The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, criticized Republican Comptroller Susan Combs on Wednesday, saying she had a “cavalier” approach to doling out millions of dollars in tax incentives, including the award eventually granted to the promoters of F1 auto racing. Full Story
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A planned interstate highway stretching from South Texas to Michigan remains decades away, but Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday that lawmakers should find more money for the project and ones like it. Full Story
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Despite strong resistance inside and outside the Legislature, groups representing gambling interests hope that a collaborative approach can help them make a breakthrough this legislative session. Full Story
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As the Boy Scouts of America prepared to reconsider its ban on gay membership, a slew of Texas officeholders jumped into the debate on Tuesday. Full Story
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The new chairman and vice chairman of the Texas Ethics Commission board on the state’s disclosure rules, their efforts to prioritize certain types of ethics complaints and the reforms they anticipate in the 83rd legislative session. Full Story
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CNN host Piers Morgan, who has been fiercely critical of U.S. gun laws since the elementary school killings in Connecticut, is bringing his show to Texas on Monday to debate gun policy. Full Story
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When money was tight two years ago, the state's top budget writers employed cutbacks and accounting tricks to balance the budget. Money is flowing again, but the budget folks are still finding it easy to say no. Full Story
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The renewed debate over gay membership in the the Boy Scouts of America has pitted Gov. Rick Perry squarely against President Obama. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry calls for more charter schools; Obama administration offers compromise on birth control rule; governor's call for tax relief sparks confusion Full Story
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The $1.8 billion in tax relief that Gov. Rick Perry called for this week was short on details, but the few that are out there are already sparking questions. Full Story
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From Gov. James "Pa" Ferguson's impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists. Full Story
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The governor stayed away from social issues and some obvious hot-button topics in his State of the State speech this week. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a political speech. Full Story
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Is Ted Cruz, less than a month into his Senate career, already rubbing off on John Cornyn? Full Story
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Your evening reading: Cruz aggressive at Hagel confirmation hearing; Straus announces House committee assignments; poll shows Clinton competitive in Texas Full Story
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At a meeting of state business leaders Thursday, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said that current immigration laws create "ugly realities" and that Gov. Rick Perry "will never say the border is secure." Full Story
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Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature's lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills. Here's his list. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday threw cold water on speculation about a potential 2014 showdown with one of his political allies. Full Story
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Your evening reading: if Perry seeks re-election, Abbott won't run against him, governor says; poll shows Texans supportive of assault weapons ban, divided on Cornyn; Dell foundation to donate $50 million for UT medical school Full Story
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Evan, Ross, Reeve and Emily analyze Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address, ponder the role of a party caucus chair, and reveal which legislator is most like Elvis Presley. Full Story
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