Peña Files Guest-Worker Bill to Address Immigration
State Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, has filed legislation he said will explore the possibility of a state-run guest-worker program. Full Story
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Texas' Next Tort Reform Battle: "Loser Pays"
Advocates say requiring the losing parties in litigation to pay their opponents’ legal fees is the cure for courts choked with the costs of “junk” lawsuits. Full Story
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Will Lawmakers Cut Their Own Benefits?
As they talk of cutting pension contributions and raising premiums for state employee health care and mandating layoffs and furloughs at state agencies, what are lawmakers doing to their own compensation and benefits? Full Story
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After Bolstering Red Tide, Tea Party Still Making Waves
Atter making their presence known during election season, the various Tea Party groups in Texas continue to steer the political agenda. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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Lights Out for Seniors, Poor
State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, is concerned about budget cuts to a program that discounts utility bills for the elderly and those with low incomes. Full Story
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Enviros to Shapiro: Don't Be a Pest
A bill filed by state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, has an unusual group turning out to education committee meetings: environmentalists. Full Story
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LiveBlog: Budget Writers Weigh Tapping Rainy Day Fund
We're liveblogging the House Appropriations Committee hearing, where lawmakers are expected to consider whether to tap into the state's Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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TribLive: Straus on the Rainy Day Fund
At today's TribLive conversation, Speaker Joe Straus stopped short of supporting the tapping of the Rainy Day Fund to cover the current biennium's $4.3 billion deficit, but he left the door open. Full Story
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Liveblog: TribLive with House Speaker Joe Straus
This morning's TribLive event is a return engagement: House Speaker Joe Straus on stage with Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith. Full Story
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Video: Lawmakers Unswayed by Pleas to Fund Family Planning Services
Hundreds rallied this week to preserve funds for Planned Parenthood's family planning services, but their pleas did not sway conservative lawmakers. “They can expect less or even zero funding for their organization this session," says state Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville. Full Story
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The Weekly TribCast: Episode 70
This week's TribCast features Evan, Reeve, Ben and Emily discussing the holdup with abortion sonogram legislation, cuts to public education, and bickering in higher education. Full Story
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New Day Rising: Four House Members on the 82nd Session
At the Tribune's New Day Rising symposium on Feb. 28, four members of the Texas House talked about the issues affecting the Hispanic community — and all Texans — during the 82nd Legislative Session. Full Story
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Family Says No Text Message Is Worth a Life
At the Capitol today, the family of a young girl who died in a car accident caused by texting and driving urged lawmakers to ban the practice. Full Story
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Craddick's Collapse Not Serious, His Office Says
Former House Speaker Tom Craddick collapsed in the Capitol this morning while laying out a bill before the House Transportation Committee. His office said EMS doesn't consider the situation serious. Full Story
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What $9.8 Billion in Public School Cuts Looks Like
School districts won't know exactly what nearly $10 billion in state cuts means to them until lawmakers pass a new school finance bill. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune takes a look at the first bill of the session that gives districts an idea of what to expect. Full Story
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What $9.8 Billion in Public School Cuts Looks Like
School districts won't know exactly what nearly $10 billion in state cuts means to them until lawmakers pass a new school finance bill. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune takes a look at the first bill of the session that gives districts an idea of what to expect. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hundreds Rally For Planned Parenthood
Hundreds rallied at the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday to protect Planned Parenthood's health and family planning services. The organization faces a firestorm of legislation from conservative lawmakers. Full Story
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Lucio: High School Athletes at Risk
State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, voiced concern for the safety of high school athletes to a House Committee on Tuesday afternoon. "I saw a few heartbreaking stories … on high school athletes that had stellar careers ahead of them," said Lucio, who has filed two bills on athletic safety. Full Story
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Students Talk Sex at the Capitol
High school and college students from across Texas came to the Capitol today to talk sex ed with lawmakers. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio speaks to youth group in Austin to advocate for more comprehensive sex education in public schools. March 8th, 2011]()
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Stubbornness, Turf War Could Hold Up Abortion Sonogram
The biggest hurdle getting an abortion sonogram bill passed this session may be good old-fashioned stubbornness. Full Story
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Credit: Daniel Lobo
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