Texas House of Representatives

David Simpson: The TT Interview

By Evan Smith Jan. 11, 2013

On Friday afternoon, the Republican state representative from Longview talked about why he ran for speaker, the real reason he quit the race and what happens next. Full Story
Lawmakers Talk of Bold Measures This Session

By Aman Batheja Jan. 11, 2013

Momentum is growing for Texas lawmakers to commit large amounts of money to address the state's long-term infrastructure needs, particularly water and transportation. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
His Job Safe, Straus Now Faces Session's Hurdles

By Morgan Smith Jan. 11, 2013

After successfully fending off another challenge to his speakership, Joe Straus faces a tough task in the session. He will have to tackle issues that have been thorny for Republicans in the past, without further alienating the far right. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Getting a Closer Look at the Makeup of the Lege

By Ryan Murphy Jan. 11, 2013

The state Legislature is diverse in some ways and homogenous in others. Here's a look at Texas' 83rd class of lawmakers, from their employment and higher education to their age, gender and demographics. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Ryan Murphy
Bill Would Ban "Double-Dipping" by Politicians

By Jay Root Jan. 9, 2013

State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, says he’s found the perfect way for elected officials to put their money where there mouths are when it comes to exercising fiscal restraint: ban "double-dipping" by politicians. Full Story
Inside the 83rd Session: The Seating Charts

By Evan Smith Jan. 9, 2013

Use these seating charts to locate where the 150 members of the House and the 31 members of the Texas Senate sit in their respective chambers. Full Story
Slideshow: The 83rd Texas Legislature Gets Underway

By Todd Wiseman and Becca Aaronson Jan. 9, 2013

Pomp and circumstance filled the pink dome for the start of the 83rd Texas legislative session on Tuesday, and the Tribune cameras were there to capture the scenes. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Session's First Day Long on Pomp, but Leaders Also Address Priorities

By Texas Tribune Staff Jan. 9, 2013

Texas legislators started their 83rd session with leaders who want to focus on water, infrastructure, budget transparency, education — and, perhaps, some tax relief. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Video: Simpson Withdraws From Speaker's Race

By Justin Dehn Jan. 8, 2013

Saying he wasn’t certain of victory and didn’t want to put other members at risk by forcing a vote, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Watch his full comments from the House floor. Full Story
Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session

By Audrey White and Cody Permenter Jan. 8, 2013

Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared. Full Story

Credit: Greg McMullen
Inside the 83rd Session: Find Your Lawmaker

By Evan Smith Jan. 8, 2013

As 181 members of the Texas Legislature work during the 83rd session, use this application to navigate the Capitol and locate lawmakers' offices. Full Story

Credit: Texas Tribune
For the 83rd Session, An Updated Directory

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 8, 2013

The Legislature is back for the 83rd time, and we've refreshed our directory of statewide officials and legislators. Many of the old names are here, and so are the names of the numerous freshmen. Full Story
Opening Day: Chambers to Set Rules, Pick Speaker

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 8, 2013

House Speaker Joe Straus faces a challenge on the first day of the 83rd Texas Legislature, and the Senate gets another run at a rule that empowers political minorities and sometimes frustrates majorities. Full Story
(Many) Members of the 83rd Legislature on Twitter

By Evan Smith Jan. 7, 2013

Here's a list of the Twitter handles of the 120 state lawmakers who do the communications thing 140 characters at a time. Full Story
Inside Out in the House Speaker's Race

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 28, 2012

Third parties — outsiders — can't vote in the race for Speaker of the House. But the lawmakers who will actually elect the speaker next month are listening, and acting, on what's going on outside. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Bob Daemmrich / Spencer Selvidge
A Show of Strength, Either Way it Goes

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 21, 2012

A successful challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus would be a serious show of strength for outside activists. A big defeat, however, could undermine their influence just as the 2013 session begins. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Guest Column: Pleasing Some Lawmakers Some of the Time

By Mark P. Jones Dec. 18, 2012

The Texas House under Speaker Joe Straus was more conservative in 2011 than in 2009, but not as conservative as in 2003. For opposite reasons, that was good and bad news for lawmakers from both parties. Full Story

Credit: Tommy LaVergne of Rice University
Speaker Race: Simpson Praying, Hughes Staying

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 14, 2012

House Speaker Joe Straus has the votes to win reelection, according to his loyalists. But he's got a declared opponent and another in the wings, and they've got a month to work with. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Straus Says He's Ready for "Serious" Session

By Aman Batheja Dec. 12, 2012

Despite organized efforts to unseat him, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said Wednesday he is confident his colleagues will re-elect him to the post so he can focus the 2013 legislative session on “serious issues” for a fast-growing state. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Villarreal and Campbell

By Evan Smith Dec. 10, 2012

At our Hot Seat conversation at Trinity University in San Antonio, state Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, and state Sen.-elect Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, sparred about public education, health care and other issues in play in the upcoming 83rd session. Full Story