The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
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)
The State of the Union may have inspired some real debate in Texas, but a certain musician still managed to steal much of the post-speech spotlight. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-3.jpg)
Your evening reading: Nugent, Stockman say they'll remain civil during State of the Union; Florida senator rebukes Cruz at Hagel hearing; Dallas County urges state to expand Medicaid Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-1.jpg)
Former House Public Education Chairman Rob Eissler, now a lobbyist, has taken on publishing and testing giant Pearson as a client, according to recent Ethics Commission reports. The company holds a $468 million contract with the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd0433afcae108b6ca9e832b4ffe72b1/BD%20INC%20Eissler%2001%202011)
Heading into President Obama’s fifth State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, we thought it would be worth rehashing his approval numbers here in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB9622.jpg)
A controversial State of the Union invitation has turned the national spotlight toward a Texas congressman whose reputation precedes him. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-2.jpg)
Ron Paul has asked a United Nations agency to help him take control of a self-titled domain owned by some of his supporters, infuriating several of his libertarian fans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-RonPaul-003.jpg)
The Texas agriculture commissioner on his book and campaign to highlight what he sees as a crisis on the border, his opinions on which immigration policies work and which don't, and why Americans shouldn't believe it when they are told the border is secure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/08/StaplesBorderBook.jpg)
Soon after their replacements were sworn in last month, eight former House members registered as lobbyists with the Texas Ethics Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6656c29efd309fa8edb9816347b14fe0/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Revolving%20Door%20Bidness%202013)
Eric Bearse's client list may be the best evidence yet that there’s harmony between Attorney General Greg Abbott, who's rumored to have designs on the governor’s mansion, and Gov. Rick Perry, the man who currently occupies it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d5377ca91a6d2a05217ba67a41357fcd/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Perry%20Bearse%20Abbott%202013)
Rick Perry wants to lure businesses from California to Texas. Jerry Brown wants to keep them in California. It's an entertaining partisan and cultural battle, but with substance at its core. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/05/JerryBrown-California.jpg)
Your evening reading: Secret Service launches investigation after Bushes' email hacked; Anderson court of inquiry concludes; Moody's issues warning over school finance case Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/110509_georgewbush_googleEH.jpg)
In a state capital where moving from the Legislature to the lobby — and, sometimes, the other way — is unremarkable, it’s also common to find the relatives of lawmakers lobbying the state government. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/07/Lobby-Family-Tree-2-bidness.jpg)
While members of the Texas Legislature can no longer act as lobbyists before state agencies, plenty of lawmakers still manage to lobby local governments. Others find work that critics would classify as lobbying by another name. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6176f8ffd73d0e077c2aed27b8fd4a6d/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Sieber%20Bidness%202013)
The plot in the David Dewhurst campaign fund scandal continues to thicken. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f21c3a3c5c6a859962187d7f6bb319b/BD%20INC%20Dew%2002%202913)
Your evening reading: Perry heading to California for business tour; Morton sees "road to accountability" in inquiry; Poe to help lead GOP immigration caucus Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_8563.jpg)
Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, both filed legislation on Thursday that would require personal financial statements submitted to the Texas Ethics Commission to be made available online. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Bidness-PFS.jpg)
Last week, House Speaker Joe Straus appointed a committee to examine the state's Code of Criminal Procedure. Committee members and relevant interest groups were caught by surprise, but they say the code is long overdue for revisions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/LawBook.jpg)
The sparring match between the governors of Texas and California is starting to take on tones of a full-blown rivalry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa1ab1d43716b75f98e18dd07824cd9a/BD%20INC%20State%20of%20the%20State%20384%202013)