Ethics Commissioners: Lawmakers Went Backward in 2015
That legislative session Gov. Greg Abbott sought to devote to ethics? Texas ethics regulators are far from impressed. Full Story
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![Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin and Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston, discuss language to amendment for SB #11 relating to campus carry on March 18th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Signs "Pastor Protection Act" Into Law
Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed a bill Thursday that allows clergy members to refuse to conduct marriages that violate their beliefs, said that "pastors now have the freedom to exercise their First Amendment rights." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs SB #2065 into law on June 11, 2015 joined by Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and authors of the bill Sen. Craig Estes R-Wichita Falls and Rep. Scott Sanford R-McKinney]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Deconstructing the Session: What Happened Under the Dome?
During the 84th legislative session, state lawmakers had 140 days to pass a budget and other bills they thought were priorities for Texas. In this special collaboration with Texas Standard, we look at the big takeaways from the session. Full Story
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Abbott Tries Wooing General Electric to Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott is making good on his promise to pick up where his predecessor left off, using Texas' new tax-relief package to pitch the state's business climate to Connecticut-based General Electric. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs several higher education related bills into law on June 4, 2015. He also praised state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, left, for her work in the most recent legislative session on education issues.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Deconstructing the Session: Winners and Losers
Who might be considered winners after the 84th legislative session? Who might want a do-over? Listen to our discussion in a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Deconstructing the Session: A Look at the Leaders
As the Legislature took up the budget and other important issues, the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus were put to the test multiple times. Listen to our discussion of the three leaders in a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story
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Credit: Office of the Governor -
Deconstructing the Session: Gun Issues Triggered Heavy Debate
During the 84th legislative session, lawmakers passed open carry and campus carry legislation — but not before some passionate debate. Listen to our discussion about the issues in a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story
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Credit: Erika Rich -
Deconstructing the Session: Victories for Oil and Gas Industry
It was a good legislative session for oil and gas companies and other Texas industries. A new bill makes it easier for companies to get environmental permits, and another bill targeted local efforts to regulate drilling. Listen to our discussion of these issues in a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story
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Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre -
Deconstructing the Session: Memorable Moments
Members of the 84th Legislature rode off into the sunset on June 1 leaving plenty of memorable moments in their trails. Listen to our recap of some of those moments as part of a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Water Conservation, Contract Bidding Bills Fall Victim to Abbott's Veto
Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed two more pieces of legislation in the wake of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott discusses HB40 with the press prior to its ceremonial signing in the Governor's Reception Room on May 18, 2015. The bill gives the state exclusive control over regulation of oil and gas operations, and preempting local laws against fracking.]()
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Ted Cruz Goes Hunting in the Valley of Democrats
Long used to enrapturing friendly crowds in the reddest parts of beet-red Texas, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz came to the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday with a less familiar task: finding a receptive audience in one of the state's few remaining Democratic bastions. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, holds a news conference Tuesday in Edinburg after a briefing with law enforcement officials. The 2016 presidential candidate was visiting the Rio Grande Valley for a fundraiser.]()
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Appeals Court Upholds Texas' Abortion Restrictions
In a blow to the state's abortion providers, federal appeals judges on Tuesday upheld a state law requiring nearly all Texas facilities that perform the procedure to meet hospital-like standards. Full Story
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![Abortion rights activists protest across from the governor's mansion in Austin on June 9, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Video: Straus on Dark Money, Lawmaker Disclosure
At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, enumerated what the Legislature did — and could have done — on ethics this session. Full Story
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Video: Straus on the 2016 Primaries
At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, discussed whether he'll support candidates in the 2016 primaries. Full Story
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Video: Straus on Tax Relief
At our 6/9 conversation, State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Speaker of the Texas House, talked about the billions of dollars in tax relief approved by the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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Straus: A Cautious, Conservative Session
In a wide-ranging interview with the Tribune’s Evan Smith, House Speaker Joe Straus touted the new state budget, franchise tax cuts and the Legislature’s slow but steady pace this year. Full Story
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![Speaker Joe Straus during June 9, 2015 Tribune Conversation]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: A Conversation With Joe Straus
Full video of my 6/9 conversation with state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Full Story
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Harless Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House
Weary of Republican infighting, state Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, announced Monday that she won’t seek re-election next year. Full Story
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Abbott: No Special Session on Same-Sex Marriage
Gov. Greg Abbott told a San Antonio radio station on Monday that he won't call a special session on same-sex marriage restrictions, even though conservative leaders pleaded via letter for him to do so. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Rinaldi vs. Ratliff Rematch for Texas House Seat
Bennett Ratliff will run for the Dallas-area House seat he lost to state Rep. Matt Rinaldi by just 92 votes in the 2014 GOP primary, the Coppell Republican announced Monday. Full Story
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