The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our all-new weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-01-10_at_5.57.06_PM_1.png)
On the heels of Kay Bailey Hutchison's announcement that she won't run for another term in the U.S. Senate and rampant speculation that David Dewhurst will run for her seat, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson today walked up to the edge of saying he plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Jerry_Patterson.JPG)
When Andrew Cuomo took office as governor of New York earlier this month, he ordered the removal of the security barricades limiting access to his state’s Capitol. “This Capitol has become a physical metaphor for the isolation and alienation of our people,” he said in his inauguration speech. He could easily have been talking about Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/cbm_7280.jpg)
Texas produces more law school graduates than it has jobs for. But that hasn’t stopped some lawmakers from proposing that the state build a new law school in the Valley. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LuceoIII.jpg)
Minutes after learning of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's decision not to seek re-election, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst demurred when asked whether he would run for her seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-01-13_at_3.33.19_PM.png)
In our TribLive conversation this morning, state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, spoke frankly about the certainty that state employees would be cut as part of the Legislature's solution to the budget shortfall — and he said furloughs for employees who aren't cut may be ordered as well. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/PittsExplainsItAll.jpg)
Trib CEO Evan Smith spent the morning interviewing House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, at a TribLive event. And Pitts made some news. Here are a few headlines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d97b31d86f61c5cda9ba4507fcbb631/TT%20Event%20Pitts%2005%202011)
In our session kickoff edition of the TribCast, Ross, Elise, Ben and Reeve discuss the state's budget morass, so-called "sanctuary city" legislation and their impressions of the newly sworn-in Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)
State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, announced Wednesday she had filed legislation to make the sale, manufacture and possession of fake marijuana, commonly referred to as K2, illegal. The bill, SB 331, would outlaw six synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4a2363ecf0ccf3d322ecc544636f1bf7/.Man%20Smokes%20Marijuana)
Ever hear something about Texas politics or policy and wonder what it is? Or read something that made you think, "I have no idea what that means"? We're here to help. From questions about why Rick Perry is within his legal right to shoot a coyote while jogging to what the heck "chubbing" is, Texplainer will answer your burning questions. Today: "What's a Legislative emergency item?" Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/texplainer-sponsoredTAMU.png)
The Sunset Advisory Commission today unanimously recommended consolidating the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission into one single youth justice division. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/103109_txyouthcommision001_jv.png)
Opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session was heavy on pomp and circumstance and light on substance. But, amid the hand shaking and picture taking and protesting Tea Partiers, there was business to be done. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/cbm_4660.jpg)
A view of 2011's opening day over time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/cbm_4660.jpg)
In our latest HuTube video blog post, we take you to the Texas House on day one of the 82nd Legislative session. Come with us as we go through the new security system, visit with lawmakers and witness the election of the House Speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-01-11_at_6.30.39_PM.png)
Hispanic members of the Texas House responded swiftly to Gov. Rick Perry designating abolishing "sanctuary" cities a legislative emergency. “Instead of leading us through a $27 billion dollar budget shortfall that is poised to cripple our schools, our communities and the public health system, we are chasing ghosts,” said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Perry_Speech.jpg)
State Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, speaks on the opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session about his withdrawal from the race for Texas House Speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-01-11_at_6.03.01_PM.png)
Our new transcripts of House and Senate floor proceedings, which we're planning to continue all session, give everyone the ability to search what elected officials say — but also to visualize their words. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/straus-speaker-speech.PNG)
And they're back! Texas lawmakers returned to Austin on Tuesday to launch the 82nd Texas Legislature. Our reporters were there and produced this live play-by-play. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CapitolDome.jpg)
State Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, is dropping his challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus and will vote for the incumbent when the House convenes later today, he said in a letter released this morning. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3130c9670fc2165857973909a8082e27/BD%20INC%20Warren%20Chisum%20001%202010)
The Texas Legislature today starts its 140-day effort to puzzle out a massive budget deficit, political redistricting, immigration and a slew of other gnarly problems. The budget issues came into focus Monday with new numbers from the comptroller, who says the state is recovering, slowly, from the recession. But first, legislators will get organized, voting on new rules, a new Speaker, and getting sworn in. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Straus_Happy.jpg)