The latest Texas House of Representatives news from The Texas Tribune.
This morning on Austin's KXAN-TV, state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, and that "compassionate young fella," state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, discussed adoption by same-sex couples — and whether there's a difference between "transvestite" and "transgender." Full Story
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At today's TribLive conversation, Speaker Joe Straus stopped short of supporting the tapping of the Rainy Day Fund to cover the current biennium's $4.3 billion deficit, but he left the door open. Full Story
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At the Tribune's New Day Rising symposium on Feb. 28, four members of the Texas House talked about the issues affecting the Hispanic community — and all Texans — during the 82nd Legislative Session. Full Story
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At the Capitol today, the family of a young girl who died in a car accident caused by texting and driving urged lawmakers to ban the practice. Full Story
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The biggest hurdle getting an abortion sonogram bill passed this session may be good old-fashioned stubbornness. Full Story
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In the House, what starts with substance — abortion sonogram legislation, in this case — often ends with procedure. Full Story
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You don't need a new map to find the political trouble spots in Texas — and by trouble, we mean officeholders who are vulnerable in the redistricting process. Full Story
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Tonight, the Texas House took on another of the issues that Gov. Rick Perry has designated an emergency: sanctuary cities, or cities where police do not enforce federal immigration laws. Full Story
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On Wednesday night, the LBJ Future Forum presented a conversation with six members of the Texas House about the future of Texas. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly moderated. Full Story
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The 82nd legislative session will be about halfway over by the time lawmakers on a specially appointed committee decide whether Republican Dan Neil or incumbent state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, won the disputed HD-48 seat. Full Story
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Last Wednesday, I sat down with three first-term members of the Texas House — Stefani Carter, R-Dallas; Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite; and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie — to talk about their first weeks in office. Full Story
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At last Wednesday's TribLive conversation, first-term House members Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, talked about whether the Legislature should dip into the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the size of the projected budget shortfall. Full Story
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At last Wednesday's TribLive conversation, first-term House member Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, explained why she voted against Speaker Joe Straus. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, talked about losing the North Texas Tea Party's "approved" status after she voted for Straus. And Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, weighed in on his own vote for Straus. Full Story
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Nothing scares the good men and women of state agencies more than one word: Sunset. But where did the Sunset Commission get its name? Full Story
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Would you recognize state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, if he passed you on the street? Could you pick state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, out of a lineup? How well do you know the faces of other Texas elected officials? Test your knowledge by playing this simple, addictive game. Full Story
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Rep. Donna Howard won the HD-48 seat by four votes over Republican Dan Neil, according to state Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas. Hartnett was appointed to investigate their election after Neil challenged the results. Full Story
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This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Reeve, and Ben mulling over the State of the State, the new House committee assignments, and the politics of abortion. Full Story
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Speaker Joe Straus appointed members to committees today, shuffling the assignments in a Texas House where one in four members is a freshman and where Republicans have a two-to-one numerical advantage. Full Story
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After three days of testimony and today's closing arguments, state Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, is expected to recommend a winner of the disputed HD-48 seat on Friday. Full Story
The chairman of the House Public Education Committee on whether the Rainy Day Fund should be used, in part or in whole, to reduce the size of the budget shortfall. Full Story
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