Texas Legislature

The Weekly TribCast: Episode 114

By Reeve Hamilton Jan. 11, 2012

Evan, Ross, Emily and Reeve analyze the New Hampshire primary results, consider what lies ahead for Rick Perry, and get updates on abortion sonograms and redistricting. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
If Courts Take More Time, So Will Primaries

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 11, 2012

If the federal courts don't come up with political maps in the next three weeks, Texas probably won't be able to hold primary elections on April 3. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Judges: Texas Can Enforce Sonogram Law Now

By Emily Ramshaw Jan. 10, 2012

A panel of federal appellate judges has authorized Texas officials to enforce a controversial abortion sonogram law while its constitutionality is being challenged in court. Full Story
The Redistricting Arguments, and Who Made Them

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 10, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Perez v. Perry, the current Texas redistricting case. Some selected quotes — some from judges, some from lawyers — follow. Full Story

Credit: Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court Mulls Another Delay of State's Primaries

By Matt Largey, KUT News Jan. 10, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a case that could determine what Texas’ legislative and congressional districts look like. Matt Largey of KUT News reports from Washington, D.C. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Supreme Court Hears Texas Redistricting Case

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 9, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about Texas redistricting today and now must decide whether the state's primaries must be delayed to buy time for the courts to approve new maps. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Politicus Interruptus

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 5, 2012

The bet here is that the U.S. Supreme Court wouldn't have taken the Texas redistricting case if they thought it was a good idea to hold elections using the San Antonio court's plan. If it was, why issue a stay, set arguments, and risk delaying the primaries? Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Texas Payday Lenders Face New Rules, Scrutiny

By Thanh Tan Jan. 5, 2012

Payday lenders are about to come under the microscope — the result of new laws designed to curb predatory lending and prevent a cycle of "debt and dependency." Full Story

Credit: James Malone
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Eiland and Taylor

By Evan Smith Jan. 4, 2012

At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on 12/14, state Reps. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session. Full Story
Mike Jackson: The TT Interview

By Reeve Hamilton Jan. 4, 2012

The president pro tempore of the Texas Senate on what it was like to be second in line to run the Lone Star State when Gov. Rick Perry was out on the campaign trail. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Texas Primaries Await Supreme Court Ruling

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 4, 2012

Federal judges will have to move quickly if Texas is going to hold primary elections on April 3. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
What Will 2012 Hold for Politics, Policy and Perry?

By Texas Tribune Staff Jan. 1, 2012

Texans will close out 2011 with more questions than answers, from the outcomes of redistricting and Gov. Rick Perry's presidential bid to the effects of lawmakers' multibillion-dollar budget cuts. Here’s hoping 2012 brings some resolution. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
TribYear: (Some of) Our Best Stories of 2011

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 31, 2011

In the spirit of TribWeek and TribMonth, we present TribYear. Ten of our best stories of 2011. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 112

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 28, 2011

Our annual must-listen, year-in-review spectacular featuring some of the TribCast's most memorable intros, guests, topics, and outtakes from 2011. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Updated: 10 Most-Read Stories of 2011: Perry, UT and TSA Groping

By Brandi Grissom and Niran Babalola Dec. 27, 2011

With 2011 winding down, we take a look back at the stories our readers liked best, judging by the number of pageviews they received. Full Story
Some Elections Depend on Who Draws the Lines

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 26, 2011

For some candidates, the 2012 elections will be decided in court. Full Story
Texas Counties Object to April 3 Primaries

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 21, 2011

In papers filed in federal court today, officials who administer the state's elections said the April 3 primaries — agreed to by the Democratic and Republican parties and ordered by a panel of federal judges — create an impossible situation. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Chris Chang
Courting Voter Confusion

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 19, 2011

The election experts in the room were a beehive of nonverbal communication. Their reaction was on their faces: “Is this a drill? They’re kidding, right?” Full Story
Inside Intelligence: About Splitting Primaries...

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 19, 2011

For this week's nonscientific survey of governmental and political insiders, we asked about the mess with the Texas primaries — whether split primaries are a good idea and who might benefit. Full Story
Updated: Political Parties Agree to April 3 Primaries

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 16, 2011

Texas Democrats and Republicans agreed to hold unified primary elections on April 3, avoiding the costs and confusion brought on by litigation over new political maps for congressional and legislative districts. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman