"It was not my choice to depart at this time," says the controversial higher education reformer, whose hiring by the University of Texas System Board of Regents sparked an outcry at the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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The Senate today approved creation of the Texas Energy Policy Council, which would be in charge of planning a long-term strategy for potential exploration and production of both renewable and nonrenewable energy. Full Story
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A bill passed by the Senate today would let the El Paso County Hospital District directly employ medical professionals to compensate for the severe shortage in the area. Full Story
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Your afternoon reading: Democrats' chances in 2012; Obama's testy Texas interview; gay politics on Christian campuses Full Story
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Craft beer brewers came back to the Capitol today to ask lawmakers to grant them another way to get their beers in the hands of customers. But the chairman of a House committee said they may have to wait until next year. Full Story
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Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV was one of four TV stations to interview President Barack Obama. Toward the end, the president got testy with reporter Brad Watson. Full Story
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Two bills passed the state Senate today that would change the way mentally and physically disabled people and children are restrained and cared for by law enforcement officers. Full Story
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Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program could transition to a performance-based, rather than procedure-based, payment model, under bills the Senate unanimously passed today. Full Story
A proposed map for redrawing Texas House district boundaries could help fortify the Republicans' majority in the lower chamber in 2012. Full Story
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Implementing a key piece of federal health care reform in Texas — something Gov. Rick Perry has expressed his firm opposition to — may be back on the table. Full Story
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Senate leaders on Monday delivered one of their strongest attacks yet on the House's stark budget proposal. Full Story
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Solving the state's 2012-13 budget woes is a hard job and perhaps the best way to show that is to let you decide for yourself how the $27 billion shortfall should be closed. Use our interactive budget shortfall app to see what you're willing to give up to close the gap. Full Story
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Frustrated state employees continue to search for help — and answers — after the comptroller's office accidentally left sensitive personal data on an open server for anyone to see. Full Story
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It doesn’t include a “sick tax.” But the Senate version of the state’s 2012-13 budget still takes direct aim at hospitals, in an effort to find hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings and narrow the state’s revenue gap. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, reacts to the proposed split of his current district. Full Story
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Three years ago I interviewed the apparent 2012 Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate — then a retired lieutenant general hawking a memoir — for Texas Monthly. You can read the nearly 2,700-word Q&A here. Full Story
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In a press release today, the Texas College Republicans said they were "stunned" by the actions of a member of the Texas Senate: Steve Ogden, R-Bryan. Full Story
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As the clock counts down to the end of the regular session on May 30, it’s fair to ask House and Senate leaders — and all members — to meet our needs, not our wants. Here's how they can bridge the multi-billion-dollar gap between their budget plans without any new taxes. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was unwilling to distance himself from controversial remarks about Planned Parenthood by his colleague, U.S. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona. Full Story
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The former chairman of a state forensic board applauded the current commissioners' report on the arson investigation used to convict Cameron Todd Willingham, but said he's deeply concerned that politics stymied their ability to take a stronger stance. Full Story
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