Updated: Senate Committee Votes Out Smoking Ban
Senate lawmakers pushed a ban on smoking in public places out of committee this afternoon, sending it to the full upper chamber for a vote. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/VerySmokeyCigarette.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Andhi J -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Murphy visualize what happened to the nearly 5,800 bills introduced in the 82nd Lege, Aaronson, Hasson and Swicegood interactively recap the budget battle, Aguliar on the surge in illegal re-entry cases prosecuted by the Obama administration, Galbraith on a coal plant that wants a water deal from the LCRA, Grissom interviews a man wrongly imprisoned and nearly executed — twice, Hamilton on a controversial UT regent who wants a do-over in the debate over higher ed reform, Ramshaw on the continuing fight over pre-abortion sonograms, Root on Rick Perry's newsmaking trip to NYC and M. Smith on whether cash-strapped school districts will raise taxes: The best of our best content from June 13 to 17, 2011. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Triblive06132011.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Powers on the 82nd Session and Higher Ed
One certain result of the 82nd Legislative Session is that the University of Texas at Austin will lose a signfiicant amount of funding in the 2012-2013 budget. Nathan Bernier of KUT News interviewed UT-Austin President Bill Powers on the effects of that cut and other session-related matters. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Keeping Full Day Public Pre-K Alive, With Fees
The 82nd Legislature delivered a fatal whack to state grants for full-day pre-kindergarten. But some public schools are refusing to let the budgetary machete finish off their early childhood programs, choosing instead to charge tuition to students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PreschoolBlocksAndCash.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
On the Records: Houston Mayor Releases Budget Balancing Tool
Houston Mayor Annise Parker has released an interactive budget balancing tool on her personal website, giving citizens a chance to see if they can close the city's $130 million deficit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetInteractive.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: Why Dewhurst Made the Ten Worst List
At this morning's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story explained why they put Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on the Ten Worst list. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribliveBestWorst.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Interactive Timeline: The Budget Battle
We’ve culled the Tribune’s coverage of the budget battle and created an interactive timeline to link readers back to the major developments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetChart_Lead_3d.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson / Becca Aaronson / Todd Wiseman -
Texplainer: How Often Does Perry Veto Bills?
Gov. Rick Perry is not shy when it comes to using his veto pen. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Updated: Fiscal Conservatives Frustrated With House Votes
Rep. Donna Howard's proposal to direct surplus Rainy Day Fund money to Texas schools for enrollment growth survived to fight another day during debate on the House floor this morning, but not before a Republican attempt to derail it. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: What Lege Sessions Cost Taxpayers and Lawmakers
We break down the cost to taxpayers of the regular and special sessions. It's not chump change, but one political science expert argues the relatively low pay for lawmakers keeps many Texans from being able to run for higher office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/House2_wide_front2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
After 16 Hours of Debate, House Tentatively Passes Key Fiscal Matters Bill
Lengthy debate on a key budget bill featured many retreads of contentious topics from the regular session — but it was Rep. Wayne Christian's revival of his famous "pansexual" amendment around midnight that almost killed the whole thing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Christian1280CMS.jpg)
![State Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, listens to testimony during a House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee hearing on April 5, 2011.]()
Credit: Bob -
Video: The Week in Texas Politics Recap: June 6 to June 10, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Cap3.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Guest Column: Tea Party + GOP Legislators = Zero Budget Heroics
Some critics of the state budget process, including here at the Tribune, argue the Legislature suffers from a lack of leadership in the face of a confused public that doesn't understand. But check the poll numbers: Republicans are giving voters what they seem to want. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/tea_aguilar.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar -
Video: Teachers, Parents Protest Education Cuts
Teachers and parents gathered today at the state Capitol to protest budget cuts to education funding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/teacherrally.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
With Filibuster, Wendy Davis Talks Herself Into Political Spotlight
State Sen. Wendy Davis' controversial decision to torpedo the 82nd Legislative session with a filibuster has catapulted the Fort Worth Democrat into the spotlight, which she has seized to try to mobilize the state’s downtrodden and outnumbered Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA0456-mcs.jpg)
![Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, during her filibuster at the end of the the 82nd legislature on Sunday, June 3, 2011. The action, in opposition to $4 billion in cuts to education, tipped lawmakers into an immediate special session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Grissom on a freshman lawmaker who didn't mind making waves, Aguilar on E-Verify's new lease on life, Galbraith on the state's plodding progress toward solar power, Hamilton on Warren Chisum's exit, Philpott on the remapping of Lloyd Doggett's district, Ramsey on a proposed change to ethics laws for Texas pols, Ramshaw on efforts by the state to take control of Medicaid and Medicare, Root on why a Rick presidential bid shouldn't be underestimated, M. Smith on the unraveling of school finance legislation and Tan and Dehn on the highs and lows of the 82nd legislative session: The best of our best content from May 30 to June 3, 2011. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/06032011_Tribweek.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
This Time, Budget Bills Sail Through Senate
After last ditch efforts from Democrats to increase funding for schools through closing tax loopholes and tapping the Rainy Day Fund failed, two budget bills quickly cleared the Senate Friday night. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA0518.jpg)
![Sen. Steve Ogden R-Bryan on June 3rd, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: The Week In Politics Recap May 30 - June 3, 2011
Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/CapitolWest.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Unfinished Business, and Then Some
Texas lawmakers are back for a special session that started the day after their 140-day regular session. That’s something like sprinting to the finish of a long race and having your coach yell, just as you break the tape, “One more lap.” Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib's multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.) Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TrioCMS.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4a137966cfaea56df7fd4fbb0dc9674c/BD%20INC%20Powers%2002%20CMS%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e780d0c5f9e8a7e7bbd8dd2466b2e5f/BD%20INC%20Trio%2001%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d2a4d9e50410a38e87e25a2e56824b20/BD%20INC%20Pitts%20381%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/60393be0c19e4092d429d429d702d321/BD%20INC%20Davis%20Leaves%2001%202011)