Leaders for New Advisory Board
Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick said Thursday he had appointed a 55-member special council made up of business and industry leaders in the state to provide recommendations to lawmakers throughout the legislative session. Full Story
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![Reporters listen as Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick announces the creation of an advisory council on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Judge Hears Arguments in Immigration Policy Case
UPDATED: A judge heard arguments Thursday on a request to halt a White House immigration policy that could affect hundreds of thousands of Texans living in the country illegally. The judge did not indicate when he would make a ruling. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott speaking on Dec. 3, 2014, about the lawsuit filed by Texas and other states against the Obama administration over immigration policy.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Marc Veasey Sees a Future for Texas Democrats
Prospects for Democrats in Texas might seem grim at the moment, but from his Washington perch, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey thinks things will turn his party's way. Eventually. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Forth Worth Democrat, in his D.C. office.]()
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The Brief: Jan. 15, 2015
Gov. Rick Perry will close the door on 30 years of state government work with a farewell address Thursday afternoon to the Legislature. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Greg Abbott Gives Back 21CT Campaign Donation
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott's office has confirmed that he returned a $10,000 campaign contribution from the CEO of the beleaguered company at the center of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission contracting woes. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Dream Act Supporters Rally Against Efforts to Repeal Law
During a rally at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, supporters of the Texas Dream Act said they were ready to challenge any efforts this legislative session to repeal the 2001 law. Full Story
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Credit: Anneke Paterson -
TribCast: The Start of the 84th Legislative Session
Reeve, Evan, Emily and Ross discuss the first day of session, the results of the speaker's race, the tactics of some open carry advocates, the biennial revenue estimate, and what happens when lawmakers mention Hitler on Twitter. Full Story
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Commissioner Gets Cupcake Policy Wrong, Combs Says
When Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller granted amnesty to cupcakes on Monday, he pointed out that state rules that once banned such treats from classrooms were repealed last summer. But cupcakes have been allowed for a decade. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Obama's Methane Plan: Why It Matters for Texas
On Wednesday, the Obama administration announced another major plan to combat climate change that aims to slash emissions of methane gas in the next decade by almost a half. Here’s why that’s a big deal for Texas. Full Story
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![Workers with Bee Cave Drilling install a jackhammer bit on the drilling rig while putting in a water well on a private lot in Spicewood, Texas on February 6, 2012.]()
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Video: A Conversation With Three New House Members
Full video of my 1/14 conversation with three new members of the Texas House: Celia Israel, D-Austin; Linda Koop, R-Dallas; and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving. Full Story
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Straus Aims to Expand Authority for House Investigations
When members debate the proposed rules for the House on Thursday, they'll discuss a plan from House Speaker Joe Straus to expand one committee's jurisdiction in investigating state agencies and practices. Full Story
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T-Squared: The 84th Lege, at Your Fingertips
As excited as we are about the start of the 84th session, we’re equally pumped to roll out our brand new 84th Lege page — a comprehensive and convenient portal to all of your Texas legislative needs. Full Story
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Introducing the Texas Legislative Guide
Adding to our robust suite of Texas legislative tools, we've rolled out our Texas Legislative Guide — complete with an upgraded bill tracker and curated lists of the must-watch issues of the session across nearly a dozen different policy areas. Full Story
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Amid Health Commission Contracting Fallout, Abbott Calls for Review
UPDATED: Gov.-elect Greg Abbott announced Wednesday the creation of an independent "strike force" to review the state's largest health agency, specifically how it awards contracts to private vendors. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Slideshow: Day One of the 84th Legislature
On the first day of the 84th Legislature, state lawmakers were sworn into office amidst family and friends. Afterwards, the House re-elected Joe Straus speaker, while the Senate made Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa president pro tempore. Full Story
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![Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and his daughter, Carolyn, on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Meet Your 84th Texas Legislature: White. Male. Middle-Aged. Christian.
What does the Texas Legislature look like? A lot like this, according to a Tribune analysis of demographics under the Pink Dome. While the makeup of the Lege is changing by the session, it remains out of whack with the Texas population. Full Story
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