As 181 members of the Texas Legislature work during the 83rd session, use this application to navigate the Capitol and locate lawmakers’ offices.
Texas House of Representatives
Posted inState Government
For the 83rd Session, An Updated Directory
The Legislature is back for the 83rd time, and we’ve refreshed our directory of statewide officials and legislators. Many of the old names are here, and so are the names of the numerous freshmen.
Posted in
State Government
Opening Day: Chambers to Set Rules, Pick Speaker
House Speaker Joe Straus faces a challenge on the first day of the 83rd Texas Legislature, and the Senate gets another run at a rule that empowers political minorities and sometimes frustrates majorities.
Posted in
Politics
(Many) Members of the 83rd Legislature on Twitter
Here’s a list of the Twitter handles of the 120 state lawmakers who do the communications thing 140 characters at a time.
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State Government
Inside Out in the House Speaker’s Race
Third parties — outsiders — can’t vote in the race for Speaker of the House. But the lawmakers who will actually elect the speaker next month are listening, and acting, on what’s going on outside.
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State Government
A Show of Strength, Either Way it Goes
A successful challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus would be a serious show of strength for outside activists. A big defeat, however, could undermine their influence just as the 2013 session begins.
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State Government
Guest Column: Pleasing Some Lawmakers Some of the Time
The Texas House under Speaker Joe Straus was more conservative in 2011 than in 2009, but not as conservative as in 2003. For opposite reasons, that was good and bad news for lawmakers from both parties.
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State Government
Speaker Race: Simpson Praying, Hughes Staying
House Speaker Joe Straus has the votes to win reelection, according to his loyalists. But he’s got a declared opponent and another in the wings, and they’ve got a month to work with.
Posted in
State Government
Straus Says He’s Ready for “Serious” Session
Despite organized efforts to unseat him, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said Wednesday he is confident his colleagues will re-elect him to the post so he can focus the 2013 legislative session on “serious issues” for a fast-growing state.
Posted in
Health care
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Villarreal and Campbell
At our Hot Seat conversation at Trinity University in San Antonio, state Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, and state Sen.-elect Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, sparred about public education, health care and other issues in play in the upcoming 83rd session.
