The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, discussed whether Tuesday's primaries were a referendum on Speaker of the House Joe Straus. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, and the Department of Public Safety are sending a reminder message to Texas law enforcement agencies: They must follow a new state law requiring them to report their backlog of untested rape kits. Full Story
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State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, filed papers saying he will run for speaker of the House in January, setting up another challenge for House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
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Full video of my May 24 TribLive conversation with state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas. Full Story
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State Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Southlake, is in a tight race against Giovanni Capriglione, a public equity manager running against her for the second time. Throughout the race, she has played up her image as a tough fighter. Full Story
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A lot of people are rooting for David Dewhurst in the race for U.S. Senate — some because it would create a top political job opening in Texas. What if he loses? It would spoil a lot of ambitions. Full Story
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Does the John Carona-Dan Patrick spat help either senator's hopes of becoming the next lieutenant governor? Full Story
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The Patrick-Carona feud, and a list of people facing very tough career reviews this month. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, discussed his opposition to Gov. Rick Perry's anti-tax pledge, which he says is "disrespectful" to the "adults" in the Legislature. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, explained why it's okay for a "committed conservative" to host fundraisers for and give money to Democrats. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, defended — and expanded on — his now-infamous comments about state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Full Story
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The two crowded primary races for the Texas Railroad Commission could be headed for runoffs, as candidates try to win attention from voters who haven't tuned in to those contests. Full Story
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Houston trial lawyer Steve Mostyn, Texas' largest single contributor to Democrats in 2010, is pouring money into a GOP primary race, targeting state Senate hopeful Larry Taylor. Full Story
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Congressional District 35 runs from Austin to San Antonio. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, that means candidates — including longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett — must weigh the concerns of various constituencies in their bids for the seat. Full Story
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Elizabeth Ames Jones, a candidate in SD-25, has filed her response to a defamation suit filed against her by incumbent state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio. Her campaign calls his suit "frivolous and politically-inspired." Full Story
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It's great to have experienced leaders on hand to help run the Legislature. But it's also great — at least from a leader's perspective — to have some openings to offer to potential supporters. Full Story
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At our Hot Seat conversation at Angelo State University, state Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, and state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other by-products of the 82nd Session. Full Story
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State Rep. Chuck Hopson, R-Jacksonville, faces a tough road to re-election in the redrawn HD-11. Some constituents are calling GOP primary challenger Travis Clardy the conservative alternative in the race. Full Story
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For the latest nonscientific survey of politics and government insiders, we asked about several hotly contested Democratic primaries for Congress, and we threw in a question about the email volleys roiling the Texas Senate. Full Story
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Former Railroad Commissioner and Senate District 25 hopeful Elizabeth Ames Jones on Monday released a television ad accusing incumbent state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, of ethical lapses. Full Story
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