Former Railroad Commissioner Michael Wiliams, who announced his intention back in January to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, is likely to drop out of that race and instead run for a newly created congressional seat, multiple sources tell the Tribune. Full Story
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Your afternoon reading: congressional map proposal to change, leader says; Cruz nets key endorsement for U.S. Senate; highlights from the 82nd legislative session Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Justice Nathan Hecht sent lawmakers a letter Wednesday urging them to find $20 million during the special session to help needy people access civil courts. Full Story
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The Senate Finance Committee — for the second time — has passed out measures designed to make Medicaid more efficient and effective, and to open the door for medical professions and institutions to collaborate. Full Story
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Early in the session, there was much talk about how the time was right to invest in new university campus facilities. But a bill to issue bonds to get projects off the ground never managed to do so itself. Could it get another chance in the special session? Full Story
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The Trib's multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.) Full Story
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Hypothetically speaking, of course, what does a special session mean for Rick Perry's presidential hopes? Full Story
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In the end, a late-night filibuster in the Senate killed school finance for the regular session. But SB 1581’s earlier crash-and-burn in the House is an odyssey worth revisiting as lawmakers take up the issue in their special session. Full Story
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A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last week upholding an Arizona law that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants may give Texas lawmakers some newfound momentum to file immigration-related legislation. Full Story
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In this week's episode, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the end of the regular session, the start of the special session, and what it all means for Sen. Wendy Davis, Gov. Rick Perry and others. Full Story
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Your afternoon reading: veto override eyed for Amazon bill; health care dominating special session legislation; bill targeting abortion-inducing drug filed Full Story
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With health care front and center in Gov. Rick Perry's special session call, lawmakers have already filed several key bills addressing multiple issues, from state efforts to seize control of Medicaid and Medicare to abortion. Full Story
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A subdued first day of the special session disguised a brewing Republican show of legislative force. Full Story
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There’s a sort of collective disbelief within the Texas political establishment about Republican Gov. Rick Perry testing the uncertain waters of a presidential campaign. But if critics have learned nothing else about Perry, they should know this: Underestimate him at your peril. Full Story
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Under a new congressional redistricting map, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, would lose 60,000 constituents who voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune talked with Doggett about the proposal, which the congressman said "plunged a dagger into the heart" of Travis County. Full Story
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Not only is there finally a congressional map in legislative form, but Gov. Rick Perry has added that to the list of issues lawmakers will address during the special session. Hearings on the new map have been set for Friday. Full Story
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It would be impossible to overstate the degree to which Matt Stiles has been responsible for our success in our first 18-plus months — which is why we're sorry to see him go. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday touted the accomplishments of the regular session: cutting the state budget without raising taxes or tapping the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Rep. Rob Eissler has filed his mandate relief bill, and while it doesn't lift the class-size ratio, it virtually ensures a school district would recieve a waiver from the requirement upon request — as long as that wouldn't result in more than 25 students in a classroom, a district-wide average of more than 22 students per class, or "negatively affect the education of students." Full Story
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A bill that seeks to ban “sanctuary cities” in Texas has been filed for the special session of the Legislature that began today. Full Story
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