At our TribLive conversation at the University of Texas at El Paso on 11/16, state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, and state Reps. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, and Dee Margo, R-El Paso, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session.
82nd Legislative Session
TribLive: Dewhurst on Straus vs. MQS
At this week’s TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst weighed in on the brewing battle over spending cuts between Speaker Joe Straus and conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan.
Austin Officials Announce Crackdown on Wage Theft
Officials in Austin, Houston, El Paso and San Juan announced plans today intended to make employers aware of a key change in the law passed by the Legislature designed to elevate the importance of prosecuting wage theft.
TribLive: McCall on the 82nd Session
At this week’s TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall — a former state lawmaker — reflected on his first legislative session out of office in two decades.
Flying the Flag
Early voting is underway and has been since October 24, but it’s not easy to prove it.
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 104
This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Ben and Jim pore over the new UT/TT poll, review Gov. Rick Perry’s viral video, and consider the recent statements of Speaker Joe Straus.
Some GOP Hopefuls for Texas House Pick Education Message
At least some Republican 2012 primary candidates for the Texas House hope to trade the anti-government cries of the last election cycle for a message with a decidedly different focus: the state of Texas public schools.
Anti-Tax Groups Oppose Constitutional Amendments
Texas voters started going to the polls this week to decide whether to add 10 amendments to the state’s massive Constitution, potentially taking the total number of amendments to 477. A few of them have drawn the ire of anti-tax groups.
TribLive: Combs on 82nd Session Budget Cuts
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about the billions cut from the state budget during the last legislative session — and whether kicking the can down the road on health care costs was a sound financial decision.
Straus Releases Interim Charges for House Committees
House Speaker Joe Straus has released the interim charges that will direct the work of the lower chamber’s legislative committees for the next 11 months — and lawmakers will be busy.

