Video: A Conversation With Three New House Members
Full video of my 1/14 conversation with three new members of the Texas House: Celia Israel, D-Austin; Linda Koop, R-Dallas; and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving. Full Story
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Straus Aims to Expand Authority for House Investigations
When members debate the proposed rules for the House on Thursday, they'll discuss a plan from House Speaker Joe Straus to expand one committee's jurisdiction in investigating state agencies and practices. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
T-Squared: The 84th Lege, at Your Fingertips
As excited as we are about the start of the 84th session, we’re equally pumped to roll out our brand new 84th Lege page — a comprehensive and convenient portal to all of your Texas legislative needs. Full Story
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Introducing the Texas Legislative Guide
Adding to our robust suite of Texas legislative tools, we've rolled out our Texas Legislative Guide — complete with an upgraded bill tracker and curated lists of the must-watch issues of the session across nearly a dozen different policy areas. Full Story
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Amid Health Commission Contracting Fallout, Abbott Calls for Review
UPDATED: Gov.-elect Greg Abbott announced Wednesday the creation of an independent "strike force" to review the state's largest health agency, specifically how it awards contracts to private vendors. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Slideshow: Day One of the 84th Legislature
On the first day of the 84th Legislature, state lawmakers were sworn into office amidst family and friends. Afterwards, the House re-elected Joe Straus speaker, while the Senate made Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa president pro tempore. Full Story
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![Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and his daughter, Carolyn, on the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Jan. 14, 2015
A video of a confrontation between open-carry activists and a lawmaker drew attention to the group's tactics on Tuesday. Full Story
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![Justin Delosh, r, of Lone Star Gun Rights stands with petitions to be delivered to legislators on the first day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gun Rights Activists Cause Stir at Texas Capitol
The behavior of open-carry advocates trying to drum up votes for a measure repealing handgun licensing requirements prompted one lawmaker to escort them from his office Monday. Full Story
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![Senate Sergeant at Arms Rick DeLeon tells a group from Lone Star Gun Rights that they are not allowed in the secure back hall of the Senate on opening day Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gun Advocates Take Up — and Make — Arms at Texas Capitol
As Texas lawmakers convened for the first day of the 2015 legislative session Tuesday, about a dozen activists carrying a variety of firearms gathered in front of the state Capitol to protest gun laws. Full Story
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![Activists who support a legislative proposal that would lift the state's handgun licensing requirements stand outside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Storify: The 1st Day of the 84th Legislative Session
From the first day of the new legislative session, here's a selection of tweets that journalists, lawmakers and others have shared, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting from the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
LegeStream: Watch the House and Senate Live
We're livestreaming lawmakers in action on their first day in the Capitol, courtesy of the Texas Legislature. Both the House and Senate convene at noon; the House has a speaker's race on the agenda. Full Story
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84th Lege: The Texas Ethics Explorer
We've relaunched our Ethics Explorer on day one of the 84th legislative session to show you how elected officials' personal interests might conflict with the public interest. Take a look at incoming lawmakers, judges and members of the SBOE. Full Story
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It's Opening Day for the 84th Legislature
Got your popcorn ready? The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day regular session today at noon, with ceremonies, a little pomp and a skirmish or two. Here's a look at what's happening today. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 13, 2015
A historic vote for House speaker could happen on a day long on ceremony otherwise. Full Story
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Day Before Key Vote, Turner Supporters Rally
Tuesday's vote for speaker of the Texas House will provide "a sense of hope" to "the people of America," state Rep. Scott Turner told a small rally of supporters at a La Quinta Inn near the Capitol Monday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Scott Turner, at a rally near the Capitol, faces an uphill battle in his challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Agriculture Commissioner Grants Amnesty to Cupcakes in First Official Act
In his first official act as Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller granted full amnesty to cupcakes. Miller was seeking to reassure Texas parents that it's legal to bring cupcakes and other treats to school — and that he'll protect that right. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller declares cupcake amnesty at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
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Video: Huffman and Watson on Dan Patrick
At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about what kind of lieutenant governor Dan Patrick will be. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 12, 2015
Glenn Hegar, the state's new comptroller, today releases his revenue estimate for the next two years, which will go a long way to setting the early tone for the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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![Glenn Hegar (far right) stands with chief revenue estimators past and future. From left: Dale Craymer, Billy Hamilton and Tom Currah, the incoming estimator.]()
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The Playlist: Brand New Day
With the 84th Legislature starting next week and new faces in every statewide office, it feels like a "Brand New Day" in and around the Capitol, so that's how we started this week's playlist off of the week's news. Full Story
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Dan Patrick and the Two-Thirds Rule: A Primer
When he first tried to end the Senate's two-thirds rule eight years ago, Dan Patrick was a neophyte state senator easily brushed aside by tradition-bound colleagues. As lieutenant governor, the odds are a bit more in his favor. Full Story
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Credit: Rick Mach
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