Politics

Evan, Ross, Reeve and Emily analyze Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address, ponder the role of a party caucus chair, and reveal which legislator is most like Elvis Presley.

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Largely devoid of any conservative red meat, Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State address may have offered some clues to his political future.

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President Obama on Tuesday offered his own plan for immigration reform, and his proposal earned both praise and criticism in Texas.

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Your evening reading: Perry's State of the State avoids hot topics; Cornyn, Cruz vote against Kerry's confirmation; poll shows Perry vulnerable in 2014

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In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education.

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Gov. Rick Perry delivers his seventh State of the State address today, telling the 83rd Legislature — and the rest of us — what's on his mind and what he hopes state lawmakers will accomplish before the end of the regular session. Watch live starting at 11 a.m.

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A major new federal immigration proposal has corralled bipartisan support, but Texas Republicans aren't biting.

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The Texas Association of Business, the state's largest business lobby, is adding criminal justice reform to its agenda for the first time. The association says reducing the prison population and increasing the workforce makes business sense.

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Your evening reading: Texans react to senators' immigration plan; report urges state to expand Medicaid; Boy Scouts may end ban on gay leaders

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The blocker bill, a tradition of the Texas Senate, gives the minority party power, because it requires that two-thirds of the Senate must agree before a bill is heard on the floor.

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With the debate over gun rights still raging in Texas and across the nation, the head of one Texas agency, the Railroad Commission, is pushing to provide training for employees so they can carry concealed handguns on the job.

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The immigration debate about to descend on Washington has already pushed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz into the spotlight.

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The common practice of lawmakers carrying bills or serving on committees that could directly affect their lives or livelihoods is permitted, so long as their efforts benefit all others in similar circumstances. But it still has vocal critics.

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Your evening reading: Republicans challenge group hoping to turn Texas blue; White House to begin immigration push next week; conservative groups come out against school security bill

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Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on Friday the creation of the Choose Life Advisory Committee, a group that will make recommendations for spending money generated by "Choose Life" license plates.

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Slightly more than 8,200 voters cast their ballots during the early voting period in the special election to replace the late state Sen. Mario Gallegos. Election day is Saturday in the race, which is likely to head to a runoff.

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Full video of my January 24 TribLive conversation with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

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The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming.

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Texas Democrats have been fighting an uphill battle against Republicans for almost two decades, but a new Washington-based group wants to invest tens of millions of dollars to turn Texas blue.

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A new group may provide Texas Democrats with an answer to their long-ignored prayers for a political comeback.

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