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.
Politics
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Politics
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.
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Politics
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.
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Politics
The Brief: June 3, 2013
A subdued start to the special session has shifted attention back to Gov. Rick Perry.
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Economy
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.
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Politics
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.
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Politics
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.
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Politics
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.
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Politics
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.
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Politics
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.