The Brief: June 5, 2015
Now that Rick Perry is officially in the race for president in 2016, the next trick is to stay in the race. Full Story
The latest Greg Abbott news from The Texas Tribune.
Now that Rick Perry is officially in the race for president in 2016, the next trick is to stay in the race. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Thursday that eliminates a controversial startup investment fund long touted by his predecessor, Rick Perry. The legislation directs much of the fund's money to a new researcher recruitment effort. Full Story
Later this morning in Addison, Rick Perry is expected to announce that he plans to run again for the White House, testing whether GOP voters across the country believe in extending him a second act in presidential politics. Full Story
With legislative business concluded, talk has immediately turned in some quarters to the next election season. Full Story
At the Texas Department of Transportation, employees have expressed concern about the impact of a bill aimed at reducing conflicts of interests in state contracting. Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that he intends to sign the bill. Full Story
The day after lawmakers ended their legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott touted a successful session for transportation funding and issues, as he signed three bills on a heliport in Dallas. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed two bills on Monday, including one aimed at encouraging people to call 911 during drug overdoses, even if they are in possession of illegal substances themselves. Full Story
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
Sine die has now come and gone. But with lawmakers now free to return to their hometowns across the state, the question remains: How'd they do? Full Story
Seven months after a rag-tag group of local activists scored a surprising victory over the state’s powerful oil and gas industry when Denton voted to ban hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas company Monday resumed operations under a state law passed to overturn Denton's ban. Full Story
Republicans went to war with one another over the idea of disclosing dark money. But they probably needn't bother. Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Monday that he thinks the idea is unconstitutional. Proponents of shining a light on it disagree. Full Story
Voters sent a conservative pack of lawmakers to Austin and got conservative results. But it's more complicated than that. Full Story
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
Texas lawmakers started the legislative session without a list of big problems to solve or election mandates to fulfill. And they are ending it without the kinds of results that fill the history books. Full Story
When the gavel comes down on the legislative session on Monday, lawmakers will have failed to pass into law about two dozen different proposals aimed at curbing conflicts of interest and shining light into the dark corners of the Capitol. Full Story
The 84th Legislature closes the books on its 140-day regular session today. As the Tribune's Ross Ramsey writes, it isn't one for the history books. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling that he will sign into law a bill allowing epilepsy patients to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana. Full Story
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the focus turns to the end of the 84th Legislative session: It all ends Monday, but will it end with a bang or a whimper? Full Story
Texas politicians are on the verge of creating a new system for prosecuting a unique type of white-collar crime — the type that involves them. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott wanted to "dedicate this session to ethics reform," and now must decide whether to sign a bill limiting the information he and other elected officials must disclose information about their spouses' property and finances. Full Story