The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
UPDATED: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Wednesday announced another set of interim charges for state lawmakers to study before the 2015 legislative session, this time on issues of emergency preparedness and accident response. Full Story
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In a new web ad, Barry Smitherman, Republican candidate for attorney general and the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, highlights his support for the Second Amendment. Full Story
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The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to keep in place for now new restrictions on Texas abortion facilities has thrust the state and the hot-button social issue back into the national spotlight. Full Story
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Your evening reading: controversial mock immigration sting at UT canceled; new ads appear from lite guv candidates Dewhurst and Patterson; a drone flies over the Capitol Full Story
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East Texas businessman David Watts has filed paperwork to run as a Republican for Texas land commissioner, setting up a GOP primary match with George P. Bush. Full Story
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Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson presents himself as the "first defender of the Second Amendment" in the latest web ad of his challenge to sitting Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Full Story
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In the first statewide television commercial of his re-election campaign, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst describes Texas as a place where everybody can live the American dream. Full Story
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UPDATED: The UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas has canceled a mock immigration sting scheduled for Wednesday. Full Story
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The Automobile Club of Southern California is negotiating with the governor's office over a Texas Enterprise Fund grant. The company's CEO is a longtime contributor to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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And just like that, it seems, talk about a Rick Perry reboot in 2016 has taken over the conversation in Austin. Full Story
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The theory that being elected Texas land commissioner can serve as a launching pad for higher office has gained traction since George P. Bush decided earlier this year to run for the position. Full Story
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Your evening reading: UT student group's mock immigration sting creates furor; Perry repositions himself in national conversation; Dewhurst wants to keep high-risk insurance pool open Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry discussed the fiscal policy differences between Texas and California at a luncheon hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Monday, Nov. 18. Full Story
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Texas Democrats find themselves in a position similar to that of the Houston Texans — wondering how to break a lengthy losing streak. Full Story
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Among lesser-known primary challengers to front-running GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, former talk show host Lisa Fritsch has bragging rights, besting the others in a recent opinion poll and a Tea Party contest. Full Story
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Top GOP candidates in Texas have been burnishing their Second Amendment credentials by expressing support for looser gun laws. But Republicans' efforts could put them at odds with law enforcement groups. Full Story
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Tarrant County is both the largest reliably Republican county in Texas and ground zero for Democrats’ efforts to turn the state blue. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gubernatorial candidates make it official, Rick Perry has something to say about Ted Cruz and Chris Christie, and Greg Abbott starts laying out his policy positions. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cornyn earns Perry endorsement, says GOP must govern like "responsible adults"; Anderson released early from jail; two Texas Democrats break ranks with party on GOP bill to fix Affordable Care Act Full Story
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At his re-election campaign kickoff, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn stressed the need for Republicans to unite over where they agree and focus on defeating Democrats rather than each other. Full Story
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