This session, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The discussions include a renewable energy mandate and a key tax incentive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/TxTrib-SolarFarm001.JPG)
Freshman state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has been held up by some Republicans as a symbol of the party’s growing popularity with Hispanics. He says he is only motivated by the issues facing his constituents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/Villalba-2.jpg)
Weeks after Ted Cruz began building a reputation as the U.S. Senate's brashest new member, his colleagues are beginning to sound off. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8fc3a7a8e5b75b0be10f8115e565fbb2/BD%20INC%20TEd%20Cruz%20647%202012)
Vistasp M. Karbhari was named the sole finalist for president of the University of Texas at Arlington on Thursday by the University of Texas System regents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/14/Dr.-Vistasp-M.-Karbhari.jpg)
Rolando Pablos, the newest member of the Texas Public Utility Commission, announced his resignation on Thursday. His sudden departure may deal a blow to renewable-energy advocates, who counted Pablos as an ally. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Rolando-Pablos_1.jpg)
Your evening reading: Cruz gets plum speaking slot at CPAC; House may restore some education cuts; Patterson expresses support for statewide property tax Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43c50d5549eeec0811008ac77738cec6/BD%20INC%20Cruz%20End%202012)
The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday approved a measure that would require its nine campuses to offer four-year guaranteed tuition plans as an option to students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfd296f3f467aaa69cbc869c3deabf6a/BD%20INC%20Powell%202011)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson explained why he's intent on running for lieutenant governor in 2014 — regardless of whether incumbent David Dewhurst runs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Patterson-3.jpg)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson discussed the GOP's challenge in attracting Latino voters and his support for a guest worker program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Patterson-2.jpg)
Members of the Texas House are in talks to add some money to public education in the current two-year budget. The Texas Legislature cut $5.4 billion from education last session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/11/D54H1527.jpg)
On Valentine's Day, state Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, joined numerous lawmakers who have already filed bills that would extend rights to same-sex couples. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PrideFlag.jpg)
In a candid TribLive interview on Thursday, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson explained his opinions on gun control, immigration and a statewide property tax. He also evaluated his potential competition in the 2014 race for lieutenant governor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4569893530011b30e97e6ed2b227d40e/TT%20Events%20Patterson%2001%202013)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson — a passionate defender of the Second Amendment — explained his opposition to universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/PattersonJerry111CMS.jpg)
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams implored higher education leaders Thursday to engage in discussions about the state’s high school requirements. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3ff5d2e1bdfcb34fcd3f4de303aad880/BD%20INC%20Williams%20Michael%20887%202013)
Texas' founders wanted a part-time Legislature with no room for full-time politicians. But paltry state pay means today's lawmakers must hold full-time jobs elsewhere — narrowing the ranks of likely officeholders to those who can afford to do it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/13/NoIncomeLege.jpg)
Last spring, Texas ninth graders took the STAAR end-of-course exams for the first time. Use our interactive to see how each of the state's school districts performed on the new tests. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/13/Staar-Test-Data-Interactive.jpg)
At a joint meeting of the House Natural Resources and Energy committees Wednesday, legislators said that even if fracking accounts for only a small portion of the state's water use, every drop counts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Frack-Water.jpg)
In addition to the discussions of water infrastructure funding at the Capitol, an even more basic issue is also on the table: whether to restructure the Texas Water Development Board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b19e81f2c6ca03f9eaba53ff38096b16/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Waterboard%20Fraser%2001%202013)
The drawn-out sparring match between the governors of Texas and California has come to an end — for now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB8754.jpg)
State Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, filed legislation this week that would create a commission to work with neighboring states like Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma on securing water for Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Lockhart-Water-Tower.jpg)