The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum joined Texas GOP legislators on Thursday to tout proposed abortion regulations and criticize media coverage of the debate. Watch his full comments here. Full Story
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Texas, the country's leading natural gas producer, could benefit from a federal bill that focuses on permits for pipelines. But critics of the measure say that there are environmental issues that should not be ignored. Full Story
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Midsummer doldrums have been replaced by a little suspense — about the governor's plans, a court's decisions and the Legislature's protracted debate over abortion law. Full Story
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Attorney General Greg Abbott's campaign is reporting it raised $4.78 million in the last two weeks of June, an amount his representatives are calling a record haul. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he is confident abortion restriction legislation will pass during the current special session after an hours-long filibuster killed the bill during the first special session. Full Story
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Texas voters are concerned about public ethics, and about some of the issues that have attached to the governor over the last 12 years — but they're partisan about it, and that has made all the difference for Rick Perry. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis raised her public profile with a filibuster on an omnibus abortion bill, but the Fort Worth Democrat didn't necessarily make herself more electable — at least in 2014. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he will not run for re-election next year, making Attorney General Greg Abbott the instant favorite to replace him. So what does the future hold for the longest-serving Texas governor? Full Story
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A vote by the Texas Legislature to raise state district judges' salaries will benefit lawmakers whose state pensions are based on the judges' salaries. Among those benefiting are 10 members of Texas' congressional delegation. Full Story
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While abortion legislation is drawing all the attention in this second special session, lawmakers are also trying for the third time this year to find some extra money for the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
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A major announcement from Gov. Rick Perry today could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Texas politics. Full Story
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When state Sen. Dan Patrick endorsed Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid last year, it helped turn the two men from sometime-rivals into allies. But now, Patrick has become Dewhurst’s fiercest critic among the field of candidates hoping to unseat him. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Texas legislators are back for a second special session and another round of the debate on the state's abortion laws. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry will announce "exciting future plans" in San Antonio. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst currently enjoys the unenviable status of being the least popular of the major statewide Republican elected officials in Texas, according to an analysis of his approval numbers and standing in election matchups. Full Story
Rather than displaying the swagger of Gov. Rick Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott comes off as cautious and measured. Those who know him say he is very methodical, a trait that could be to his advantage in a potential race for governor. Full Story
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As Greg Abbott — widely believed to be running for governor — waits for Monday's announcement on Gov. Rick Perry's political future, we've compiled a photographic retrospective of the Texas attorney general's life. Full Story
The former Texas Republican Party chairman is betting his fellow conservatives want a change of direction after a dozen years of Gov. Rick Perry and what he says would be "more of the same" from Attorney General Greg Abbott. Full Story
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Reeve, Ben, Evan and Ross discuss the fallout from last week's filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis, the Voting Rights Act, the effort to impeach a university regent and Gov. Rick Perry's coming announcement of "exciting future plans." Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about setting up a presdential race, resigning to run, getting federal permission to change election laws and whether the 2014 primaries will be on time. Full Story
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After Democrats scored a rare legislative victory on Gov. Rick Perry's home turf, the national spotlight is revisiting the governor of Texas. How he handles it could affect his hopes as a 2016 presidential contender. Full Story
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