After Positive Economic News, Push for Tax Cuts Emerges
Texas lawmakers may have $29 billion more to spend on the state budget this session than they did in 2011. Now, Gov. Rick Perry is floating the idea of tax cuts. Full Story
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Dewhurst: Set Money Aside for School Lawsuits
In a wide-ranging interview, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about the state budget, education, immigration, water, transportation, and his hopes and plans for the legislative session that began this week. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 10, 2013
With lawmakers' plans for the legislative session still taking shape, state leaders on Wednesday touted one issue they've already made a priority: lowering taxes. Full Story
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Dewhurst, Straus, Perry See Opportunity to Take Up Tax Relief in Session
In a joint appearance Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus seemed to agree that taxes would go down. Meanwhile, none would commit to restoring education cuts from last session. Full Story
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Session's First Day Long on Pomp, but Leaders Also Address Priorities
Texas legislators started their 83rd session with leaders who want to focus on water, infrastructure, budget transparency, education — and, perhaps, some tax relief. Full Story
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![The senators of the 83rd legislative session were sworn in Jan. 8, 2013, the first day of the session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Slideshow: The 83rd Legislature Gets Under Way
Pomp and circumstance filled the pink dome for the start of the 83rd Texas legislative session on Tuesday, and the Tribune cameras were there to capture the scenes. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 9, 2013
Gov. Rick Perry injected a note of caution into the otherwise low-drama first day of the 83rd Legislature. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst listen to Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, on Jan. 8, 2013, the opening day of the 83rd legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Session Opener Packed a Few Surprises
On day one of the 83rd Legislature, the House Speaker's race turned out not to be much of a competition, and an unexpected event forced Gov. Perry to pause during his remarks to the Senate. Full Story
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Video: Simpson Withdraws From Speaker's Race
Saying he wasn’t certain of victory and didn’t want to put other members at risk by forcing a vote, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Watch his full comments from the House floor. Full Story
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Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session
Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared. Full Story
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Dewhurst Says Senate Will Maintain Two-Thirds Rule
The contentious rule that allows a minority of senators to block legislation is again under fire, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the two-thirds rule will continue in the Senate for another session. Full Story
![The senators of the 83rd legislative session were sworn in Jan. 8, 2013, the first day of the session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Straus Re-elected House Speaker by Acclamation
House Speaker Joe Straus won another term in that position after his challenger, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race. Full Story
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For the 83rd Session, An Updated Directory
The Legislature is back for the 83rd time, and we've refreshed our directory of statewide officials and legislators. Many of the old names are here, and so are the names of the numerous freshmen. Full Story
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Opening Day: Chambers to Set Rules, Pick Speaker
House Speaker Joe Straus faces a challenge on the first day of the 83rd Texas Legislature, and the Senate gets another run at a rule that empowers political minorities and sometimes frustrates majorities. Full Story
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Watch the 83rd Legislative Session Live
Can’t get enough of the Texas Lege? Starting Tuesday, you’ll be able to view live video streams of the House and Senate on The Texas Tribune whenever the chambers are in session. The House and Senate convene at noon CST. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 7, 2013
Your evening reading: Combs delivers improved state budget news; Huffman to lead Senate Republican Caucus; Cornyn calls Hagel "profoundly wrong" on national security issues Full Story
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Host of Issues Awaits Texas Lawmakers
With the 83rd Texas legislative session beginning Tuesday, Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune looks at the priorities and challenges facing legislators as they head into the 140-day lawmaking scramble. Full Story
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New Legislature Faces a New Set of Priorities
With improving fiscal conditions and redistricting in the rearview, lawmakers are approaching 2013 with pressing policy questions, from whether to introduce private school vouchers to whether to implement key provisions of federal health reform. Full Story
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Once Again, Legislating Will Interrupt Politicking
It feels like the 2013 legislative session, which gets under way Tuesday, is a five-month interruption of the election season. At some point, elections expanded to fill all of the space between the biennial sessions. Full Story
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State Officials Seek End to Federal Election Oversight
The U.S. Supreme Court may determine the fate of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that became an Achilles' heel for Republican lawmakers this year. That could free Texas from federal oversight in election laws. Full Story
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Credit: Tamir Kalifa
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