Newsreel: Redistricting, Recess and Rejection
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Lawmakers said it would take seven to 10 days to deal with redistricting during the special session, and that turned out to be wildly optimistic. Full Story
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Redistricting is Harder Than It Looked at First
Texas lawmakers set out to do a quick fix on the state's political maps. They soon found out there was nothing quick about it. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Guest Column: Pulling Young Texans Into Civic Life
Young Texans are less likely to vote than the 30-and-older set, but they do volunteer work and take part in conversations about politics. Full Story
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Guest Column: Shifting Demographics and the Future of Texas Politics
The fastest-growing population in Texas is also one of the least civically engaged populations in the state. Amid the talk about how new Hispanics in Texas will vote, it's worth asking how many of them will vote at all. Full Story
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Guest Column: Civic Engagement and the Future of Texas
Texas is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to civic participation in the U.S., according to the Texas Civic Health Index. Only a few states had lower voter registration, political discussion and contact between public officials and the public. Full Story
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Video: Session of Transparency Fell Short
When it came to passing major ethics reforms that would have increased transparency for elected officials, the 83rd Legislature didn't make much headway. Lawmakers, it seems, didn't have the appetite for increased public disclosure. Full Story
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The Never-Ending Story
Politics is fast. Redistricting is slow. A rare set of openings has candidates wrestling for advantage at the same time that redistricting debates are raising some of the same questions that stalled the 2012 primaries. Full Story
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Combs' Exit Spurs a Political Stampede
The comptroller's announcement that she won't seek re-election prompted a flurry of declarations of interest, which in turn prompted other flurries, and so on. In the minds of Texas politicians, it's already 2014. Full Story
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The Brief: June 3, 2013
A subdued start to the special session has shifted attention back to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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Newsreel: Special Session, Redistricting, 2014 Elections
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
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Agenda Texas: Post-Session Horse Race Begins
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Texas lawmakers may still be hanging around the Capitol for a special legislative session, but their minds are wandering toward 2014. Full Story
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TribLive: Patrick on His Plans for 2014
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, addressed the rumors that he's considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
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Comptroller Susan Combs Won't Seek Re-election
Comptroller Susan Combs announced Wednesday that she will not seek re-election and that she is retiring from public office at the end of her term. Full Story
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Redistricting Lawyers: Keep the Senate Maps for 2014
UPDATED: At a federal redistricting hearing in San Antonio, lawyers for the state and the various plaintiffs agreed that the state Senate maps used in 2012 should be left as is for the 2014 elections. But they still differ on the House and Congress plans. Full Story
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Craddick Faults Nichols Over Texting-While-Driving Bill
State Rep. Tom Craddick, who authored a bill that would have made texting while driving a criminal offense in Texas, is pointing the finger at Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Nichols over the measure's failure. Full Story
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Perry Hails Water Bill, is Evasive on His Future
Gov. Rick Perry signed a major water infrastructure bill into law on May 28. Speaking to reporters afterward, he remained coy about his political future and wouldn't say if he will add any items to the special session agenda. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 4, which lays the foundation for Texas' future water needs. He is joined by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay on May 28, 2013]()
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Which Votes Will Haunt Texas Lawmakers?
Gov. Rick Perry has until June 16 to sign or veto bills from the legislative session, but political operatives are already combing through the records of the proceedings, looking for votes that might haunt legislators in next year's elections. Full Story
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This Session, Lawmakers Put Down Their Swords
If Texas’ less-than-theatrical 83rd legislative session is remembered at all, it will be known for accords, not discord. Here's a look at top storylines from this session and what they could portend for the future. Full Story
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Perry Vetoes "Dark Money" Bill
Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed a divisive measure that would have forced some tax-exempt, politically active nonprofits to disclose their donors. Full Story
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House Approves Changes to Ballot Harvesting Bill
The final version of a controversial bill filed to prevent so-called ballot harvesting was approved by the House on Friday, but not before a key provision was diluted in the Senate. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond
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