The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
In Texas, where nearly a third of all residents speak Spanish, Spanish-speaking candidates looking to win in 2014 have a political advantage with the coveted Hispanic vote regardless of political affiliation, according to political observers. Full Story
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The conclusion of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations' investigation of University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall is on the horizon, if not imminent. Full Story
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Transportation officials see emerging technologies playing a role in helping address issues like traffic safety. A new report stresses the need for the state to consider partnering with the private sector on certain initiatives. Full Story
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Efforts to ban double dipping by longtime politicians went nowhere in the last legislative session. That could change now that the two leading candidates for governor have expressed support for banning the controversial practice. Full Story
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Full video of my 12/5 TribLive conversation with Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a 2014 candidate for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a 2014 candidate for lieutenant governor, defended his decision not to release his tax returns and his plan to collect his pension while still a salaried state employee. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a 2014 candidate for lieutenant governor, accused one of his opponents, state Sen. Dan Patrick, of lying and said he'd be a "disaster" if he won the office. Full Story
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At our 12/3 Hot Seat conversation at Texas State University, state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, talked about water, transportation, public education and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
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UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry, who had missed a legislative deadline for making his appointments to the Red River Boundary Commission, announced his picks for the five-person panel on Friday. Full Story
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Some Texas Republicans would like to change a rule that allows Democrats to block bills favored by the majority of the state Senate. They have a new ally, at least on the idea: Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Full Story
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In the first ad of his campaign to unseat state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, businessman Donald Huffines slams the 22-year incumbent for being a "career politician." Full Story
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How Texas state senators rank, from liberal to conservative, based on nearly 1,000 nonlopsided votes during the regular and special legislative sessions in 2013. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry says the Mexican energy industry may solve America's immigration problems, the LCRA gets a new leader and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte signals she's running for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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What had been a private battle over whether and when a nonprofit political group has to register as a lobbyist — or list the donors to its political purse — is slowly edging toward public hearings. Full Story
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This week in the Newsreel: The voting is over for now, the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll is out, and a statewide candidate questions the loyalty of anyone who loves Texas but hates fracking. Full Story
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After months of speculation, two Democratic candidates have emerged to campaign for the contested Senate District 10 seat Sen. Wendy Davis has vacated to run for governor. Libby Willis and Mike Martinez have officially entered the race. Full Story
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After his part in the federal government shutdown, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is still very popular with Texas Republicans and remains their top pick in the 2016 presidential pack, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer believes that the investigation into whether a University of Texas System regent should be impeached could require a look at UT regents' personal computers, iPads and smartphones. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The vote on water and other constitutional amendments is days away, Todd Staples jabs at Dan Patrick and Democrats start testing Ted Cruz's popularity with independent voters. Full Story
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Full video of my 10/31 TribLive conversation with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, a 2014 candidate for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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