The Brief: Jan. 30, 2015
In a week where the news was driven to a large degree by rallies on the Capitol grounds — from open carry activists to anti-Muslim protesters — it's perhaps fitting that the week closes with another one. Full Story
The latest Dan Patrick news from The Texas Tribune.
In a week where the news was driven to a large degree by rallies on the Capitol grounds — from open carry activists to anti-Muslim protesters — it's perhaps fitting that the week closes with another one. Full Story
Allowing concealed weapons to be carried on college and university campuses would create "less safe" environments, University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven wrote in a letter to legislative leaders on Thursday. Full Story
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gave the green light Wednesday on a push for open carry legislation in the Senate, a day after he indicated in a Texas Tribune interview that the votes weren't there for passage. Full Story
The session has barely begun, and the prospect of a new law allowing Texans to openly carry handguns first appeared to be inevitable, then dead, then alive again. Oddly, it's the idea's supporters who keep scrambling its political fate. Full Story
A judge's decision on Tuesday not to dismiss two indictments against Rick Perry has both legal and political implications. Full Story
At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about why open carry legislation isn't necessarily going to pass in the 84th session. Full Story
At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about vouchers — and whether the 84th session's outcome on the issue might differ from that of the 83rd. Full Story
Nearly two weeks after the House's base budget was released, Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson presented the Senate's plan, which she said sets aside $3 billion for "meaningful" property tax relief for Texas homeowners. Full Story
At our 1/27 conversation, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talked about the possibility of tax relief as a component of the budget that will be passed by the 84th Legislature. Full Story
Full video of my 1/27 conversation with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who talked about the change in Senate rules, vouchers, tax relief, transportation funding, open carry and more. Full Story
Guns were a big topic of conversation inside the Capitol and outside of it on Monday. Full Story
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has formed a new advisory board to focus on border security, education reform and tax relief. Its members? Tea Party leaders from across the state. Full Story
The Tribune's Abby Livingston has the details on how Rick Perry spent the rest of his weekend in Iowa following his high-profile appearance at Saturday's Iowa Freedom Summit. Full Story
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the personal styles of Texas' new governor and lieutenant governor. Full Story
Marking a new era in Texas politics, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick were sworn in on a bright sunny Tuesday, so we ease into this week’s playlist off the news with pianist Bill Evans' solo rendition of “On a Clear Day.” Full Story
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's office on Friday announced new committee members. Among the new chairs: State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who will lead the Senate Education Committee. Full Story
In the Roundup: Rick Perry performs one of his last acts as governor, the inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick brings thousands to Austin, and the Senate votes to do away with a 70-year-old tradition. Full Story
With a new lieutenant governor installed for the first time in over a decade Wednesday — and over the cries of Democrats — the Texas Senate voted to break from an almost 70-year tradition intended to encourage compromise among its members. Full Story
A day of festivities surrounding the inauguration of Texas' newest governor, Greg Abbott, and lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, ended with the traditional black tie gala. Full Story
Three different musical acts — along with six cash bars — entertained an estimated 10,000 guests including lawmakers from both parties, legislative staff, Capitol lobbyists and some of the state’s top political donors. Full Story