The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
If the pressure to expand Medicaid is getting to Gov. Rick Perry — now seven Republican governors, including his friend Rick Scott in Florida, support accepting federal dollars to cover poor adults — he’s not letting on. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aeb88227c503fd00b4f3c08544712d9e/BD%20INC%20Perry%2003%202012)
The Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency, created in 2011 amid controversy surrounding the leadership of university system regents, will be renewed this session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd709190e4b3c538b4ea2bc7e7cba86c/TT%20EVENT%20Dew%20Mid%202013)
Overall, Texas voters — by a slight majority — believe the federal government should continue oversight of the state's changes in election laws, according to the October 2012 University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. But partisans are split. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_ElectionDay_Tamir.Kalifa009.jpg)
An onslaught of media scrutiny doesn't appear to have slowed Ted Cruz, who returned to Texas on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/887efabba3f73c6f6a4aedcc2053bc6c/BD%20Cruz%20LaRue%20Tactical%202013)
Your evening reading: Cruz on offense during tour of Texas gun manufacturer; senators condemn state's testing system; Legislature to investigate UT regents' treatment of Powers Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7179a67d6d3c9289f3d697b8c4af36cb/BD%20INC%20Cruz%20LaRue%20Tactical%2002%202013)
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, kicked off a mini tour of the Lone Star State on Tuesday by bashing the Obama administration and its attempts "to restrict law-abiding citizens' right to bear arms." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/CruzTalkCMS.jpg)
Calling President Obama’s recent gun control initiatives “cynical” and “wrong,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said on Tuesday that lawmakers “should focus our efforts on deterring and punishing violent criminals." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d07f3a0258f53c55cb898c67a332614/BD%20INC%20Cruz%20Wide%202013)
A leaked White House plan has injected new rancor into the fight over immigration reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-4.jpg)
In this edition of the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The House is off and running with the first of several supplemental appropriations bills. The state might opt out of Medicaid expansion, but counties might take part. And Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson talks about why he's running for office in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/021513_ART.jpg)
Your evening reading: George P. Bush says he'll announce political intentions before end of session; scrutiny of Cruz continues; Lamar Smith calls meteor a reminder to fund space programs Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/GeorgePBush_1.jpg)
At last Saturday's quarterly meeting of the Texas Lyceum, I interviewed political-strategists-turned-pundits Matthew Dowd and Mark McKinnon about the media's coverage of the 2012 elections and how reporting on politics will be different going forward. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/McDowd_ART.jpg)
Full video of my 2/14 TribLive conversation with Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, an announced candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Patterson-1.jpg)
Weeks after Ted Cruz began building a reputation as the U.S. Senate's brashest new member, his colleagues are beginning to sound off. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8fc3a7a8e5b75b0be10f8115e565fbb2/BD%20INC%20TEd%20Cruz%20647%202012)
Your evening reading: Cruz gets plum speaking slot at CPAC; House may restore some education cuts; Patterson expresses support for statewide property tax Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43c50d5549eeec0811008ac77738cec6/BD%20INC%20Cruz%20End%202012)
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson explained why he's intent on running for lieutenant governor in 2014 — regardless of whether incumbent David Dewhurst runs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Patterson-3.jpg)
In a candid TribLive interview on Thursday, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson explained his opinions on gun control, immigration and a statewide property tax. He also evaluated his potential competition in the 2014 race for lieutenant governor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4569893530011b30e97e6ed2b227d40e/TT%20Events%20Patterson%2001%202013)
The drawn-out sparring match between the governors of Texas and California has come to an end — for now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB8754.jpg)
Your evening reading: House Democrats file measure to test GOP support for immigration reform; Paul to make talk radio debut; Norquist says Texas could change national immigration debate Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/D54H9824.jpg)
Evan, Ross, Reeve and Brandi cover a lot of territory in a discussion that includes Ted Nugent's presence at the State of the Union, Rick Perry's visit to California and Ken Anderson's court of inquiry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/13/Tribcasters-Lead-c.jpg)
Texas' public pension systems — including the one state lawmakers pay into — have an airtight exemption from the landmark 1973 sunshine law that was designed to let taxpayers known how public money is being spent. But some lawmakers want to change that. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/12/MoneyBags-Capitol-Between.jpg)