Dewhurst's Run to the Right Falls Short
David Dewhurst, the state's lieutenant governor for the past decade, started this legislative session looking for some momentous conservative victories. He's still looking. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Liveblog: What's Left for the 83rd Legislature
The clock is ticking for lawmakers hard at work to pass prize bills in the final days of the 83rd legislative session. Here's a look at what's still outstanding. Check back often: We'll update this story as deals are brokered or broken. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: How'd the House Do?
Full video of my 5/23 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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For Perry, Veto is a Seasonal Power
Who is really in power in state government? According to the calendar, the clout is days away from moving firmly to the governor's office. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Perry Condemns Decision to Admit Openly Gay Scouts
UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry has condemned the decision by Boy Scouts of America's national leadership on Thursday to admit openly gay scouts. Full Story
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Agenda Texas: Constitutional Slowdown
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Budget negotiators may have hit another speed bump, and we answer your questions about the session. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House Halts Attempt to Expand Lawmakers' Gun Rights
Many self-proclaimed gun enthusiasts in the Texas House aren't ready to expand their own gun rights if they can't do the same for their constituents. Full Story
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TribLive: Branch on the 2014 AG Race
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, addressed the rumors that he plans to run for attorney general in 2014. Full Story
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TribLive: Branch and Martinez Fischer on Medicaid
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, talked about the Legislature's resistance to expanding Medicaid. Full Story
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Will Lawmakers Save the Railroad Commission?
UPDATED: If lawmakers don't do something quickly, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas in the state, could disappear. Full Story
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TribLive: Branch and TMF on Transportation
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, talked about why the Legislature has made so little progress on transportation funding — and what happens now. Full Story
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Budget Agreement Leaves About $8 Billion in Fund
The budget deal that took a step closer to passage Wednesday evening would spend $3.9 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund. That would leave more in the fund than many lawmakers or Gov. Rick Perry had earlier proposed. Full Story
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Higher Ed Graduations Increase, Board Finds
Texas public universities awarded more than 50,000 bachelor’s degrees in spring 2013, an increase of more than 5,000 from 2012, according to preliminary data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Full Story
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State Equal Pay Act Survives the Senate
House Bill 950, by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, a measure designed to prevent pay discrimination against women, narrowly passed the upper chamber with a vote of 17-14 on Wednesday. Full Story
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Eiland Won't Seek Re-election
State Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, will not seek re-election, he announced in a tearful personal privilege speech on the House floor on Wednesday night. Full Story
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House, Senate Pass Bills Key to Budget Deal
UPDATED: After days of jockeying and one-upsmanship, the Texas House and Senate each approved measures Wednesday evening critical to passing their next two-year budget. Full Story
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An Expensive Celebration, Courtesy of the Lobby
End-of-session dinners are commonplace for legislative committees at the end of the session, and they can be lavish affairs. One this week cost more than $22,000. Full Story
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School Marshal Bill Headed for Governor's Desk
The Senate on Wednesday gave its approval to House Bill 1009, which would allow school districts to designate certain employees to carry concealed weapons and serve as school marshals. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
With Humor and Temper, Carona Plays the Maverick
Sen. John Carona remains a political maverick in the Texas Legislature, willing to stand alone in policy fights and raise money for Democrats, despite conservative grassroots pressure to conform to stricter ideology. Full Story
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Clock Runs Out on Bill Requiring Drug Testing for State Benefits
UPDATED: The Texas House allowed the clock to run out Tuesday night on Senate Bill 11, an initiative that would have created a drug testing regimen for some welfare benefits. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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