House Democrats Applaud Senate's Budget Delay
House Democrats are applauding the Senate's delay in taking up what they call a “woefully inadequate” appropriations bill. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Combs: "I Am Responsible" for Security Breach
Comptroller Susan Combs now says she takes full responsibility for the data exposure. Some of her initial comments criticized the agencies that sent the data to her office. Today she says, "We're the last door. We're it. And as head of the agency, I am responsible." Full Story
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TribLive: Powers and Loftin Oppose Campus Carry
At this morning's TribLive conversation, UT President Bill Powers and A&M President Bowen Loftin explained why they oppose legislation that would allow concealed hanguns on college campuses. Full Story
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David Dewhurst: The TT Interview
With less than five weeks left to go in the session, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst sat down with the Tribune to talk about his future political plans, the status of the budget in the Senate and in the biennial parley between the Senate and the House, redistricting and the tug-of-war over the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Ogden: How to Finance Budget Holding Up Vote
Senators left a meeting this morning looking no closer to an agreement on the budget — and Finance Chair Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said the method of financing it remains the sticking point. Full Story
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Texas House Gives Initial OK to Redistricting Plan
The Texas House tentatively approved new political districts early this morning on a 92-52 vote after hours of nips and tucks that left the proposal they started with mostly intact. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 77
In this episode of the TribCast, Evan, Reeve, Ben and Mark chatter about Leo Berman, David Simpson, Jeff Wentworth and David Dewhurst. Full Story
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Senate Budget Debate Stalls Over Vote Count
Waiting for the Senate budget debate? Get comfortable. Plans to bring the Senate’s substitute for the House’s budget, HB 1, up for a vote on the floor on Thursday have for now been pushed back to Friday or later, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texplainer: What's a Third Reading?
The first reading is just an introduction, the second reading is when the action happens, and the third reading is for final passage. Full Story
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Dewhurst Makes Budget Pitch to Senators
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, trying to build enough support to bring the budget up for consideration this week, appealed in writing to state senators, supporting the plan and a provision that would allow the state to spend $3 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Texplainer: What Does It Cost to Fight Texas Wildfires?
As the wildfires have worsened, costs have mounted at a rate of over $1 million per day. The state will pay the majority, though local governments and the feds will also pay a share. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Wentworth Surprises Senate With Campus Carry
State Sen. Jeff Wentworth surprised his colleagues and brought the Senate to a standstill today when he tried to tack his controversial campus carry bill onto another measure. Full Story
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Redistricting Maps Move Front and Center in the House
Texas state representatives will choose their voters today — grabbing the ones they want, ditching the ones they don't — as the decennial drawing of political maps reaches the floor of the House. Full Story
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Technicality Slays House Bill on Class Sizes — for Now
The House was set to debate a bill that would scrap a 27-year-old law mandating a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio in kindergarten through fourth grade today — but before it got the chance, state Rep. Borris Miles, D-Houston, derailed the legislation with a point of order. Full Story
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House Tentatively Passes Ban on Sugary Drinks at Schools
House Bill 127 would make middle and high school students leave campus if they want to satisfy their soda fix. Full Story
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Bill to Test Rape Kits Comes With Big Price Tag
Thousands of untested rape kits could be examined for DNA evidence, but a bill considered today by a Senate panel carries a hefty price tag. The result could be that the boxes remain stacked on shelves in police storage rooms across the state. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Perry: "No Faith" In LBB; Leave Rainy Day Fund Alone
Gov. Rick Perry says he is unswayed by estimates that the state's Rainy Day Fund may end up being more flush than previously anticipated and blasted the Legislature's budget office as an unreliable source of numbers. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Outside Group Wants Investigation Into Data Exposure
The Texas attorney general and the FBI are already investigating the accidental release of personal information by the comptroller's office. Now, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, an outside group wants to start its own investigation. Full Story
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House Gives Early Nod to Puppy Mill Bill
Dog breeders would be regulated for the first time in Texas under a bill the House tentatively approved today. Full Story
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Texas Senate to the Feds: Pay for Border Security
Dear federal government: Texas needs help covering the cost of border security. Signed, the Texas Senate. A resolution adopted by the state Senate today is intended to send a message to Washington demanding more action on illegal immigration. Full Story
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Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune
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