The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
82nd Legislative Session
Posted in
Demographics
Special Session, Court Decision Could Give E-Verify New Life
A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last week upholding an Arizona law that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants may give Texas lawmakers some newfound momentum to file immigration-related legislation.
Posted in
Public Education
How School Finance Legislation Unraveled — and Might Again
In the end, a late-night filibuster in the Senate killed school finance for the regular session. But SB 1581’s earlier crash-and-burn in the House is an odyssey worth revisiting as lawmakers take up the issue in their special session.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 82
In this week’s episode, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the end of the regular session, the start of the special session, and what it all means for Sen. Wendy Davis, Gov. Rick Perry and others.
Posted in
Politics
Imperiled Doggett “Ready to Battle” New Map
Under a new congressional redistricting map, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, would lose 60,000 constituents who voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune talked with Doggett about the proposal, which the congressman said “plunged a dagger into the heart” of Travis County.
Posted in
State Government
Sizing Up a Rick Perry White House Bid
There’s a sort of collective disbelief within the Texas political establishment about Republican Gov. Rick Perry testing the uncertain waters of a presidential campaign. But if critics have learned nothing else about Perry, they should know this: Underestimate him at your peril.
Posted in
Politics
Updated: Perry Adds Redistricting to Agenda
Not only is there finally a congressional map in legislative form, but Gov. Rick Perry has added that to the list of issues lawmakers will address during the special session. Hearings on the new map have been set for Friday.
Posted in
State Government
Video: GOP Leaders Tout Budget Cuts; Perry Demurs on 2012 Run
Gov. Rick Perry, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday touted the accomplishments of the regular session: cutting the state budget without raising taxes or tapping the Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Bill Filed for Special Session
A bill that seeks to ban “sanctuary cities” in Texas has been filed for the special session of the Legislature that began today.
Posted in
Demographics
Day One, 1st Called Session of the 82nd Legislature
Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn’t finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning.
