Straus Re-elected House Speaker by Acclamation
House Speaker Joe Straus won another term in that position after his challenger, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry: Don't Start Making Plans to Spend Surplus
Gov. Rick Perry warned Texas lawmakers not to start making grand plans for the multibillion-dollar budget surplus and the growing Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Land Board Votes to Transfer $300 Million to School Fund
The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The funds had been caught in a standoff between the Legislature and the board, whose members include Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. Full Story
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![Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson discusses Texas historical records that document early immigrants like Davy Crockett and Stephen F. Austin.]()
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Inside the 83rd Session: Find Your Lawmaker
As 181 members of the Texas Legislature work during the 83rd session, use this application to navigate the Capitol and locate lawmakers' offices. Full Story
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T-Squared: One Site Fits All
Starting today, the Tribune is a "responsive" website, meaning it automatically resizes to whatever device you're on — and looks damn good doing it. Full Story
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For the 83rd Session, An Updated Directory
The Legislature is back for the 83rd time, and we've refreshed our directory of statewide officials and legislators. Many of the old names are here, and so are the names of the numerous freshmen. Full Story
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Watch the 83rd Legislative Session Live
Can’t get enough of the Texas Lege? Starting Tuesday, you’ll be able to view live video streams of the House and Senate on The Texas Tribune whenever the chambers are in session. The House and Senate convene at noon CST. Full Story
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Opening Day: Chambers to Set Rules, Pick Speaker
House Speaker Joe Straus faces a challenge on the first day of the 83rd Texas Legislature, and the Senate gets another run at a rule that empowers political minorities and sometimes frustrates majorities. Full Story
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State of Mind: Coastal Texans Push to Reform Windstorm Insurance
Texas' coastal residents say repeat hikes in premiums by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association have pushed them to rally for change. One coastal lawmaker is preparing to file legislation that would overhaul TWIA. Full Story
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Community College May Not Lower Price of Degree, Report Says
According to a new report, students who try to save money on bachelor's degrees by beginning at community colleges tend to borrow as often and as much as their counterparts who begin at a four-year university. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 8, 2013
Buoyed by positive economic news, the Legislature rides back into town today, with a daunting list of priorities in tow. Full Story
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HHSC: New Women's Health Program Has Enough Providers
The Health and Human Services Commission says the Texas Women’s Health Program has a greater capacity to serve impoverished women than its predecessor, a joint state-federal program that ended after the state excluded clinics affiliated with abortion providers. Full Story
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![Nicole Griffis, nurse practitioner, consults with a patient at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Austin, Texas.]()
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 7, 2013
Your evening reading: Combs delivers improved state budget news; Huffman to lead Senate Republican Caucus; Cornyn calls Hagel "profoundly wrong" on national security issues Full Story
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Report: $18 Billion Spent on Federal Immigration Enforcement
A new report estimates that the federal government spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement efforts in fiscal year 2012, about 24 percent more than it spent on all major law enforcement agencies combined. Full Story
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(Many) Members of the 83rd Legislature on Twitter
Here's a list of the Twitter handles of the 120 state lawmakers who do the communications thing 140 characters at a time. Full Story
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Combs Says Texas Lawmakers Will Have $101.4 Billion for Budget
A day before the start of the 2013 legislative session, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs delivered much-improved budget news compared with two years ago. Lawmakers will have $101.4 billion for their next two-year budget. Full Story
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State of Mind: Fighting to Restore Health Care Cuts
Doctors in the Rio Grande Valley are leading the charge to restore cuts to Medicaid in the last session. They want lawmakers to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid benefits add up to 100 percent of dual-eligible patients' bills. They're expecting a fight. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn / Todd Wiseman -
T-Squared: A Bit of Housekeeping
The most observant Trib fans may have already noticed: There are some small-to-the-eye but big-for-the-site changes to how we organize news and information. Full Story
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Panama Canal Expansion Will Be Boon for Texas Exports, Report Says
An upcoming expansion of the Panama Canal will boost Texas exports but not do as much for imports, according to a report commissioned by the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
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Host of Issues Awaits Texas Lawmakers
With the 83rd Texas legislative session beginning Tuesday, Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune looks at the priorities and challenges facing legislators as they head into the 140-day lawmaking scramble. Full Story
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Credit: Elise Hu
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