82nd Legislative Session

TribLive: Sullivan on Straus

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan explained what he doesn't like about Speaker Joe Straus' leadership of the Texas House. Full Story
TribLive: A Conversation with Michael Quinn Sullivan

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2012

Full video of our 1/12 TribLive conversation with the conservative activist, who heads the watchdog groups Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. Full Story
Texas Payday Lenders Face New Rules, Scrutiny

By Thanh Tan Jan. 5, 2012

Payday lenders are about to come under the microscope — the result of new laws designed to curb predatory lending and prevent a cycle of "debt and dependency." Full Story

Credit: James Malone
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Eiland and Taylor

By Evan Smith Jan. 4, 2012

At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on 12/14, state Reps. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session. Full Story
TribYear: (Some of) Our Best Stories of 2011

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 31, 2011

In the spirit of TribWeek and TribMonth, we present TribYear. Ten of our best stories of 2011. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Measuring the Impact of Historic Education Cuts

By Morgan Smith Dec. 12, 2011

One question has dominated education conversations in Texas since even before the 2011 legislative session and budget slashing began: How will public schools be affected? The answers are many and varied. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Updated: House Education Expert Hochberg Won't Run

By Ross Ramsey and Morgan Smith Dec. 2, 2011

The Legislature's foremost expert on school finance and one of its top public education advocates, state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, confirmed this afternoon that he won't seek re-election next year. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Child Abuse Reports Up as Economy Falters

By Claire Cardona Dec. 2, 2011

Experts speculate that a key factor in the increase in reports of child abuse and neglect is the struggling economy. The number of reported cases of abuse has grown 6 percent in Texas since 2008, before the recession. Full Story

Credit: Jennifer Whitney
Dewhurst Releases Interim Charges on Border Security, Trafficking

By Julián Aguilar Dec. 1, 2011

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released a list today of border security-related issues he wants Senate committees to consider in advance of the 2013 legislative session. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Schools Face Tough New Rules on Financial Hardship

By Morgan Smith Nov. 23, 2011

The TEA has released new guidelines that set tough thresholds for school districts hoping to take advantage of special legal exemptions passed by the Legislature and intended to help schools cope with significant budget cuts. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
TribLive: El Paso's Freshmen on the 82nd Session

By Evan Smith Nov. 22, 2011

At our TribLive conversation at the University of Texas at El Paso on 11/16, state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, and state Reps. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, and Dee Margo, R-El Paso, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session. Full Story
TribLive: Dewhurst on Straus vs. MQS

By Evan Smith Nov. 18, 2011

At this week's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst weighed in on the brewing battle over spending cuts between Speaker Joe Straus and conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. Full Story
Austin Officials Announce Crackdown on Wage Theft

By Haleigh Svoboda Nov. 17, 2011

Officials in Austin, Houston, El Paso and San Juan announced plans today intended to make employers aware of a key change in the law passed by the Legislature designed to elevate the importance of prosecuting wage theft. Full Story
TribLive: McCall on the 82nd Session

By Evan Smith Nov. 4, 2011

At this week's TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall — a former state lawmaker — reflected on his first legislative session out of office in two decades. Full Story
Flying the Flag

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 4, 2011

Early voting is underway and has been since October 24, but it's not easy to prove it. Full Story

Credit: Erik Hersman
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 104

By Reeve Hamilton Nov. 2, 2011

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Ben and Jim pore over the new UT/TT poll, review Gov. Rick Perry's viral video, and consider the recent statements of Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Some GOP Hopefuls for Texas House Pick Education Message

By Morgan Smith Oct. 27, 2011

At least some Republican 2012 primary candidates for the Texas House hope to trade the anti-government cries of the last election cycle for a message with a decidedly different focus: the state of Texas public schools. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Anti-Tax Groups Oppose Constitutional Amendments

By Susannah Jacob Oct. 26, 2011

Texas voters started going to the polls this week to decide whether to add 10 amendments to the state's massive Constitution, potentially taking the total number of amendments to 477. A few of them have drawn the ire of anti-tax groups. Full Story

Credit: Jason Brackins
TribLive: Combs on 82nd Session Budget Cuts

By Evan Smith Oct. 20, 2011

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about the billions cut from the state budget during the last legislative session — and whether kicking the can down the road on health care costs was a sound financial decision. Full Story
Straus Releases Interim Charges for House Committees

By Reeve Hamilton Oct. 20, 2011

House Speaker Joe Straus has released the interim charges that will direct the work of the lower chamber's legislative committees for the next 11 months — and lawmakers will be busy. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich