No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28.
Texas House of Representatives
Posted in
Demographics
Controversial? Just Wait
The voter ID legislation passed by the Texas Senate on Wednesday night may be controversial, but it’s a familiar debate, as is the issue of “sanctuary cities.” Less well known but no less controversial are many of the provisions found in more than three dozen immigration-related bills filed so far. Some Hispanic Republicans in the Texas House say they are not going to support bills they believe are too extreme.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: How Do You Get Tea Party Approved?
Last week, freshman state Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, had her “TeaApproved” status revoked by the North Texas Tea Party following her vote in favor of re-electing Speaker Joe Straus. How did she get “TeaApproved” in the first place?
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Why Are Bills Read Aloud?
Back in the day, not all public officials could read, so clerks would read the bills aloud in the House and Senate. We’re reasonably confident they all can read now, but the clerks keep the tradition alive.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Why Is There a COW in the Capitol?
Legislation has to go through committees before the entire House or Senate can have a look. It’s a way of dividing up the work and getting things straightened out as much as possible before they get the full treatment from the Legislature. But there’s a pecking order involved. And that’s when the COW gets called in.
Posted in
Economy
A Chicken Little Budget
Whatever budget lawmakers eventually approve will serve as the working blueprint for the state for the two years starting in September. But the budget released last week isn’t a blueprint — it’s a political document. It marks the shift from the theoretical rhetoric of the campaigns to the reality of government.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly Recap: Jan. 17 – Jan. 21
Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21.
Posted inState Government
Data App: Lege Seating Charts
Last week we helped you navigate the labyrinth of offices at the Texas Capitol complex. Today we’re releasing an interactive feature that shows where House and Senate members sit in their respective chambers.
Posted in
State Government
Data App: Bill Tracker
Our latest data app aims to help Texans make sense of the legislative process, tracking bills as they move through the Legislature.
Posted in
State Government
Explainer: Bill Tracker App
Watch this tutorial to learn how to use our bill tracker app to explore legislation filed in the Texas House and Senate.
