Senate Preserves Two-Thirds Rule
Senators approved a new set of rules for the session on Wednesday that will allow a third of the Senate to continue to have the power to keep bills from coming up for a vote. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst swears in Sen. Leticia Van de Putte as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate on Jan. 8, 2013, the first day of the 83rd legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribCast: Beginning of the Legislative Session
Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the opening days of the new legislative session, including the comptroller's revenue estimate, the re-election of Speaker Joe Straus and the priorities of the leadership. Full Story
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Dewhurst, Straus, Perry See Opportunity to Take Up Tax Relief in Session
In a joint appearance Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus seemed to agree that taxes would go down. Meanwhile, none would commit to restoring education cuts from last session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside the 83rd Session: The Seating Charts
Use these seating charts to locate where the 150 members of the House and the 31 members of the Texas Senate sit in their respective chambers. Full Story
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Slideshow: The 83rd Texas Legislature Gets Underway
Pomp and circumstance filled the pink dome for the start of the 83rd Texas legislative session on Tuesday, and the Tribune cameras were there to capture the scenes. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
UT-Austin Names Center for Former Gov. Bill Clements
The University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday is announcing its new William P. Clements Jr. Center on History, Strategy and Statecraft, named for the former governor of Texas. Full Story
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State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students
When it comes to choice in education, some legislators are thinking about more than school vouchers. Lawmakers representing West Texas will be filing proposals that would allow students to choose career paths that benefit local industries. Full Story
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Session's First Day Long on Pomp, but Leaders Also Address Priorities
Texas legislators started their 83rd session with leaders who want to focus on water, infrastructure, budget transparency, education — and, perhaps, some tax relief. Full Story
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![The senators of the 83rd legislative session were sworn in Jan. 8, 2013, the first day of the session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Jan. 9, 2013
Gov. Rick Perry injected a note of caution into the otherwise low-drama first day of the 83rd Legislature. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst listen to Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, on Jan. 8, 2013, the opening day of the 83rd legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
As Oil and Gas Booms, Town Hopes for Transformation
Even a surging local economy, aided by the oil and gas industry, hasn't spared the coastal town of Port Lavaca from the pain of state budget cuts, which have hit local schools especially hard. Full Story
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LCRA Approves Water Plan Likely to Cut Off Rice Farmers
The Lower Colorado River Authority's board of directors on Tuesday unanimously approved an emergency plan that could cut off water for most rice farmers downstream to protect supplies for the city of Austin. Full Story
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Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session
Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Straus re-elected after Simpson withdraws; Dewhurst says Senate will keep two-thirds rule; Perry cautions lawmakers against spending budget surplus Full Story
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Dewhurst Says Senate Will Maintain Two-Thirds Rule
The contentious rule that allows a minority of senators to block legislation is again under fire, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the two-thirds rule will continue in the Senate for another session. Full Story
![The senators of the 83rd legislative session were sworn in Jan. 8, 2013, the first day of the session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
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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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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![The first floor of the Texas Capitol.]()
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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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