Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn't finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35f551ae2dd8fa9ce46d84adc9a9cf8f/BD%20INC%20Empty%20Chamber%2001%202011)
First two items on the call from Gov. Rick Perry: The "non-revenue" and school finance bill, and the Medicaid reforms that were in SB 23. That's where we start, and the governor can add as we go. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA9930.jpg)
Republican members of the Texas House reflected on the end of the regular session late Monday. Speaker Joe Straus praised lawmakers for showing "great discipline" and focus, while GOP Caucus Chair Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, warned Democrats they made a "bad strategic" move by pushing for a special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Straus2XCMS.jpg)
Both the House and Senate have adjourned sine die. But without a school finance deal in the Senate, Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call a special session for 8 a.m. Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/33dfe13b698d8a69566a77330fbc5170/BD%20INC%20Repiblican%2001%202011)
Texas Democrats, unhappy with the GOP budget, discussed possible strategies today for the coming special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Farrar_.png)
Republican skepticism about public education spending joined with the governor’s determination to hold the line on spending, including on public education, is likely to carry the day — whether it takes a few hours or 30 more days. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfe4a1b06dd444f7b59d22921adbf75a/BD%20ICN%20Turner%2001%202011)
House and Senate Democrats said today a special session would bring transparency to the school finance process and a greater awareness of how the deep funding cuts to government services will affect Texans' daily lives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB0253.jpg)
Your afternoon reading: special session strategy; House Democrats take aim at Straus; texting ban goes to the governor Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA0023.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry remarked Monday on the passing of former Texas Gov. William "Bill" Clements Jr. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/PerryLooks.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry talked this morning about the late-night filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, that kept the upper chamber from voting on SB 1811, a critical piece of the budget puzzle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/PerryMemPress_1.png)
A Democrat's last stand may have just pushed the legislative session, set to end today, into overtime — which could start as soon as tomorrow. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c14e96f6d4eb7a4cd35d4544cc41b076/BD%20INC%20Filibuster%20Davis%2001%202011)
Several members of the Legislature bucked their parties Saturday night in voting for or against the state budget. In their own words, here's why. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7db8b940a0ca6b1af26f3ce9c488aaff/BD%20INC%20Voting%20Board%20CMS%202011)
Lawmakers were hoping to get out of Austin with their business done, without the prospect of a special session this summer. Fat chance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c538973fb062ef9bb5673e3578c9f565/BD%20INC%20Davis%20Stop%20CMS%202011)
For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked some questions about the governor's flirtation with a presidential run and about the Legislature's decision not to take on congressional redistricting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/inside_intelligence-logo_1.png){kind=logo}
As the 82nd regular session comes to a close, we pause a moment to remember some of the more notable statements of the last 140 days. And we invite you to join us by taking a special quiz we've created to commemorate the occasion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/341cdd68dcf9d9162f3f9bc2a7447c09/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Quote%20Match%2001%202011)
He served as a metaphor for Texas in transition. From the boom and bust of the oil industry to the state’s political makeover, he personified the changes that occurred during his lifetime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e6440d4bbe2aea873b269f35b09ad585/BD%20INC%20Clements%20Painted%20Portrait%2001%202011)
It simultaneously looks as though they will finish on time and as though they'll come to pieces, forcing a special session. Full Story
This session we have seen an all out assault on women's health driven by the erroneous assumption that family planning is synonymous with abortion. Full Story
Former Texas Gov. William "Bill" Clements Jr., 94, who broke the Democratic Party's century-long hold on the Governor's Mansion with his election in 1978, died Sunday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24f97b484fc61063a1274f46f1dfac50/BD%20INC%20Captiol%20221%20NYT%202011)
With less than two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers set out to pay for the budget by passing SB 1811. Without it, the budget doesn't balance and lawmakers will be forced to come back in a special session. It passed in the House, but was undone by a Senate filibuster. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/97658ea005856f78598a6826c42c8e72/BD%20ICN%20Walle%2001%202011)