85th Texas Legislature Preview

Can the GOP-run House and Senate get along well enough to get anything accomplished?

"...captured the underlying conflict leading into the 85th Texas Legislature, it came on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 5...."

Jan. 13, 2017 News Feature by the News Staff

Legislature Restores Public's Right to Know

Bipartisan public records bill likely to become law

"...to declare unspecified "proprietary" information off-limits for disclosure. Two 2015 decisions, the more famous involving aerospace giant Boeing's dealing..."

May 24, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Women's Health Advocates Brace for "Perfect Storm" at Texas Legislature

Republican lawmakers racing to further restrict abortion access

"...A month before the 87th Texas Legislature gaveled in, Republican lawmakers were already working on how..."

Jan. 15, 2021 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Lege Lines – The Texas Legislature: Not Enron

Passing a state budget when one side’s “cooking the books”

"...Flash back to 2015 for a second, when Texas voters overwhelmingly backed Prop­o­sition..."

March 31, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Bad Science Marches at the Legislature

Anti-vaxxers turn out for Public Health meeting, promise more action

"..."You can't vaccinate against stupid." If you're wondering what..."

March 6, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Welcome to the 2015 Elections

That is, if you live in San Antonio, Bastrop, or Brenham

"...With the 84th Legislature just around the corner, there are still four –..."

Jan. 5, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

The Return of the Lege

State’s 85th Legislature already a battle of House and Senate

"...The 85th Texas Legislature is imminent, but don't expect a simple fight between..."

Jan. 6, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

The Education Session

The Lege takes another run at patching school finance

"...have to take it from another. Yet the 84th Legislature has seen the most serious conversations yet about how..."

May 1, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Balancing the Books After Years of Neglecting Schools

The Texas Legislature wants to fix school finance, but how?

"...fund contributions (an idea killed by the House in 2015), plus Education Savings Accounts, handing up to $9,000 a..."

April 7, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Numbers Don't Lie, Film Rebates Work

Which films and TV shows quit Austin over lack of rebates?

"...With the Legislature's budget arguments almost done, the film, TV, and video-game..."

May 25, 2017 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

Unsettled Business

Lege opens with many unanswered questions

"...the traditional brief outpouring of collegial camaraderie. The 84th Legislature began on Jan. 13 as they all seem to,..."

Jan. 16, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Budget: Artificial Limits

Despite economic boom, Lege looks to restrict spending

"...Every session, the two chambers of the Legislature draft their own state budgets, but the houses alternate..."

Jan. 9, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

State Budget Estimate Up, But Much Already Spent

Texas prepares for second half of grand bait and switch

"...As the Texas Legislature prepares to reconvene tomorrow, there's some good budget news..."

Jan. 7, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

The AggreGAYtor: January 9

What happened today in gay? Here’s your QILTBAG recap of queer news.

"...sets a precedent, Saks gets snowed, and the Texas Legislature considers bad ideas, as your AggreGAYtor gets Cruz'd...."

Jan. 9, 2015 Qmmunity Post by David Estlund

Under Construction

As the session begins, continuity and inexperience are the major questions

"...Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the 84th Legislature enters uncertain territory, with new leadership and an unclear..."

Jan. 9, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Straus Announces House Committees

Lots of seats but no chair positions for reps in Travis County

"...announced House committee appointments and membership for the 85th Legislature. Texas representatives can finally start hearing bills and moving..."

Feb. 9, 2017 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: The 84th Session Begins

News from the first weeks of the 84th legislative session

"...need reminding, he's under indictment for doing so). In 2015, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has stripped its funding from..."

Jan. 23, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Behold the Texas Miracle!

The Texas Miracle has a very mixed record on state prosperity

"...describing their causes and effects, and stoically lobbies the Legislature in support of legislation that would ameliorate the worst..."

March 20, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

Patrick Goes on Offense Post-Session

Patrick reflects on his first term as lite gov

"...While the 84th legislative session ended on Monday, the..."

June 4, 2015 News Post by Brittany Shulman

Texans Protest Film Incentive Cut

Change.org petition demands special session to save program

"...abortion rights, they've become commonplace. But as the Texas Legislature slashes film incentives, there's a call for Gov. Greg..."

May 29, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: Guns, Islamophobia, & Budget Cuts

The Lege takes on guns, Islamophobia, and sets the draft budget

"...Schizophrenic messages are coming out of the Legislature about open carry. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has sent..."

Feb. 6, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

House to Bridge the Road Funding Gap

Lower chamber meeting at 2pm today for third special session

"...of the third special session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, and the House will meet today for another attempt..."

Aug. 5, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Road Funding Screeches to a Halt

Tensions clear between Perry and Straus, Dewhurst and Patrick

"...Technically, the second called special of the 83rd Texas Legislature ends at midnight tonight. But, in reality, they may..."

July 30, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Wiley Aims for Workman

Travis County GOP rep faces primary challenge

"...Now that the regular session of the 84th Legislature is over, primary season is upon us. As of..."

June 19, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: What Would Cole Porter Say?

Indiana's RFRA is an invitation to progressive response

"...reaction under the Capitol dome, where a heavily gerrymandered Legislature remains determined to resist the progressive wave of history..."

April 3, 2015 News Column by Michael King

Lege Lines: Dubious Tax Cuts, Senate Shenan­igans, Twitter Trysts, and More

Business lobby doubts tax cuts, and more from the Capitol

"...this fiscal stunt, the group calls instead for the Legislature to take the "healthy surplus" in the current budget..."

March 13, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Bill of the Week

Legislator wants lawyers for "the unborn"

"...Filed: Feb. 25, 2015..."

March 13, 2015 News Column by Mary Tuma

AFT: "Fund Our Schools"

Teachers rally at Capitol in support of schools

"...Weingarten's March 9 visit to Austin was part of..."

March 13, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Turner to Run For Houston Mayor

Lege Dems face another major departure, and an Austin opportunity

"...have been few more consistent faces around the Texas Legislature than Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. Yet there's a good..."

Feb. 21, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: House Committees, Revenue Estimates ... & Snacks

The Lege appoints House Committee members, offers revenue estimates, and ensures lawmakers are well fed

"...billion, plus $110.4 billion in estimated revenue over the 2015-17 biennium. That comes to just under $118 billion, but..."

Feb. 13, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

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