The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, a group formed in 2011 in opposition to controversial reform efforts, fired off an angry letter to University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall on Tuesday. Full Story
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A bill by state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would restore dedicated funds to a state agency that has helped recover 1.6 million stolen vehicles in Texas. In recent years, lawmakers diverted the funds to help balance the state budget. Full Story
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Details of a sweeping federal immigration reform bill emerged Tuesday. The plan includes a path to citizenship that lasts more than a decade, beefed-up border security and an expanded visa system. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about one of the thorniest issues at the intersection of politics and government: redistricting. Full Story
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Despite Gov. Rick Perry remaining strongly opposed to expanding Medicaid, a House panel on Tuesday considered legislation that would expand coverage to poor adults under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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The state's Rainy Day Fund should be kept as insurance against real financial downturns. If the state needs money for water programs, it should get that money by cutting other programs that are less important. Full Story
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It's proper to use the state's Rainy Day Fund for a $2 billion water plan, but it isn't necessary until 2015, and using it now would force lawmakers to bust the constitutional cap on budget growth. Full Story
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The Rainy Day Fund has been used for public education before and should be used for it now — to reverse drastic cuts made in education spending during the 2011 legislative session. Full Story
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Using the Rainy Day Fund now will help address the state's water needs and keep general state spending on water down for decades to come. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hit the Sunday talk shows to discuss an immigration reform plan that he said would not provide amnesty. In Texas, a strong majority of Texans oppose a comprehensive overhaul, with the "pathway to citizenship" a likely stumbling block. Full Story
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The state Senate last week voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that would expand the number of charter school licenses in Texas, but the bill faces challenges in the House — and strong opposition from some teachers' groups. Full Story
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In Texas, private lawyers can receive millions of dollars for winning big lawsuits filed on behalf of counties against companies that pollute. But state lawmakers may soon put an end to that. Full Story
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With the death this weekend of Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, Texas Republicans lost one of their stalwarts, and one of their biggest and most reliable donors. So did a few Democrats. Full Story
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After initial hopes of harmony on immigration reforms in both Austin and Washington, Texas lawmakers are holding back and Texans in Washington are taking opposing tacks on border security. Full Story
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A new report out Tuesday urges lawmakers to reduce penalties for prostitution and send more defendants to diversion and intervention programs. Advocates argue it will save the state money. Full Story
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With the legislative clock starting to tick, Gov. Rick Perry on Monday tasked state lawmakers with business tax relief. Full Story
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: A guide to the week ahead in the Legislature, which is set to debate bills on guns in schools and the Texas Ethics Commission. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry calls for $1.6 billion in business tax relief; George P. Bush jabs at Obama in new campaign video; Perry launches ad campaign targeting Illinois businesses Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry unveiled a four-point, $1.6 billion business tax relief plan Monday that includes an across-the-board rate reduction of the business franchise tax. Full Story
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UPDATED: The Texas Senate on Monday approved legislation that aims to tackle Medicaid fraud. Full Story
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