State Rep. Farias Won't Seek Another Term in the House
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Farias announces his retirement in front of the Texas House on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Education Chief Aycock Will Not Seek Re-election
When the Texas Legislature tackles a long overdue overhaul of the state’s school finance system, it will have to do without the lawmaker who has shepherded its two chambers through complex education issues for the last two sessions. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock bids farewell to the Texas House in a speech on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Storify: The Last Day of the 84th Legislative Session
The 84th Legislative Session is wrapping up today. Here's a selection of what journalists, lawmakers and others shared on social media, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on the last day of the 84th session June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Despite Early Momentum, Immigration Bills Fall Flat
Though campaign promises to enact immigration-enforcement measures and repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students didn't see the light of day, Republicans who championed the measures said they'll be back next session to try again. Full Story
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![Texas Association of Business CEO Bill Hammond, speaks in favor of HB 1403 which was passed in 2001 and grants all Texans in-state college tuition regardless of immigration status on April 13th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Lawmaker Trivia: How Well Do You Know Your State Legislators?
You've spent the last five months with them — but how well do you really know Texas' state legislators? Take our House and Senate trivia quizzes to find out. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
In Texas, a Collapse of Ethics Reform
When the gavel comes down on the legislative session on Monday, lawmakers will have failed to pass into law about two dozen different proposals aimed at curbing conflicts of interest and shining light into the dark corners of the Capitol. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivering his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Small Visions, Small Results in Session
Texas lawmakers started the legislative session without a list of big problems to solve or election mandates to fulfill. And they are ending it without the kinds of results that fill the history books. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: June 1, 2015
The 84th Legislature closes the books on its 140-day regular session today. As the Tribune's Ross Ramsey writes, it isn't one for the history books. Full Story
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![View of the Texas House floor during the budget debate on House Bill 1 on May 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers Approve Abbott's University Recruitment Fund
Two bills passed Sunday would eliminate the Emerging Technology Fund and create an initiative to attract Nobel Prize winners to Texas universities. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott leaves the House dais after delivering his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Chambers Settle Railroad Commission Squabble
The Railroad Commission of Texas is set to go under intense legislative scrutiny next session after all, under an agreement by state House and Senate lawmakers. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Abbott Signals He'll Sign Cannabis Oil Bill
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing at the Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center in Austin on May 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Roundup: Budget, Gun Bills Crowd Abbott's Desk
In the Roundup: With the budget passed, lawmakers shifted their attention in the final weekend of the 84th Legislature to guns – sending bills to Gov. Greg Abbott that change how and where you can carry a handgun. Full Story
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Credit: Chris Daemmrich -
Hays County Groundwater Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — following an emotional week of political drama over the issue. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the floor of the House on May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Lawmakers Approve A-F Grades for Public Schools
A controversial plan to start assigning public schools A-through-F grades cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature on Sunday. Full Story
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Effort to Tighten Spending Cap Dies With House, Senate Far Apart
The state’s constitutional spending cap will remain untouched this session, and House and Senate leaders are blaming each other for the lack of action on the arcane but politically important measure. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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Grand Jury Reform Legislation Headed to Abbott's Desk
Legislation that reforms the state's grand jury system now awaits Gov. Greg Abbott's signature after the House on Sunday approved a compromise between the two chambers. Full Story
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Campus Carry Bill Heads to Abbott
Legislation requiring the state’s public universities to allow handguns in dorms, classrooms and campus buildings is now one step away from becoming law after a final vote to approve it in the Texas House on Sunday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress, during gun bills debates on April 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Teens Win One, Lose One
Lawmakers have decided to stop treating truant students like criminals, sending them to adult court where they face possible jail time for skipping school. But 17-year-old criminal offenders will still enter the adult court system. Full Story
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![Detainees line up to leave the outdoor recreation area at the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center in Austin on June 24, 2013.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: The Last Days of the 84th
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the focus turns to the end of the 84th Legislative session: It all ends Monday, but will it end with a bang or a whimper? Full Story
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![WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with (l-r) host Jason Whitely, Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy.]()
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Huffman Stands by Push for "Spousal Loophole"
State Sen. Joan Huffman is facing criticism after authoring a measure allowing elected officials and bureaucrats to disclose less information about their spouses' property and financial activity. She says the change was needed to clarify an “unclear” Texas Ethics Commission rule. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera