Senate Panel Approves Omnibus Abortion Bill
UPDATED: After hearing impassioned testimony, a Senate committee has given tentative approval to an omnibus abortion regulation bill. The legislation now goes to the full Senate. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Jennifer Whitney -
Senate Backs Interim Maps Over Democrats' Objections
Though Senate Democrats argued that their objections and the testimony from public hearings were being ignored, the Texas Senate approved redistricting maps Friday. Full Story
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Perry Signs Unemployment Drug-Testing Bill
Gov. Rick Perry has signed into law Senate Bill 21, a measure that will subject Texans applying for unemployment benefits to a drug test if their responses to a screening questionnaire indicate possible drug use. Full Story
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![A medical technician handles and prepares urine sample to be tested for drugs at a small medical clinic in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Special Session for Self-Made Emergencies
Special sessions are for emergencies — for finding solutions to problems that can't wait for the next regular session. Sometimes, the emergencies are beyond anyone's control. Sometimes, like now, they're manufactured in Austin. Full Story
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Rivers Tested by Drought, Population Growth
As the drought continues to blanket most of the state, demands for water are increasing from a growing population and industrial base. These pressures are squeezing Texas waterways, whose average streamflow remains well below normal. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato -
The Brief: June 14, 2013
Lawmakers' special session to-do list grew fourfold this week, but according to Gov. Rick Perry, it's not getting any bigger. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: Inside Texas Monthly's Best & Worst List
Full video of Thursday's TribLive conversation about Texas Monthly's list of the Best and Worst Legislators, with Paul Burka, Erica Grieder, Sonia Smith and Brian D. Sweany. Full Story
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Perry: No Time to Expand Session Agenda
With the special session set to end in less than two weeks, Gov. Rick Perry said there's no more time to add items to the agenda. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry signs House Bill 308 which allows public school students and staff to use traditional holiday greetings and display religious symbols on school property. He was joined by bill author Rep. Dwayne Bohac R-Houston, Bahac's son Reagan, Sen. Robert Nichols as well as several Santa's, Rabbi Zev Johnson and cheerleaders from Kountze High School - June 13, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Push to Add Gun Bills to Special Session Unsuccessful
UPDATED: Some lawmakers and lobbyists had been pushing for gun-related bills to be added to the special session agenda. But Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday that with time ticking away, the agenda call could not be expanded. Still, gun advocates say the importance of their legislation hasn't withered. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
"Kumbaya Session" Poised to Be a Distant Memory
After a relatively calm regular session, Gov. Rick Perry is flexing his partisan muscles as the special session presses on. Redistricting, abortion-related issues and a threat to cut off state funding for the Public Integrity Unit are ratcheting up tensions. Full Story
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![The Texas Tribune Festival 2012 Opening Session: A Conversation with Gov. Rick Perry and Evan Smith, Sept. 21, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Abortion-Related Legislation Added to Special Session Agenda
The special session's agenda now includes the hot-button issue of abortion — which is sure to spark partisan warfare. Gov. Rick Perry also ordered the Legislature to take up a measure dealing with sentences for 17-year-olds convicted of capital felonies. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Anti-Fraud Unit Would Be Hobbled by Funding Cut, Director Says
Gov. Rick Perry would deal a "huge blow" to prosecutors who handle public fraud and corruption cases if he carries out a threat to end state funding for the state's public integrity unit, the unit's director said. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Bid for Smoking Ban Flames Out Once Again
With legislation to ban smoking in public workplaces failing for the fourth legislative session in a row, proponents and critics say they are ready for another face-off in 2015. Full Story
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Feint Disguised as a Special Higher Ed Oversight Committee
For higher education followers, one of the great lingering mysteries of the 83rd session is the fate of a special committee that was formed to examine governance issues at the University of Texas System. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Expands Special Session Agenda to Include Transportation Funding
Gov. Rick Perry on Monday added transportation funding to the agenda of the special session. He said Texas' transportation network is facing added pressure because of the state's growing economy and population. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Representatives Ask Perry to Add Tuition Revenue Bonds
Nearly half of the members of the Texas House are asking Gov. Rick Perry to add tuition revenue bonds for campus construction to the agenda of the current special session. Full Story
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![A new area of UTMB being built to higher standards in Galveston Monday, April 22, 2013.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Amid Criticism, Perry Defends State Budget
Gov. Rick Perry is pushing back against conservative critics who say the state budget is growing too fast. Perry is still analyzing the budget legislation, but his defense of it was the clearest signal yet that he plans to sign the two-year, $197 billion appropriations bill into law. Full Story
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Perry Takes Job Raid, Ad Buy to the Big Apple
Gov. Rick Perry will start spreading the news of his state's strong economy to the Big Apple on Monday. A $1 million ad campaign, dwarfing previous buys in California and Illinois, is aimed at convincing businesses to bring jobs here. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Newsreel: Redistricting, Recess and Rejection
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Lawmakers said it would take seven to 10 days to deal with redistricting during the special session, and that turned out to be wildly optimistic. Full Story
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UT System Prepares for Its Newest Member
As soon as Gov. Rick Perry signs Senate Bill 24, which creates a new university in the Rio Grande Valley, "the real work begins," says University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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