Senators Hold Hearing on Guns in Schools
Police and educators were among those who testified before senators on Monday about how to ensure school safety and whether school employees should carry concealed handguns on campus. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte D-San Antonio, asks question during a Joint Committee Hearing on School Safety in the Senate Chamber on January 28th , 2013]()
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Hot Seat: A Conversation with Hancock and Patrick
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas at Arlington, state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, talked about public education, health care, the state budget and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
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Some Public Business Remains in the Shadows
Politicians love transparency right now — or love to talk about it. But some of their efforts at providing it aren't clear, and some that are clear aren't timely. Some public records just aren't readily available to the public. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Gay Parents Want Birth Certificate Rule Changed
Under Texas law, same-sex parents cannot both appear on an adoptive child's supplemental birth certificate. A bill authored by Rep. Rafael Anchia would change that, but opponents argue the proposal is an "attack on mothers and fathers." Full Story
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![Brian Stephens, left, and Andy Miller with their son, Clark, on Jan. 21, 2013, in Austin.]()
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Legislators Can Carry Bills That Benefit Them? Yep.
The common practice of lawmakers carrying bills or serving on committees that could directly affect their lives or livelihoods is permitted, so long as their efforts benefit all others in similar circumstances. But it still has vocal critics. Full Story
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Garcia, Alvarado Headed for Runoff in SD-6
The SD-6 grudge match between Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Democrat Sylvia Garcia, a former Harris County commissioner, is headed for a runoff. Full Story
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![State Rep. Carol Alvarado (left), D-Houston, and Former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia are among the eight candidates vying to replace the late Sen. Mario Gallegos.]()
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Bills Would Protect Gays From Employment Discrimination
Senate and House companion bills filed this session could add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity and expression" to the list of unlawful discriminatory practices in the Texas Labor Code. Full Story
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Race for SD-6 Seat Heads Toward Final Stretch
Slightly more than 8,200 voters cast their ballots during the early voting period in the special election to replace the late state Sen. Mario Gallegos. Election day is Saturday in the race, which is likely to head to a runoff. Full Story
![State Rep. Carol Alvarado (left), D-Houston, and Former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia are among the eight candidates vying to replace the late Sen. Mario Gallegos.]()
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TribLive: A Conversation with David Dewhurst
Full video of my January 24 TribLive conversation with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Full Story
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At Railroad Commission, a Push to Modernize
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming. Full Story
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![Local pumper Bobby Thomason works on cleaning up an old well that was recently worked over to start producing again on a lease in Caldwell County near Luling, January 22, 2012.]()
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Despite Counsel, Amputee Hindered by Tort Laws
Connie Spears, a double amputee, says Texas' tort reform laws obstructed her ability to find a malpractice lawyer and forced a judge to order her to pay thousands of dollars to cover some defendants’ legal bills. Full Story
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![Connie Spears had both legs amputated above her knee as a result of a misdiagnosis in the emergency room.]()
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 24, 2013
Your evening reading: state tax-break bill targets federal contraception rule; national Democrats launch Texas initiative; Texas Republicans rebuke Clinton over Benghazi testimony Full Story
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TribLive: Dewhurst on Takeaways from 2012
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about what he learned in his unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate. Full Story
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TribLive: Dewhurst on the Water Plan
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about how much it will take to jump-start the state's as-yet-unfunded water plan. Full Story
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TribLive: Dewhurst on Funding Public Education
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about whether public education funding in Texas is sufficient and where additional money might come from. Full Story
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Will Marijuana Laws in Other States Prompt Change in Texas?
Water, transportation and education are the dominant topics this legislative session, but pro-marijuana reform groups hope that recent laws passed in Colorado and Washington will sway Texas lawmakers to follow suit. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Mateusz Atroszko -
TribLive: A Conversation About Family Planning
Full video of my January 22 TribLive conversation about family planning and women's health with state Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sarah Davis, R-West University Place. Full Story
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Slow Start to Legislative Session Part of Texas Tradition
Texas lawmakers are back at work Wednesday after nearly a week off, and they’ve got about 125 days left in their 140-day session. And while it might seem like a lazy start to their biennial meeting, it is, in fact, all part of the plan. Full Story
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Lost in Translation: From Legislature to English
The Legislature has its own jargon, and it sometimes feels like members are speaking a different language. Blocker bills? WADA? Chubbing? LARS? Here's a guide — in the form of a multiple-choice quiz — to what they're saying. Full Story
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Spending Limit Could Make State's Rainy Day Fund Tougher to Tap
After years in which the state's spending limit was irrelevant, it may play a key role in budget negotiations this session, and it could make it tougher for lawmakers to tap billions of dollars in the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Caleb Bryant Miller