The Brief: Jan. 14, 2013
Vanquished in his fight to unseat House Speaker Joe Straus, state Rep. David Simpson isn't backing down. Full Story
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News App: Exploring Lawmakers' Personal Financial Interests
The Lawmaker Explorer is a first-of-its-kind interactive tool that gives Texans a window into the personal interests of their state legislators. It is the linchpin of the Tribune's Bidness as Usual project, a session-long look at ethics and transparency in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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A Part-Time Legislature, but in Whose Interest?
With a lacking conflict disclosure system, virtually toothless ethics laws and a Legislature historically unwilling to make itself more transparent, Texans know little about who or what influences the people elected to represent them. Full Story
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Texas Weekly Newsreel: Opening Days
The kickoff of the 83rd legislative session packed few surprises. The Texas Senate voted on rules, Joe Straus won without breaking a sweat, Comptroller Susan Combs announced the state budget forecast and Gov. Rick Perry laid out his priorities for the 140-day session. Full Story
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David Simpson: The TT Interview
On Friday afternoon, the Republican state representative from Longview talked about why he ran for speaker, the real reason he quit the race and what happens next. Full Story
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Lawmakers Talk of Bold Measures This Session
Momentum is growing for Texas lawmakers to commit large amounts of money to address the state's long-term infrastructure needs, particularly water and transportation. Full Story
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His Job Safe, Straus Now Faces Session's Hurdles
After successfully fending off another challenge to his speakership, Joe Straus faces a tough task in the session. He will have to tackle issues that have been thorny for Republicans in the past, without further alienating the far right. Full Story
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Getting a Closer Look at the Makeup of the Lege
The state Legislature is diverse in some ways and homogenous in others. Here's a look at Texas' 83rd class of lawmakers, from their employment and higher education to their age, gender and demographics. Full Story
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Dire Budget Estimate Fit With Prevailing Politics
The two-year-old revenue forecast used to justify massive cuts in the current state budget was wrong — and not by a little bit. But the conservative Legislature elected in 2010 wasn't complaining. Full Story
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State of Mind: Mental Health Focus for Harris County
Law enforcement is working to make sure lawmakers know an investment in mental health services is an investment in public safety. Full Story
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In Pitching Tax Relief, Perry Points Finger at Washington
In a speech calling for tax cuts in the new legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday bashed the federal government for its "irresponsible" spending decisions and praised Texas' fiscal restraint. Full Story
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State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness
Midland educators say the one-size-fits-all college readiness plan has run its course. They're working with area lawmakers to push legislation that would allow districts to offer different curriculum tracks, to better prepare students for the next step in their careers. Full Story
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State of Mind: Coastal Texans Mobilizing to Reform TWIA
Instead of complaining about steep rate hikes and confusing building codes, Texas coastal residents say they'll outline ways to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association in the 83rd Legislature. Full Story
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State of Mind: The Fight to Restore Healthcare Cuts
Doctors in the Rio Grande Valley are leading the charge to restore cuts made during the 2011 legislative session. They want lawmakers to once again make it so that Medicare and Medicaid benefits add up to 100-percent of dual eligible patients' bills. They're expecting a fight. Full Story
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State of Mind: State Water Woes
People in parts of West Texas know that lawmakers can't make it rain, but they hope that the legislators they send to Austin can find funding for a statewide water plan to ease the drought pain in the coming session. Several state leaders are vowing to find the money. Full Story
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State of Mind: Medicaid HMO Reforms
Put in place 10 months ago to save the state $385 million, many doctors in the Rio Grande Valley say Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs, are limiting patients' access to care. The Texas Medical Association is among those hoping the 83rd Legislature can find ways to streamline the current system. Full Story
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After Positive Economic News, Push for Tax Cuts Emerges
Texas lawmakers may have $29 billion more to spend on the state budget this session than they did in 2011. Now, Gov. Rick Perry is floating the idea of tax cuts. Full Story
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Dewhurst: Set Money Aside for School Lawsuits
In a wide-ranging interview, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about the state budget, education, immigration, water, transportation, and his hopes and plans for the legislative session that began this week. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 10, 2013
With lawmakers' plans for the legislative session still taking shape, state leaders on Wednesday touted one issue they've already made a priority: lowering taxes. Full Story
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Bill Would Ban "Double-Dipping" by Politicians
State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, says he’s found the perfect way for elected officials to put their money where there mouths are when it comes to exercising fiscal restraint: ban "double-dipping" by politicians. Full Story
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