David Muto

Your afternoon reading: Perry says he’ll “think about” running for president; 5 p.m. deadline for school finance deal; Dan Patrick announces exploratory committee for U.S. Senate

In a change of pace, things have taken a decidedly, ahem, prurient turn in the closing days of the legislative session.

Your afternoon reading: radio host says Perry’s running for president; Democrats predict strong showing in U.S. Senate race; budget negotiators pass $15 billion in cuts

Tense budget negotiations continued Wednesday, but it didn’t take long for an airport “groping” ban, an ensuing rowdy protest and vicious political sniping to steal some of the spotlight.

Your afternoon reading: Perry wants lawmakers, not courts, to draw congressional maps; Simpson blocks salvia bill; Texas vs. feds fight centers on a lizard

One of the state budget’s most notoriously complicated components has lawmakers — just five days from the finish line — clamoring for a fix.

Your afternoon reading: congressional redistricting dead; Perry signs abortion sonogram bill (again); GOP 2012 hopefuls court the Bushes

After days of stop-and-go budget negotiations, lawmakers may have just inched closer to a special session.

Your afternoon reading: deal reached on education funding; another blow for sanctuary cities legislation; anti-bullying bill sent to governor’s desk

A deal’s been struck, but with just a week to go, lawmakers still have to piece together the budget puzzle.