Does Texas need a constitutional cap on spending growth to protect it from the whims of future lawmakers or save it from the current ones? Supporters of the proposal are at odds.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Health care
Newsreel: Simpson for Speaker, Perry Backs “Fetal Pain” Bill
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: State Rep. David Simpson is officially running for House speaker, but some former opponents of current Speaker Joe Straus are now sticking with the incumbent.
Posted in
Economy
Tax Incentives Could Prove Divisive For GOP
Republican leaders like to say government should just get out of the way and let the private sector do work its unfettered magic. But during the session, they may have a hard time squaring their stated philosophy with their support for tax giveaways to private industry.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bill Renews Debate on Merging Top Two Courts
State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond has filed a bill to abolish the Court of Criminal Appeals and bring all of its related cases under the Texas Supreme Court. He’s triggering a debate that goes all the way back to Reconstruction.
Posted in
State Government
Now What? Capitol Press Vets Look Ahead
On Nov. 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four veteran members of the Capitol press corps to forecast the coming controversies in the 83rd session.
Posted in
Health care
Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session
On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session.
Posted in
State Government
Would GOP Balk if Dems Back Bid to Oust Straus?
Speaker Joe Straus won his leadership post with the support of Democrats — which gives some conservatives fits. If his just-announced challenger, David Simpson, builds a similar bipartisan coalition, can he hold on to conservative support?
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State Government
For Donors, the Political Season Comes to an End
The “late train” — the rush of supplicants making kiss-and-make-up contributions after an election — ended this weekend with the beginning of a blackout that outlaws political donations during a legislative session.
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State Government
Lawmakers’ Bills Target Perceived Overreach by Federal Government
Two bills filed by lawmakers recently seek to restrict the actions of federal agencies in Texas. Lawmakers say the bills are meant to stand up for Texans’ freedom, but federal agencies say practices targeted by the bills keep people safe.
Posted in
State Government
New Caucus Seeks to Work for Younger Texans
Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, is leading an effort to create the Texas Young Legislators Caucus, a bipartisan group that plans to focus on issues that affect Texans under 40 and hopes to engage young people in the legislative process.