Sanctuary Cities Bill Filed for Special Session
A bill that seeks to ban “sanctuary cities” in Texas has been filed for the special session of the Legislature that began today. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Session's End Creates Graveyard of Failed Legislation
The system is meant to kill legislation: That’s the old line often heard around the Capitol. As the session's end slams the coffin door on a slew of bills, more than a few lawmakers are taking solace in the fact that their dead bills have lots of company. Full Story
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Warren Chisum Looks Back at a Life in the Lege
State Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, walked the floor shaking hands and receiving hugs from his colleagues in the waning hours of the 82nd regular session, which — after 22 years in the Texas House — will be his last. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Day One, 1st Called Session of the 82nd Legislature
Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn't finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning. Full Story
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Updated: Perry Gives New Session, With New Rules, Its Agenda
First two items on the call from Gov. Rick Perry: The "non-revenue" and school finance bill, and the Medicaid reforms that were in SB 23. That's where we start, and the governor can add as we go. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: GOP Praises Fiscally "Responsible" Session
Republican members of the Texas House reflected on the end of the regular session late Monday. Speaker Joe Straus praised lawmakers for showing "great discipline" and focus, while GOP Caucus Chair Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, warned Democrats they made a "bad strategic" move by pushing for a special session. Full Story
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House and Senate Adjourn; Special Session to Begin Tuesday
Both the House and Senate have adjourned sine die. But without a school finance deal in the Senate, Gov. Rick Perry is expected to call a special session for 8 a.m. Tuesday. Full Story
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Video: Dems Ready for Special Session
Texas Democrats, unhappy with the GOP budget, discussed possible strategies today for the coming special session. Full Story
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Guest Column: Dems Face Uphill Battle Winning Public Opinion
Republican skepticism about public education spending joined with the governor’s determination to hold the line on spending, including on public education, is likely to carry the day — whether it takes a few hours or 30 more days. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Updated: Dems Say Bring on the Special Session
House and Senate Democrats said today a special session would bring transparency to the school finance process and a greater awareness of how the deep funding cuts to government services will affect Texans' daily lives. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: "She Raised A Hurdle. That's Her Call."
Gov. Rick Perry talked this morning about the late-night filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, that kept the upper chamber from voting on SB 1811, a critical piece of the budget puzzle. Full Story
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Summer School Ahead for Texas Legislators
Lawmakers were hoping to get out of Austin with their business done, without the prospect of a special session this summer. Fat chance. Full Story
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The HB 1 Apostates Explain Themselves
Several members of the Legislature bucked their parties Saturday night in voting for or against the state budget. In their own words, here's why. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Intelligence: In the Race for President...
For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked some questions about the governor's flirtation with a presidential run and about the Legislature's decision not to take on congressional redistricting. Full Story
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Sh*t My Legislator Said: A Quiz
As the 82nd regular session comes to a close, we pause a moment to remember some of the more notable statements of the last 140 days. And we invite you to join us by taking a special quiz we've created to commemorate the occasion. Full Story
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Guest Column: The Case for Family Planning Funding
This session we have seen an all out assault on women's health driven by the erroneous assumption that family planning is synonymous with abortion. Full Story
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Liveblog: A Make-or-Break Day for the Budget
With less than two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers set out to pay for the budget by passing SB 1811. Without it, the budget doesn't balance and lawmakers will be forced to come back in a special session. It passed in the House, but was undone by a Senate filibuster. Full Story
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Updated: Windstorm Negotiations Fail
The marathon negotiations over the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association failed to produce a bill, probably prompting a special session later this summer over that issue. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway
The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting. Full Story
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Liveblog: Lege Passes Budget Cuts of $15 Billion
Texas lawmakers passed a two-year state budget on Saturday that cuts $15.2 billion from current spending — most of that in health and human services — but avoids increased taxes and leaves $6.5 billion untouched in the state's Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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