Menéndez to Senate; Three Claim House Seats
Four more seats in the Legislature are finally decided, with José Menéndez romping to win San Antonio's Senate seat. Two Republicans and a Democrat are headed for the House. Full Story
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![State Reps. José Menéndez (left) and Trey Martinez Fischer, both Democrats from San Antonio, are seeking the Texas Senate seat vacated by Leticia Van de Putte, who is running for mayor of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Lawmakers React to Abbott's Budget Plan
Gov. Greg Abbott outlined an ambitious agenda in his first State of the State address. While many lawmakers lauded his goals, some questioned how the state can afford to spend billions of dollars on roads and higher education research while cutting billions in tax revenue. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Abbott Delivers State of the State Address
Watch full video of Gov. Greg Abbott's first State of the State address Tuesday to a joint session of the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Faith Leaders Rally at Texas Capitol for Gay Rights
Faith leaders from across Texas gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol, urging legislators to lift the state's ban on gay marriage and pass laws forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Full Story
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![The Rev. Michael Diaz of Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston at a gay rights rally at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
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In State of the State Address, Abbott Proposes Sweeping Agenda
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott, delivering his first major policy address to the Texas Legislature, laid out an ambitious agenda, including an expansion of pre-kindergarten, massive tax cuts and roads as far as the traffic-glazed eye can see. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces five emergency items for Texas legislators to consider during his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Livestream: Abbott's State of the State Address
Speaking to a joint session of the 84th Texas Legislature, Gov. Greg Abbott will outline his vision for Texas in his first State of the State address. He is expected to focus on improving the state's education system, securing the border and investing in roads. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Four Legislative Seats Up for Grabs in Runoffs
A round of Capitol musical chairs will play out on Tuesday when voters decide who will fill three seats in the Texas House and one in the Senate. Full Story
![State Reps. José Menéndez (left) and Trey Martinez Fischer, both Democrats from San Antonio, are seeking the Texas Senate seat vacated by Leticia Van de Putte, who is running for mayor of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Expected to Renew Push for Ethics Reform
Advocates for ethics reform say Gov. Greg Abbott has a rare chance to help spearhead improved lawmaker disclosures and reduce conflicts of interest. Abbott is expected to address ethics reform Tuesday in his State of the State address. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
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Watson Wants More Disclosure of Wining and Dining
Sen. Kirk Watson has filed three bills that would close a gaping loophole in state ethics law — one that allows lobbyists to avoid naming names when they fill out their mandatory spending and entertainment reports. Full Story
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![Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, debates changes that would affect the so-called "two-thirds rule" in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Tension Goes Beyond Border Security
After Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a proposal to extend the National Guard's stay along the Texas-Mexico border, House Speaker Joe Straus said in effect that such power lies with Gov. Greg Abbott. That's not the only issue causing a potential House-Senate divide. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: The Big Three
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the Big Three: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Feb. 15, 2015.]()
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Roundup: Guns, Tolls and Emergency Preparedness
In the Roundup: Lawmakers listen to hours of testimony on two pieces of gun legislation, toll bill snafus affect thousands of Texans, and a Senate bill would better prepare the state to handle infectious disease emergencies. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn -
Video: Otto on Tax Relief
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, talked about the prospect of property and business tax relief. Full Story
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Video: Otto on Public Ed Funding
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, talked about the need to fix the state's method of school finance. Full Story
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Video: Otto on Border Security Funding
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, explained why the House's lower proposed allocation for border security funding is more conservative than the Senate's. Full Story
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Video: Powers Addresses Admissions Report Findings
At a press conference on Thursday, University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers responded to an external review that shows he helped secure college admittance for some students over the objections of the admissions office. Full Story
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Video: Houston & the Lege: Previewing the 84th Session
Full video of our 2/12 lunchtime discussion in Houston on the major policy debates of the 84th Legislature — and what they mean for the state’s largest city and surrounding communities. Full Story
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Democrats Push to Repeal Abortion Waiting Period
They acknowledge they're pushing a boulder up a hill in the conservative Texas Legislature. But three House Democrats remain laser-focused on repealing the 24-hour waiting period for abortion imposed by the state’s 2011 sonogram law. Full Story
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![Abortion rights activists march through downtown Austin on July 1, 2013.]()
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Video: A Conversation With John Otto
Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
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Video: Campbell Takes Reins of Veterans Panel
State Sen. Donna Campbell, who has succeeded Leticia Van de Putte as the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, says her health care background will be an asset in helping the state’s growing population of veterans. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn