Searching for Clues in Perry's State of the State
The governor stayed away from social issues and some obvious hot-button topics in his State of the State speech this week. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a political speech. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Ethics Reform: A Long, Tortured History
From Gov. James "Pa" Ferguson's impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists. Full Story
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![A portrait of power in Texas in 1970: House Speaker Gus Mutscher, Governor Preston Smith, former president Lyndon Johnson, and Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes, at "Gus Mutscher Day" in Brenham, August 17, 1970.]()
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Bill Would Clarify End-of-Life Treatment for Terminally Ill
The families of terminally ill patients would receive more time to find a willing medical provider for their relative and get more help through difficult end-of-life legal processes under a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Deuell. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams and Pitts on Public Ed Funding
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about how the school finance litigation affects the debate over public education funding. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams and Pitts on Medicaid
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, discussed what the state should do about its exploding Medicaid obligations. Full Story
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Bills Aim to Stop Diverting Funds Meant for State Parks
Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
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Pitts and Williams Say School Funding Debate Can Wait
Ongoing school finance litigation will likely prevent the Legislature from discussing education funding issues this session, two Republican budget leaders said at a TribLive event Thursday. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams and Pitts on the Rainy Day Fund
At Thursday morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about the possibility of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Straus Makes House Committee Assignments
House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature's lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills. Here's his list. Full Story
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Lawmakers Seek Cash to Fix Roads Hit by Drilling
As lawmakers look for a way to fix infrastructure crumbling under the weight of a drilling boom, talk of reducing the tax money that feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund is drawing attention. Full Story
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Senators Take On Health Care Costs, Medicaid Expansion
Texas budget writers got a briefing on the state’s health care programs Wednesday, and the biggest questions focused on how the state can reduce fraud and what to do about ever-increasing health care costs. Full Story
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Legislative Notebook — Week 2
Lawmakers are still in the “fixin’ to” stage of the session taking a week off after a week on the job — not unusual in the years when presidents are being inaugurated — but the wheels are turning. Full Story
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Interactive Map: Senate Committees by Districts of Sitting Members
The members of the Texas Senate have been placed in their committees, but where in the state do the committee members come from? Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Senate. Full Story
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Video: Democrats Respond to Gov. Perry's State of the State Address
Texas Democratic legislators respond to Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address on Tuesday. Full Story
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Video: State of the State Address
Full video of Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address. Full Story
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Livestream: Perry's 2013 State of the State Address
Gov. Rick Perry delivers his seventh State of the State address today, telling the 83rd Legislature — and the rest of us — what's on his mind and what he hopes state lawmakers will accomplish before the end of the regular session. Watch live starting at 11 a.m. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Ben Hasson -
Before Changing Chairs, Ethics Commission to Renew a Debate
The Texas Ethics Commission’s board convenes Thursday to choose new leadership for 2013. But before that happens, its commissioners will review an ethics opinion they did not agree on two months ago. Full Story
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Business Association Launches Criminal Justice Agenda
The Texas Association of Business, the state's largest business lobby, is adding criminal justice reform to its agenda for the first time. The association says reducing the prison population and increasing the workforce makes business sense. Full Story
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Governor Readies State of the State Address No. 7
For the seventh time since he became governor in 2000, Gov. Rick Perry will appear before a joint session of the Texas Senate and House on Tuesday to deliver his biennial State of the State speech. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
For Most Texans, Session Means Following Along From Afar
Living close to the capital city, Central Texans have relatively easy access to state lawmakers during the biennial legislative session. But in a state as big as Texas, most of the state's population must follow the action from up to hundreds of miles away. Full Story
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![Inside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 8, 2013, the opening day of the 83rd Legislative session]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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