Texas lawmakers are back for a special session that started the day after their 140-day regular session. That’s something like sprinting to the finish of a long race and having your coach yell, just as you break the tape, “One more lap.”
special sessions
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State Government
“Anti-Groping” Bill May Be Reborn in Special Session
The “anti-groping” bill may not be dead just yet. State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, who authored the original bill, is renewing his quest to uphold the Fourth Amendment in the special session.
Posted in
State Government
Supreme Court Justices Plead for Legal Aid Dollars
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson and Justice Nathan Hecht sent lawmakers a letter Wednesday urging them to find $20 million during the special session to help needy people access civil courts.
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Higher Education
A Second Chance for Campus Construction Projects?
Early in the session, there was much talk about how the time was right to invest in new university campus facilities. But a bill to issue bonds to get projects off the ground never managed to do so itself. Could it get another chance in the special session?
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Demographics
The 82nd Lege Session: The Highlights Reel
The Trib’s multimedia team highlights some of the most memorable — and surprising — moments from the 82nd Legislative Session. Our lawmakers sure do love to make a statement, complete with finger pointing, yelling and props. (Some video courtesy the Texas House, the Texas Senate and legetv.org.)
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State Government
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 82
In this week’s episode, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the end of the regular session, the start of the special session, and what it all means for Sen. Wendy Davis, Gov. Rick Perry and others.
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State Government
Video: GOP Leaders Tout Budget Cuts; Perry Demurs on 2012 Run
Gov. Rick Perry, House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday touted the accomplishments of the regular session: cutting the state budget without raising taxes or tapping the Rainy Day Fund.
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Demographics
Day One, 1st Called Session of the 82nd Legislature
Your lawmakers, after 140 days in Austin, didn’t finish their budget work for 2012-13 during the legislative session that ended Monday, and Gov. Rick Perry called them back for another crack at it, starting this morning.
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Health care
Updated: Perry Gives New Session, With New Rules, Its Agenda
First two items on the call from Gov. Rick Perry: The “non-revenue” and school finance bill, and the Medicaid reforms that were in SB 23. That’s where we start, and the governor can add as we go.
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State Government
Video: GOP Praises Fiscally “Responsible” Session
Republican members of the Texas House reflected on the end of the regular session late Monday. Speaker Joe Straus praised lawmakers for showing “great discipline” and focus, while GOP Caucus Chair Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, warned Democrats they made a “bad strategic” move by pushing for a special session.