Texas House of Representatives

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
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
For Speaker, a Different Kind of Challenge

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 4, 2012

House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has at least one opponent in his bid for a third term in that job, but the circumstances that undid his predecessors in the post don't exist now. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Lawmakers' Bills Target Perceived Overreach by Federal Government

By Nick Swartsell Dec. 4, 2012

Two bills filed by lawmakers recently seek to restrict the actions of federal agencies in Texas. Lawmakers say the bills are meant to stand up for Texans' freedom, but federal agencies say practices targeted by the bills keep people safe. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Trevor McGoldrick / Lotus Carroll
Simpson, Tea Party Favorite, Considers Challenge to Speaker

By Evan Smith and Jay Root Dec. 3, 2012

State Rep. David Simpson of Longview, a Republican who rode to office with heavy Tea Party support two years ago, is considering a run for Texas House speaker against incumbent Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
TribLive: A Conversation with Three New House Members

By Evan Smith Nov. 20, 2012

Full video of my 11/19 TribLive conversation with three incoming state representatives: Republicans Cecil Bell Jr. and Giovanni Capriglione and Democrat Mary Gonzalez. Full Story
TribLive: New State Reps. on Public Education

By Evan Smith Nov. 19, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, incoming state Reps. Cecil Bell Jr., Giovanni Capriglione and Mary Gonzalez talked about school finance, standardized testing and the prospect of school choice legislation in the 83rd Session. Full Story
Guest Column: The Case for Joe Straus

By Lyle Larson Nov. 16, 2012

Larson: The conservative House has a conservative speaker, and there's no reason to change leaders. Full Story
You've Got Mail, Mr. Speaker

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 16, 2012

The letters dribbling into House Speaker Joe Straus' mailbox raise questions about the House's redistricting last session, but that's just a way for his rivals to raise questions about his leadership. Full Story

Credit: Lisa Krantz