The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
As thousands of protesters descended on the state Capitol in an effort to protect access to abortions in Texas, Republican leaders vowed not to quit until they’ve approved far tighter restrictions on the procedure. Full Story
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On Friday night, the Trib's Alana Rocha and other veteran Capitol reporters discussed the crazy news week that was, including a monumental Supreme Court decision and the tumultuous end of the special session. Full Story
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As thousands descended on the Capitol for the opening day of the second special session, they snapped a lot of photos. Here is an unfiltered stream of Instagram pics location-tagged in and around the Capitol building. Full Story
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On Tuesday, the last day of the first special session, those of us sitting in the Senate gallery observed rules of decorum — until we saw that senators were breaking their own procedural rules. Full Story
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While much attention has been paid to the political conflict on the floor of the Texas Senate last week, the subtleties of public opinion on abortion in Texas framed the clash in the upper chamber. Full Story
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What happened last Tuesday was started by an "unruly bunch" — the people who were controlling the Senate that night, flouting rules, chucking tradition and ignoring common sense to get their way. Full Story
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The "gallery filibuster" last Tuesday — when loud demonstrations made it impossible for senators to vote on anti-abortion legislation — wasn't democracy in action. It was mob rule. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, wrapped up a week in the national spotlight with appearances on the network affiliate Sunday talk shows. Full Story
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Less than a week after their screams derailed a vote on a new abortion law, reproductive rights advocates are getting organized for the special session. But when proceedings begin anew on Monday, state leaders will be better prepared. Full Story
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After reviewing video from Tuesday's filibuster, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst — who also spoke at a Right to Life conference on Saturday — said he found no evidence that the media incited "unruly" behavior from activists in the Senate gallery. Full Story
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One of the most powerful Republicans in Texas, House Speaker Joe Straus, said Friday that Gov. Rick Perry’s controversial remarks about Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis were inappropriate and damaging to the GOP brand. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry on Friday morning defended his comments about state Sen. Wendy Davis, saying he was "sad that she does not understand that every life is precious, certainly her own." Full Story
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Texas Democrats had a big win on a big stage Tuesday night. Can they keep it going? Full Story
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When efforts by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, and other Senate Democrats to run out the clock on an abortion bill fell short, protesters made enough noise to grind the Senate chamber to a halt. Full Story
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One of the three people who were arrested in the wake of Tuesday night's Senate abortion debate said DPS officers did not overstep their bounds. Full Story
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Citing the need for "authentic conservative leadership" in Texas, state Sen. Dan Patrick announced on Thursday that he would run for lieutenant governor against incumbent David Dewhurst. Full Story
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Who was the woman talking into the Senate presiding officer's ear during the filibuster watched around the world? Parliamentarians offer nonpartisan and confidential advice about legislative rules and practice. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry went after rising Democratic star Wendy Davis on Thursday, saying the Texas senator’s fierce advocacy of abortion rights shows that she did not “learn from her own example’’ as a single mother. Full Story
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Watch live as Gov. Rick Perry addresses the National Right to Life convention in Dallas. He's scheduled to go on at about 10:30 a.m. Full Story
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Republicans in the state Senate looked like tourists who wandered into a hostile neighborhood after liberal activists helped derail an abortion bill. But they are still in the driver's seat in the second special session. Full Story
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