The latest Texas House of Representatives news from The Texas Tribune.
Speaker Joe Straus defended the House's redistricting work and said they'll continue their legal fight after a second Republican — Bill Zedler of Arlington — joined Democratic inquiries about how Straus' staff handled those political maps in 2011. Full Story
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The new state representative for the Rio Grande Valley's House District 41 on his unusual path to office, what he hopes to accomplish before his re-election bid in November and how he's approaching the general election. Full Story
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Leaders of homeless service programs on Monday addressed a joint hearing of a House appropriations subcommittee and the Urban Affairs Committee, saying any funding cuts would hinder their ability to provide services. Full Story
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At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas at Tyler, state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, and state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, discussed the 82nd Legislative Session and looked ahead to the 83rd. Full Story
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A top Democratic leader in the Texas House, in a letter Wednesday, accused staffers in House Speaker Joe Straus' office of leading discriminatory conduct that got the Texas redistricting maps thrown out. Full Story
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John Higgins, a top aide to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington, is under criminal investigation for alleged improprieties related to travel reimbursements he got from the state, a prosecutor told the Tribune on Friday. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus has appointed two top aides, one from his current staff and another from outside. Full Story
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus called on lawmakers Monday to start figuring out how to stop diverting billions of dollars in dedicated taxes and fees that are being used to balance state budgets. Full Story
Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Texas House, by committee, to see who's got what clout on what subject. Choose a committee and the map highlights the district of each member and, in a different color, the home districts of the chairs, vice chairs and co-chairs. Full Story
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Corporations and unions can play in politics, but complete disclosures are not required. A corporate political campaign in Texas two years ago was unusual, featuring an unknown corporation that was open about what it was doing. Full Story
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When legislators die or resign, their seat is filled through a special election. The new representative serves out the end of the old representative's term. Full Story
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Races for speaker of the House are based on relationships. How does that work when there are so many freshmen and sophomore members in the House? Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, discussed the prospect of a Speaker's race leading up to the 2013 legislative session. Full Story
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State Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena, has passed away, according to the House speaker's office. He was 54. Full Story
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State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, filed papers saying he will run for speaker of the House in January, setting up another challenge for House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
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State Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Southlake, is in a tight race against Giovanni Capriglione, a public equity manager running against her for the second time. Throughout the race, she has played up her image as a tough fighter. Full Story
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The Patrick-Carona feud, and a list of people facing very tough career reviews this month. Full Story
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It's great to have experienced leaders on hand to help run the Legislature. But it's also great — at least from a leader's perspective — to have some openings to offer to potential supporters. Full Story
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Usually, the political establishment is more or less united, with major trade groups and major officeholders sticking with incumbents and, more importantly, sticking with one another. Not this year. Full Story
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The endorsements just keep on rolling in... Full Story
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