The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Hey Texplainer: What happens to the bills that Perry doesn't sign or veto? Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed and signed a multitude of bills this year, but to date there have been 27 he allowed to become law by default. Full Story
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Lawmakers to lobbyists: Butt out of TWIA fight. Full Story
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Lawmakers and consumer groups say special interests need to butt out of the battle over the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Full Story
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Tearful testimony from students brought to the country illegally and a new ICE directive that stresses discretionary enforcement has raised more concerns over the state's pending "sanctuary cities" legislation. Full Story
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This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Thanh, and Ben talk about vetoes, groping, and the imminent end of the special session. Full Story
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Like ringing the bell at the boxing ring, the Senate today approved a bill that is all but certain to restart a brawl with the House over how to reform the state's windstorm insurer of last resort. "I intend to fight for this tougher than I’ve ever fought for anything," said state Sen. John Carona. Full Story
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The Tribune counts down to the end of the special session with updates on where the major issues added to the agenda by Gov. Rick Perry stand. Full Story
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Which groups in Texas believe most strongly that their members of Congress don't represent people "like them"? Liberal and moderate whites. Full Story
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Calling it "absolutely" must-pass legislation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said this afternoon he is working with senators to hammer out a bill to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Full Story
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After public resistance from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Empower Texans, an Austin-based conservative activist group, voters in a suburban Fort Worth school district turned down a 13-cent local tax hike over the weekend. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, defended their 2011 picks. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, explained why no Democrats appeared on the Ten Worst list. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, explained why state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, made the Ten Worst list. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, assessed the performance of Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, defended their 2011 picks. Full Story
At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, defended their 2011 picks. Full Story
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At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story, senior executive editor Paul Burka and senior editor Nate Blakeslee, explained why state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, appears on neither list. Full Story
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For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked about the top-of-the-ticket 2012 and 2014 statewide elections — who's likely to win, and how the dominoes will fall. Full Story
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Like parents threatening to withhold allowance from a misbehaving child, proponents of Senate Bill 9 are warning local authorities across the state: Comply or face the fiscal consequences. Full Story
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Want a quick recap of some of the happenings this week in the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly video rundown of the action under the dome. Full Story
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