The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
At last Friday's quarterly meeting of the Texas Lyceum, I interviewed Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins about transportation policy and funding at the state and local level. Full Story
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Many lawmakers are quick to name the sacrifices they make to serve. But life in the Lege is not half bad. The perks associated with the job — from exotic trips to luxury gifts — can dramatically augment their lifestyles. Full Story
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This week in the Newsreel: An effort to legalize casinos is under way in the Texas Senate, Attorney General Greg Abbott wants a redistricting bill, and some lawmakers want to give drug tests to recipients of unemployment and TANF benefits. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry called on dedicating future growth in the state’s motor vehicle sales taxes to be used to pay for road projects. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry on Friday said he likes the idea of dedicating a portion of future car sales taxes to road projects and also said he's open to spending up to $6 billion of the Rainy Day Fund on infrastructure projects. Full Story
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Here's the full video of Gov. Rick Perry's keynote address on transportation at The Texas Lyceum's public conference. Full Story
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Full video of my 4/11 TribLive conversation with state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Full Story
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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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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, weighed in on outreach to Latino voters. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, talked about the sudden outbreak of peace and comity in the 83rd legislative session. Full Story
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Under a bill by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, applicants for unemployment benefits could be subject to drug testing if their responses to a questionnaire raise red flags. Full Story
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The CEO of Tesla Motors on his efforts to sell cars directly to Texans, the state's business-friendly reputation and SpaceX's plans to build an orbital launch facility near Brownsville. Full Story
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The House debate on the budget flushed out a new coalition in a Legislature split between traditional and populist Republicans, and Democrats. The losers? The populist Republicans, many of them freshmen. Full Story
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Your evening reading: state Senate OKs drug testing for welfare applicants; after deal reached, Cruz still threatening to filibuster gun bill; "anti-groping" bill back in state House Full Story
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The effort to open casinos in Texas got a hearing from a Texas Senate committee Wednesday, but opposition remains strong and charitable groups that benefit from other games of chance have some concerns, too. Full Story
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Lawmakers haven't ignored transportation this session, but big plans for infrastructure funding may have stalled. Full Story
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UPDATED: The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits. Full Story
UPDATED: The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits. Full Story
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Texas Catholics rallied at the capitol Tuesday for Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day, calling on legislators to tighten abortion restrictions and improve access to health care, among a wide variety of issues. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Senate panel hears impassioned debate over school choice bill; Perry urges Obama to press Mexico to release water to Texas; Cornyn, McCaul file border security measure Full Story
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