state government

It's Opening Day for the 84th Legislature

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 13, 2015

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

Credit: Anneke Paterson
Former Abbott Deputy Named Insurance Commissioner

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Jan. 12, 2015

A deputy from former Attorney General Greg Abbott's office will be running the Texas Department of Insurance, Gov. Rick Perry's office announced Monday. But he appears to just be a temporary replacement for outgoing Commissioner Julia Rathgeber. Full Story

Credit: Anneke Paterson
Agriculture Commissioner Grants Amnesty to Cupcakes in First Official Act

By Eva Hershaw Jan. 12, 2015

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

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Education Chairman Calls for School Finance Discussion

By Morgan Smith Jan. 12, 2015

State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, says Texas lawmakers shouldn't wait for the outcome of a sprawling school finance lawsuit to discuss changes to the state's public education funding system. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Video: Huffman and Watson on Dan Patrick

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2015

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
Video: Huffman and Watson on Open Carry

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2015

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 proposed gun legislation in the 84th session. Full Story
Video: Huffman and Watson on the Two-Thirds Rule

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2015

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 the likely fate of the two-thirds rule. Full Story
Video: A Conversation With Huffman and Watson

By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2015

Full video of my 1/12 conversation with state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses. Full Story
Video: Hegar Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate

By Justin Dehn Jan. 12, 2015

Here's video of Comptroller Glenn Hegar speaking Monday about the Biennial Revenue Estimate, the amount of revenue available for the Legislature to spend in the 2016-17 state budget. Full Story
Analysis: For Session, a Mix of New Faces and a Heavy Dose of Suspense

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 12, 2015

Another legislative session is starting, with a twist. Texans, accustomed to the same players in the same offices for years and years, will see something new as this unfolds: change. Full Story

Credit: Anneke Paterson for The Texas Tribune
The Playlist: Brand New Day

By John Jordan Jan. 10, 2015

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

Credit: Graphic by John Jordan
HHSC Revamping Rules After Paying for Janek Aide's MBA

By Terri Langford Jan. 9, 2015

The embattled agency on Friday promised reforms, after confirming a Tribune finding that an employee with ties to Commissioner Kyle Janek and ousted chief counsel Jack Stick has been pursuing his MBA at taxpayers' expense. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Appeals Judges Raise Doubts on Gay Marriage Ban

By Alexa Ura Jan. 9, 2015

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

Credit: Alexa Ura
Roundup: Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion and Elections

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 9, 2015

This week in the Roundup: The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals weighs in on two Texas cases — one on the state's same-sex marriage ban and another on a provision of the state's new abortion law. Also, three special legislative elections result in runoffs. Full Story
Texas Poised to Cut Some Specialty License Plates

By Eva Hershaw Jan. 8, 2015

If fans of Dr Pepper and the Fort Worth Zoo don't get it in gear, their chance to buy specialty license plates might soon be gone. The Houston Rockets are hanging by a thread. Full Story
Bill Looks to Prevent Gay Marriage From Becoming Legal in Texas

By Bobby Blanchard Jan. 8, 2015

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

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Video: Border Security, Tax Cuts Among Patrick's Priorities

By Alana Rocha Jan. 8, 2015

A few days before the start of the 84th Legislature, Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick laid out a long list of issues he wants to see addressed in the coming session. Among those: maintaining an increased security presence at the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Senate Could Start Fast — and With Fewer Committees

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 7, 2015

The state Senate will start the next session by cutting as many as one third of its committees — and the members of those panels could be named weeks earlier than usual. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Abbott Won't Keep Longtime Texas Music Office Director

By Reeve Hamilton Jan. 7, 2015

Since the Texas Music Office was established a quarter-century ago, the division housed in the Texas governor's office has been run by Casey Monahan, a former music writer. But Gov.-elect Greg Abbott is letting him go. Full Story
Court to Weigh Texas Policies on Abortion and Gay Marriage

By Alexa Ura Jan. 7, 2015

This week, a federal appeals court is set to consider two prominent Texas cases: a legal challenge to the state's strict abortion regulations and an attempt to overturn the state’s longstanding ban on same-sex marriages. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond