Senators Hope to Revive Plan to Fund Roads
A plan to fund Texas highway construction by diverting half of the money that currently feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund could find new life in a special session. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Hails Water Bill, is Evasive on His Future
Gov. Rick Perry signed a major water infrastructure bill into law on May 28. Speaking to reporters afterward, he remained coy about his political future and wouldn't say if he will add any items to the special session agenda. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 4, which lays the foundation for Texas' future water needs. He is joined by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay on May 28, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The 83rd Lege's Regular Session: What Happened and What Didn't
Lawmakers raced to get several bills passed before the 83rd Legislature's regular session ended. And with Monday's announcement of a special session, their work isn't done. Here's a look at the deals reached and the measures that fell short in the regular session. Full Story
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Interactive: Bills Sent to the Governor's Office
Hundreds of bills that have been signed by both the House and the Senate are arriving at Gov. Rick Perry's office. Use our interactive to see which measures he has signed, which he has vetoed and which have become law without his signature. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Lawmaker Transparency Bills Got Little Traction
Lawmakers talked a big game about improving transparency this session, but when push came to shove, they did next to nothing to advance it. Full Story
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This Session, Lawmakers Put Down Their Swords
If Texas’ less-than-theatrical 83rd legislative session is remembered at all, it will be known for accords, not discord. Here's a look at top storylines from this session and what they could portend for the future. Full Story
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For Perry, Veto is a Seasonal Power
Who is really in power in state government? According to the calendar, the clout is days away from moving firmly to the governor's office. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Altered Fixed-Tuition Bill Heads to Conference Committee
UPDATED: House Higher Education Dan Branch, R-Dallas, has opted not to concur with significant changes made by the Senate to a bill requiring universities to offer incoming students optional four-year fixed tuition plans. Full Story
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![The Texas Tribune Festival 2012 Opening Session: A conversation with Gov. Rick Perry and Evan Smith, Sept. 21, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Budget Agreement Leaves About $8 Billion in Fund
The budget deal that took a step closer to passage Wednesday evening would spend $3.9 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund. That would leave more in the fund than many lawmakers or Gov. Rick Perry had earlier proposed. Full Story
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Ahead of Perry Decision, Abbott's Campaign Already in Motion
Gov. Rick Perry hasn’t yet said whether he’s running for re-election — but Attorney General Greg Abbott doesn't appear to be waiting for him to make up his mind. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Health Care Hecklers Meet With Perry
UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry met with three health care activists who helped organize a protest of his speech before Austin business leaders Wednesday. Both sides said the meeting was cordial, though there were no breakthroughs. Full Story
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Credit: Alana Rocha -
A Green Light for Lawmakers' Pension Hikes, Double Dipping
UPDATED: State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, again attempted to add a measure decoupling legislators' pensions from judges' pay. But the amendment to Senate Bill 1459 was defeated Tuesday. Full Story
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Cause of West Explosion Remains Unclear
The cause of the West fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people on April 17 has been ruled “undetermined,” officials announced at a press conference in the town's high school parking lot on Thursday. Full Story
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![State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy spoke during the West press conference at West High School and announced that the cause of the explosion is still undetermined.]()
Credit: Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor -
Interactive: Tracking Franchise Tax Bills
Tax relief has become a key issue in the final weeks of the legislative session, and nearly all of the relief efforts are focused on the franchise tax paid by businesses. Use our interactive to track the status of those bills. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Video: Perry Calls Obama's Visit to Austin "Wise"
President Obama said Thursday that Austin was the perfect spot to kick off his "Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity" tour because the city was doing so many things right economically. Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, said he couldn't agree more. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Perry Seeking Tax Relief That Texans Can Feel
While Texas voters grumble more about property taxes than the state's franchise tax on businesses, Gov. Rick Perry is focusing on the latter. Full Story
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Reform of Emerging Technology Fund Clears House Hurdle
Top elected officials wouldn't decide who gets state commercialization grants under a bill that got an early OK in the House. The bill is aimed at alleviating concerns that friends of Rick Perry have been getting preferential treatment. Full Story
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UIL: Disqualified Student Didn't Make Religious Gesture
UPDATED: The University Interscholastic League has determined that a student's disqualification from a track meet had everything to do with the athlete's disrespectful behavior and nothing to do with his religious beliefs. Full Story
![The Texas Tribune Festival 2012 Opening Session: A conversation with Gov. Rick Perry and Evan Smith, Sept. 21, 2012.]()
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Texas Weekly Newsreel: Money, Explosions and Deadlines
In the latest Newsreel: The House fights over whether and how to tap the Rainy Day Fund, lawmakers hold hearings on the explosion in West and Gov. Rick Perry says there is plenty of time left in this session to get things done. Full Story
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University Looks to Land Spot in Drone Program
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, with the support of the governor's office, is applying to the FAA to become part of a program that aims to significantly expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi engineering student Adam Ersepke and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza prepare for the take off of the University’s RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, for a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal
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