A weekly leadership breakfast went sour Wednesday as the state’s top three officials complained to one another about legislative packages and the tensions between a House and Senate that have just weeks left to complete their work.
Joe Straus
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: Legislative Dance Partners Stepping on Each Other’s Toes
The Texas House and Senate are ignoring each other’s work, slowing progress on bills like open carry and border security legislation. They’re ruffling feathers, too.
Posted inState Government
Abbott Refuses to Take Sides on Tax Cuts
Gov. Greg Abbott refused to pick sides Wednesday in a growing squabble over how best to cut state taxes, and moved away from an earlier promise to “insist” that Texas lawmakers cut property taxes before the session ends on June 1.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: March 23, 2015
As you read these words over your morning coffee, Ted Cruz is already a candidate for president. He announced about 11 p.m. Texas time via Twitter.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: March 9, 2015
This weekend, the Tribune launched a five-part series exploring the difficulties of people along the Texas-Mexico border in maintaining access to regular sources of drinking water.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
UT/TT Poll: In Texas, Walker Catches Cruz
Ted Cruz’s wide lead over other contenders for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Texas has disappeared; he is now in a virtual tie with the surging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 19, 2015
Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 18, 2015
State Rep. José Menéndez handily won election to the state Senate after a high-dollar, contentious race against House colleague Trey Martinez Fischer.
Posted in
Politics
Analysis: Tension Goes Beyond Border Security
After Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a proposal to extend the National Guard’s stay along the Texas-Mexico border, House Speaker Joe Straus said in effect that such power lies with Gov. Greg Abbott. That’s not the only issue causing a potential House-Senate divide.
Posted inState Government
The Playlist: Falling Grace
This week, journalism lost two who were among its best: longtime CBS News correspondent Bob Simon and New York Times media columnist David Carr. This playlist is dedicated to them.