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All Coverage

  • Branch: Higher Ed Cuts Unavoidable

    By Elise Hu

    As state leaders grapple with a budget shortfall that could be as high as $27 billion, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who chaired the House Higher Education Committee in 2009, offers up some possible cuts to higher education. Full Story 

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  • Slideshow: The First Day

    By Reeve Hamilton

    Opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session was heavy on pomp and circumstance and light on substance. But, amid the hand shaking and picture taking and protesting Tea Partiers, there was business to be done. Full Story 

    The Capital at dawn opening day of the 82nd legislative session on January 11, 2011.
    Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

  • He Sells Sanctuary

    By Elise Hu

    Gov. Rick Perry has designated the elimination of "sanctuary city" policies as one of the 82nd legislative session's emergency items — but as the Tribune has noted repeatedly in the last year, the state's in no position to throw stones. Full Story 

    Perry Speaks on the First Day of Session 2011
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

  • Dropping a Dime

    By Brandi Grissom

    Texas prisoners have made and received more than 4.7 million telephone calls and sent and received 1.8 million e-mails since 2009, when the state became the last in the nation to allow inmates phone and e-mail use. But all those calls and messages haven’t generated the amount of revenue the state expected. The issue is balancing greater access for prisoners and their friends and family and the need to ensure security. Full Story 

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    Credit: Todd Wiseman

  • Dream Deferred?

    By Erika Aguilar, KUT News

    College students who would have benefited from federal passage of the DREAM Act, which would have provided a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrants, are turning their attention to the Texas Legislature. As Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, protesters rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday against a number of immigration bills lawmakers will consider. Full Story 

    Demonstrators march through the streets of downtown Dallas in 2010 to protest the passage of Arizona's controversial new immigration law.
    Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

  • TribBlog: Doggett Pops Perry on Education

    By Evan Smith

    On the letters page of Wednesday's New York Times, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, slams Gov. Rick Perry for failing to take $830 million in federal money that Perry and other Republicans complained had strings attached but that Doggett says would have prevented "anti-education 'smoke and mirrors' budgeting" by the state. Full Story 

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  • HuTube: Behind the Scenes on Day One

    By Elise Hu

    In our latest HuTube video blog post, we take you to the Texas House on day one of the 82nd Legislative session. Come with us as we go through the new security system, visit with lawmakers and witness the election of the House Speaker. Full Story 

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  • TribBlog: Hispanic Democrats: Lege "Chasing Ghosts"

    By Julián Aguilar

    Hispanic members of the Texas House responded swiftly to Gov. Rick Perry designating abolishing "sanctuary" cities a legislative emergency. “Instead of leading us through a $27 billion dollar budget shortfall that is poised to cripple our schools, our communities and the public health system, we are chasing ghosts,” said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Full Story 

    Perry Speaks on the First Day of Session 2011
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

  • Paxton Bows Out

    By Justin Dehn

    State Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, speaks on the opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session about his withdrawal from the race for Texas House Speaker. Full Story 

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  • TribBlog: Steady Medi(caid)

    By Becca Aaronson

    Thirteen states expanded Medicaid or CHIP eligibility last year, and 14 states made improvements in enrollment and renewal procedures. Texas didn't fall into either of these categories, but the state held steady in 2010, while making improvements in technology to prepare for the roll-out of federal health care reform. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Jacob Villanueva

  • TribBlog: The First Non-Vote

    By Reeve Hamilton

    After winning a rough and tumble contest for his seat, freshman state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, got his first chance at a record vote in the Texas House of Representatives today. And when that vote finally came, what did he do? He abstained. Full Story 

    State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • TribBlog: Straus in the House

    By Emily Ramshaw

    The Texas House formally re-elected San Antonio Republican Speaker Joe Straus. By acclamation, they chose to stick with the moderate, "will-of-the-House" speaker as opposed to overthrowing him with someone more conservative. Full Story 

    Wallace Jefferson swearing in Joe Straus at the 82nd Legislative Session.
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

  • TribBlog: Chisum Supports Straus

    By Ross Ramsey

    State Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, is dropping his challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus and will vote for the incumbent when the House convenes later today, he said in a letter released this morning. Full Story 

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    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Decision Time

    By Ross Ramsey

    The Texas Legislature today starts its 140-day effort to puzzle out a massive budget deficit, political redistricting, immigration and a slew of other gnarly problems. The budget issues came into focus Monday with new numbers from the comptroller, who says the state is recovering, slowly, from the recession. But first, legislators will get organized, voting on new rules, a new Speaker, and getting sworn in. Full Story 

    House Speaker Joe Straus, R-Alamo Heights, in January 2011.
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera