The Plano Republican told members of the Tea Party-aligned caucus that he was leaving the group because he thinks that his “time, talent and treasure is best devoted to fighting for those things within the Republican Caucus.”
Texas Legislature 2019
The 86th Legislature runs from Jan. 8 to May 27. From the state budget to health care to education policy — and the politics behind it all — we focus on what Texans need to know about the biennial legislative session.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Legislative report: Harvey recovery has cost $2.7 billion so far — most paid by feds
A report released Friday by the Texas Senate’s budget-writing committee laid out past and future costs related to recovery from “the most costly disaster ever to hit the Texas coast.”
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Texas Legislature 2019
With record $12.5 billion in Texas’ savings account, lawmakers set $7.5 billion minimum balance
The decision means Texas can invest more of its massive rainy day fund — and signals lawmakers’ confidence that the current balance is healthy.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: All Texas politics is national
The general election two years ago set Texas Republicans on a red-meat sprint in the 2017 legislative session. This year, the tone is quieter, and the agenda is laden with bread-and-butter issues.
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Texas Legislature 2019
State lawmaker files bill to require annual football game between UT and Texas A&M
The Longhorns and the Aggies haven’t played since 2011.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: For Texas politicians, the season of receiving has arrived
The elections are behind the state’s politicians. The 86th legislative session is ahead. In between, it’s time to raise money.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas lawmakers punt on setting a spending cap for 2019 session
House Speaker Joe Straus said the unusual decision was meant to ensure lawmakers didn’t rush to a decision they might “regret.”
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Texas Legislature 2019
From staying out to declaring victory, how Dennis Bonnen ended the speaker’s race in a weekend
The Republican from Angleton wasn’t even a candidate a month ago. Now he says he has north of 100 votes — more than enough to win the gavel.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Dennis Bonnen says he has the votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House
Bonnen made the announcement at a press conference at the Capitol.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: If you can’t win a race for Texas speaker, you’re not ready for the job
State Rep. Dennis Bonnen appears to have secured the votes needed to become speaker. Now, the hardest political challenges begin.