The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Saying Texas needs to avoid a “patchwork of local regulations” that threaten oil and gas production, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed legislation that would pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of drilling-related activities. Full Story
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A measure to enact several restrictions on minors seeking abortions without parental consent was met with legal concerns on Monday when a Senate panel considered the proposal. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry on Monday said he would not have invaded Iraq knowing what he knows now. It's a question that has animated the GOP's 2016 presidential field in recent days. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the final two weeks of the 84th Texas Legislature: Will lawmakers be able to get together, or will they be back for a special session? Full Story
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Once reluctant to get involved in his party's 2016 presidential primary, Gov. Greg Abbott is increasingly warming up to his potential role as a kingmaker. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry embarked on a five-day swing through Iowa on Saturday, emphatically looking to distinguish himself from a crowded field of 2016 hopefuls. Full Story
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With a crucial deadline looming at midnight May 14, the Texas House embarked on a 15-hour legislative day that alternated between drama, comedy and forced march. Photographer Bob Daemmrich chronicles the day's waning hours. Full Story
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With former Gov. Rick Perry set to announce June 4 whether he plans to run for president again, we tell you why he stands a chance, and why he doesn't. Full Story
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House Republicans want Texans to know they still oppose same-sex marriage – even if foot-dragging Democrats thwarted a debate on the polarizing subject Thursday night. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry has scheduled a "special announcement" for June 4 in Dallas. He is expected to announce he is running for president in 2016. Full Story
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The U.S. Supreme Court says it's okay for states to bar judges from raising their own campaign cash. A lot of judges (and lawyers, too) think that's a pretty good idea that Texas might want to consider. Full Story
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After a heated late-night debate, a controversial plan to start assigning public schools A-through-F grades cleared the Texas House on Thursday. Full Story
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Top state leaders were negotiating intensely — and optimistically — Thursday afternoon on a master settlement on tax cuts, restraints on local property tax increases, border security, prosecutions of state ethics cases and open carry of handguns. Full Story
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In this week's episode of The Ticket, a co-production of the Trib and KUT, we break down the presidential announcement of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and chat with his supporter George Seay, who was Rick Perry's state finance chairman in 2012. Full Story
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Texas politicians convicted of major public corruption crimes would lose their lucrative pensions under a bill that the Texas House tentatively passed Thursday in a unanimous vote. Full Story
Facing a midnight deadline in the House to take initial votes on that chamber's bills, Democrats dragged their feet, working to delay a vote on a bill forbidding the use of state or local funds to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Full Story
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The House and Senate are close to coming together on another thorny subject that Gov. Greg Abbott declared a priority this session. But this issue doesn't involve tax cuts. Full Story
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There are generic Texas-themed emoji on the way, but they won’t do the trick. What we really need — what you really want — are ones specially designed with the 84th Legislature in mind. Here are the 14 we came up with. Full Story
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A controversial immigration-enforcement bill similar to an executive order issued by former Gov. Rick Perry in December is moving forward in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas. Full Story
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