The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
On the first day of the 84th Legislature, state lawmakers were sworn into office amidst family and friends. Afterwards, the House re-elected Joe Straus speaker, while the Senate made Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa president pro tempore. Full Story
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A video of a confrontation between open-carry activists and a lawmaker drew attention to the group's tactics on Tuesday. Full Story
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The behavior of open-carry advocates trying to drum up votes for a measure repealing handgun licensing requirements prompted one lawmaker to escort them from his office Monday. Full Story
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As Texas lawmakers convened for the first day of the 2015 legislative session Tuesday, about a dozen activists carrying a variety of firearms gathered in front of the state Capitol to protest gun laws. Full Story
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From the first day of the new legislative session, here's a selection of tweets that journalists, lawmakers and others have shared, along with the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting from the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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We're livestreaming lawmakers in action on their first day in the Capitol, courtesy of the Texas Legislature. Both the House and Senate convene at noon; the House has a speaker's race on the agenda. Full Story
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We've relaunched our Ethics Explorer on day one of the 84th legislative session to show you how elected officials' personal interests might conflict with the public interest. Take a look at incoming lawmakers, judges and members of the SBOE. Full Story
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Got your popcorn ready? The Texas Legislature opens its 84th 140-day regular session today at noon, with ceremonies, a little pomp and a skirmish or two. Here's a look at what's happening today. Full Story
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A historic vote for House speaker could happen on a day long on ceremony otherwise. Full Story
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Tuesday's vote for speaker of the Texas House will provide "a sense of hope" to "the people of America," state Rep. Scott Turner told a small rally of supporters at a La Quinta Inn near the Capitol Monday. Full Story
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In his first official act as Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller granted full amnesty to cupcakes. Miller was seeking to reassure Texas parents that it's legal to bring cupcakes and other treats to school — and that he'll protect that right. Full Story
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At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about what kind of lieutenant governor Dan Patrick will be. Full Story
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Glenn Hegar, the state's new comptroller, today releases his revenue estimate for the next two years, which will go a long way to setting the early tone for the 84th Legislature. Full Story
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With the 84th Legislature starting next week and new faces in every statewide office, it feels like a "Brand New Day" in and around the Capitol, so that's how we started this week's playlist off of the week's news. Full Story
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When he first tried to end the Senate's two-thirds rule eight years ago, Dan Patrick was a neophyte state senator easily brushed aside by tradition-bound colleagues. As lieutenant governor, the odds are a bit more in his favor. Full Story
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Two of three federal appeals judges hearing arguments on Texas' ban on same-sex marriages had tough questions for a state attorney's argument that marriage is a “subsidy” that the state has the right to grant and withhold. Full Story
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Of the two dozen or so politicos floated as serious presidential contenders, an uncanny number have a legitimate Texas connection. Full Story
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The incoming governor on Thursday equated local efforts to regulate single-use plastic bags or fracking to forms of collectivism. Full Story
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Here's video of the "Future of Texas" panel discussion from the Texas Public Policy Foundation's policy orientation forum. Participants included Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Full Story
UPDATED: State or local government employees giving out same-sex marriage licenses would stop receiving their salaries under a bill filed Wednesday for the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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