Sharper Elbows in a Special Session
The comity of the regular session might disappear in a special session: The rules change to the disadvantage of the Democrats, and the agenda changes to the advantage of the governor. 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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Agenda Texas: Redistricting Court Battle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The special session on redistricting is under way, but unlike previous redistricting efforts in Texas, most of the action this time may not take place at the Capitol. Full Story
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Redistricting Special Session: The Districts in Question
Lawmakers are deciding whether to ratify political maps drawn by federal judges for the 2012 elections and to use those maps in 2014. Based on the last two elections, we've calculated the political environment in each district. Full Story
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Agenda Texas: Legislative Development
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: It's the final weekend of the 83rd legislative session. Lawmakers still need to finish up the budget, and we answer more listener questions. Full Story
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Will They Stay or Will They Go?
A perfect time for speculation: The legislative session isn't quite over, and the political season hasn't quite begun. Full Story
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Guest Column: Texas Should Leave Redistricting Alone
Republican leaders in Texas want the Legislature to take up redistricting this session. That's a bad idea, writes Matt Angle, director of the Lone Star Project. Full Story
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Tackle Redistricting or Wait for the Courts?
Texas could trim the size of its court fights over redistricting by endorsing maps drawn by federal judges, but legislative leaders fear the harmony of the current session would evaporate in the process. Full Story
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Map: Not All Voting Age Populations Are Equal
Having each House or Senate district match the others in size masks big differences in voting age populations that greatly affect politics and elections. Use our maps to explore the numbers and see how House and Senate districts compare to statewide averages. Full Story
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The Polling Center: On Voting Rights Act, Texans Follow GOP's Lead
It’s easy to admit that those other states need some federal oversight, but here in Texas? Get out of town. Full Story
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Does Texas' Preclearance Record Matter?
Proponents of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act hope than an amicus brief filed by interests groups will sway the nine justices charged with rendering a decision on the landmark civil rights legislation. Full Story
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Updated: Oral Arguments on Section 5 Begin in Supreme Court
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act appears to be in danger of being overturned, according to various news outlets covering oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. Full Story
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Polling Center: The Partisan Split on Voting Rights
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
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Bill Would Count Prisoners Differently in Redistricting
Resuscitating the 2011 redistricting battle, two lawmakers have filed bills requiring the state to count prisoners at their last home address rather than where they are incarcerated. They say it cheats urban districts out of representatives. Full Story
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Senators Draw Lots to Determine Terms
The Texas Senate relied on chance Wednesday to determine which of them would serve for four years and which would serve for two years. For some legislators, the luck of the draw could have bigger political implications. Full Story
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State Officials Seek End to Federal Election Oversight
The U.S. Supreme Court may determine the fate of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that became an Achilles' heel for Republican lawmakers this year. That could free Texas from federal oversight in election laws. Full Story
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You've Got Mail, Mr. Speaker
The letters dribbling into House Speaker Joe Straus' mailbox raise questions about the House's redistricting last session, but that's just a way for his rivals to raise questions about his leadership. Full Story
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Texas Appeals Redistricting Decision; Elections to Proceed
As expected, the state of Texas is appealing a federal court decision throwing out Legislature's redistricting maps, Attorney General Greg Abbott announced Friday. The appeal, however, won't affect the current elections. Full Story
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TribLive: A Conversation with Greg Abbott
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, I talked with Attorney General Greg Abbott about voter ID, redistricting, the cost of suing the feds 24 times and whether he's going to run for governor. Full Story
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A Democrat Challenges Straus on Redistricting
If a federal court decides that the state intentionally discriminated when drawing its new political maps, is it more difficult for Texas lawyers to argue against Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act? And is it fuel for the constant struggle over the leadership of the Texas House? Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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