83rd Legislative Session

Highways a Talking Point as Hopefuls Hit the Road

by Aman Batheja Dec. 30, 2013

Both Democratic and Republican candidates for statewide office in 2014 are pledging to increase resources for the cash-strapped Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
Year in Review: Public Education

by Morgan Smith Dec. 26, 2013

A new direction for standardized testing, expansion for charter schools, No Child Left Behind jettisoned and the aftermath of a cheating scandal: 2013 was a significant year for Texas public education policy. Full Story
Perry, Straus Reach Out to Appointees Amid Hall Inquiry

by Reeve Hamilton Dec. 21, 2013

In the last month, both Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, have reached out to gubernatorial appointees to share their thoughts on government oversight, which has recently become a touchy subject. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Texas Shuttering Campuses at Six Charter Schools

by Morgan Smith Dec. 19, 2013

Texas will shut down campuses at six charter schools under a new law that includes heightened financial and academic performance rules. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole / Paul Sounders
New Security Measures Taking Root in Texas Schools

by Kate McGee, KUT News Dec. 13, 2013

It has been one year since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Texas lawmakers and school districts are among those who have re-examined security protocols after the shootings. Here's a look at some changes. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Hot Seat: A Conversation With Campbell and Isaac

by Evan Smith Dec. 4, 2013

At our 12/3 Hot Seat conversation at Texas State University, state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, talked about water, transportation, public education and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
SBOE Retreats From Algebra II in High School Grad Plans

by Morgan Smith and Jordan Gass-Poore Nov. 21, 2013

Shifting from a previous proposal, the State Board of Education voted Thursday to require algebra II only for students who pursue an honors plan or a diploma specializing in math and science. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Legislative Education Chairmen Join Algebra II Fray at SBOE

by Morgan Smith Nov. 20, 2013

Two top state lawmakers made an unexpected visit Wednesday evening to urge the State Board of Education to follow their lead on which courses to require in high school graduation plans. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Algebra II Fight Moves From Texas Capitol to Education Board

by Morgan Smith Nov. 20, 2013

The 15-member State Board of Education may decide to make algebra II a requirement for all students to receive a high school diploma — despite the wishes of the state Legislature. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
TribLive: Hilderbran on His Budget Vote

by Evan Smith Nov. 7, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, a 2014 candidate for comptroller, explained his 83rd session vote against the state budget. Full Story
TribLive: Hilderbran on the Revenue Estimate

by Evan Smith Nov. 7, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, a 2014 candidate for comptroller, talked about how he'd make the biennial revenue estimate more accurate. Full Story
TribLive: Hilderbran on Combs

by Evan Smith Nov. 7, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, a 2014 candidate for comptroller, assessed the performance of the current occupant of the job, Susan Combs. Full Story
With or Without $2 Billion, Water Woes Unlikely to Go Away

by Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Nov. 4, 2013

Whether or not Texas voters approve Proposition 6, which would take $2 billion from the state's savings account to use for water financing, the state has a long way to go in dealing with its water deficit. Full Story

Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
TribLive: Staples on Why He's Running

by Evan Smith Oct. 31, 2013

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples explained why he decided to run for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
Tommy Williams Hired by Texas A&M University System

by Reeve Hamilton and John Reynolds Oct. 31, 2013

UPDATED: Former state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, has officially joined the Texas A&M University System as its new vice chancellor of federal and state relations. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
TribuneFest: All Transportation is Local

by Evan Smith Oct. 29, 2013

At the Trib's Oct. 17 symposium on transportation at Southern Methodist University, Aman Batheja sat down with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins; Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes; John Langmore, vice chairman of Austin's Capitol Metropolitan Transportation Authority board; and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, chief of public engagement for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio. Full Story
Hot Seat: A Conversation With Duncan, Frullo and Springer

by Evan Smith Oct. 28, 2013

At our 10/23 Hot Seat conversation at the Texas Tech University, state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, and state Reps. John Frullo, R-Lubbock, and Drew Springer, R-Muenster, talked about water, transportation, public education and other issues in play in the 83rd session. Full Story
TribuneFest: Transportation and the 83rd Legislature

by Evan Smith Oct. 24, 2013

At the Trib's Oct. 17 symposium on transportation at Southern Methodist University, I sat down with four members of the House Transportation Committee: Chairman Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, and state Reps. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, and Joe Pickett, D-El Paso. Full Story
Ritter Retiring From Texas House

by Becca Aaronson Oct. 4, 2013

After nearly 15 years in the Texas House, state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, announced his retirement on Friday. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
TribuneFest: A Conversation With Joe Straus

by Evan Smith Oct. 3, 2013

Full video of Jay Root's one-on-one with Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, at the 2013 Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story