Straus Files for Another Term as Speaker
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has filed the paperwork to officially seek another term presiding over the lower chamber. If he wins, it will be his fifth. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus, right, with state Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
With Fracking Ban Overruled, Denton Ponders Next Steps
Frustrated Denton residents flooded a city council meeting Tuesday for a conversation about fracking that stretched late into the night. Now that state lawmakers have slapped down the city's fracking ban, residents wonder what else they can do. Full Story
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![A grassroots effort to ban fracking in Denton succeeded last fall, but has now been trumped by state lawmakers.]()
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Intrigue Swirls Around Eltife's Senate Seat
State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, has not yet said whether he is running for re-election in 2016, but that has not stopped a number of potential candidates from eying his seat, awaiting his final decision. Full Story
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![Sen. Kevin Eltife R-Tyler is sworn in as President pro tempore of the Texas Senate on June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Sen. Fraser Decides Against Running for Re-election
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday he is not running for re-election, bringing to a close a 27-year tenure at the Capitol. Full Story
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![Sen. Troy Fraser R-Horseshoe Bay on floor April 23]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Health Budget Kicks Can Down Road, Experts Say
On balance, health care for the neediest Texans didn't fare well this session. Departing lawmakers leave behind a Medicaid budget that most experts agree is too low, and they predict it will spawn a hole in the state budget that will have to be filled later. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
In a More Conservative Legislature, Few Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond -
Out of Office, Perry Finds Ways to Make Money
Fresh off the state government payroll, former Gov. Rick Perry quickly turned to two tried-and-true ways of cashing in on a long career in public service: taking a seat on a corporate board and hiring out for speeches. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry shakes hands at a Cedar Rapids event kicking off a five-day swing through Iowa in May.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Patrick: I'm Not Running Against Abbott in 2018
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to reporters after the Texas Senate wrapped up the 84th legislative session on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
State Rep. Farias Won't Seek Another Term in the House
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Farias announces his retirement in front of the Texas House on June 1, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Despite Early Momentum, Immigration Bills Fall Flat
Though campaign promises to enact immigration-enforcement measures and repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students didn't see the light of day, Republicans who championed the measures said they'll be back next session to try again. Full Story
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![Texas Association of Business CEO Bill Hammond, speaks in favor of HB 1403 which was passed in 2001 and grants all Texans in-state college tuition regardless of immigration status on April 13th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Chambers Settle Railroad Commission Squabble
The Railroad Commission of Texas is set to go under intense legislative scrutiny next session after all, under an agreement by state House and Senate lawmakers. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Hays County Groundwater Bill Heads to Governor's Desk
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — following an emotional week of political drama over the issue. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the floor of the House on May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Campus Carry Bill Heads to Abbott
Legislation requiring the state’s public universities to allow handguns in dorms, classrooms and campus buildings is now one step away from becoming law after a final vote to approve it in the Texas House on Sunday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress, during gun bills debates on April 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Looks to Hold His Own in 2016 Money Chase
When he sets out on his second presidential campaign Thursday, former Gov. Rick Perry will be officially entering a more crowded and competitive dash for campaign cash than he experienced three years ago. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry in Lancaster, N.H.]()
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Campus Carry Gets Final Approval in Texas Senate
The Texas Senate took a final vote Saturday to approve legislation requiring the state’s public universities to allow handguns in dorms, classrooms and campus buildings. The House is scheduled to vote on the issue on Sunday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, during a debate over his campus carry bill, SB 11, on March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Major Ethics Overhaul is Declared Dead
With no collective will to expose "dark money" contributions in Texas, a major ethics overhaul died in the waning hours of the 2015 legislatives session. A few piecemeal changes are still possible before the final gavel comes down on the 84th Legislature Monday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, at a Tribune event on Dec. 11, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Proposal Would Delay Railroad Commission Scrutiny
The Railroad Commission of Texas would avoid intense legislative scrutiny until 2023 under a deal reached late Friday, a surprise six-year reprieve that rankled the oil and gas regulator’s critics. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
"Open Carry" Bill Heads to Abbott
A signature from Gov. Greg Abbott is all that remains before a bill allowing Texans to carry their handguns openly becomes law. Full Story
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![State Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, l, on the floor debating HB910 the open carry bill on the House floor May 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Restrictions on Minors Seeking Abortions Head to Abbott
Far-reaching restrictions on when and how minors seeking abortions in Texas without parental consent can seek help from the courts are headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, are shepherding legislation to tighten the requirements on "judicial bypass," abortions.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich