This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The Legislature begins its third special session, the 2014 candidates are stirring and House leaders open a new political action committee to pass a constitutional amendment on water.
Transportation
Reporting on roads, transit, infrastructure, and policy shaping travel and mobility across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
Texas Ports of Entry Tapped for Federal Pilot Program
Key ports of entry on the Texas-Mexico border are among those that have been selected for a pilot program that allows local governments to enter into public-private partnerships with Customs and Border Protection.
House Panel Backs New Transportation Funding Plan
A House committee on Thursday held its first hearing in the third special session, and it voted out a transportation funding plan with minor changes from one that failed in the previous special session.
The Polling Center: From Smooth Sailing to Traffic Jam
The regular Texas legislative session was notable for bipartisan coalitions and harmony. The special sessions have been notable for partisan battles and stalemates. To understand what’s going on, just look at the voters.
Route to Deal on Cash for Roads Remains Hazy
Lawmakers hoping to find a viable transportation funding measure in the third special session, which started this week, are looking closely at a plan that failed in the first two special sessions.
The Brief: July 31, 2013
Pleas from lawmakers failed to ward off an immediate third special session on transportation.
The Evening Brief: July 30, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry calls third special session; debate over Capitol confiscations continues; Abbott calls White House’s voting rights push a scheme to turn Texas blue.
Perry Calls Third Special Session, Focuses on Transportation Funding
UPDATED: Just over an hour after lawmakers ended their second 30-day special session of the year, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday called lawmakers back for a third one, with transportation funding the only issue on the agenda.
The Brief: July 30, 2013
A major blow to a transportation plan has left the Legislature teetering on the edge of a third special session.
Transportation Funding Bill Fails in House
A compromise transportation funding plan failed 84-40 in the House on Monday afternoon amid bipartisan opposition. Gov. Rick Perry quickly criticized those who voted against the measure but did not say if he would call a third special session.


