Precious days are dwindling away in the first-called special session of the state legislature, leading to speculation that one of the most divisive issues of the regular and special session, the “sanctuary cities” legislation, may not make the deadline.
Austin
Posted in
State Government
A Legislative Vortex
Gov. Rick Perry is promising to bring lawmakers back for another special session if they can’t dig their way out of the TWIA hole.
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State Government
Summer Reruns
The bill numbers have been changed to protect the innocent. If you had left Austin for a couple of weeks starting, say, right after the regular session, you’d have returned to find new congressional maps in place and little else to show for the special session.
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State Government
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: June 20 to 24, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome.
Posted in
Politics
Joaquin Castro To Take On Doggett for New Congressional Seat
San Antonio State Rep. Joaquin Castro will take on veteran U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to vie for a newly-created congressional district that spans from San Antonio up to southern Travis County.
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State Government
Video: Does Special Session Help, Hurt Perry?
Strategists say the longer lawmakers stay in town, the more time Gov. Rick Perry has to show off his conservative credentials and appeal to a crucial bloc that could propel him into a national race: Republican primary voters.
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State Government
Amazon Offers Jobs for Tax Breaks, and Lawmakers Balk
Lawmakers aren’t buying Amazon’s latest pitch for a sales tax break in Texas. But Rick Perry is.
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Guides
Texplainer: What Happens to a Bill Perry Doesn’t Sign or Veto?
Hey Texplainer: What happens to the bills that Perry doesn’t sign or veto? Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed and signed a multitude of bills this year, but to date there have been 27 he allowed to become law by default.
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State Government
Lawmakers: Get Lobbyists Out of Windstorm Fight
Lawmakers and consumer groups say special interests need to butt out of the battle over the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
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Energy
Series Explores Central Texas’ Water Supply
The Texas Tribune and KUT 90.5 FM are running a five-part series this week on water supplies in Central Texas, looking specifically at the long-term future of two key lakes that supply water to Austin and other growing cities, as well as to rice farmers a few hundred miles down the Colorado River.
