GOVERNMENT | The Texas Tribune

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<header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/government/">GOVERNMENT</a><a class="subsection_toggle"><i class="icon-caret-down"></i></a></h1><ul class="subsection_menu"><li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/government/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/government/legislature/">Legislature</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/government/state-agencies/">State Agencies</a></li></ul><script> $(window).load(function () { $('.subsection_toggle').click(function(e){ e.preventDefault(); $('.subsection_menu').slideToggle('fast', function() {}); }); }); </script></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/state-mind-banning-texting-behind-wheel/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/TT-state-of-mind-hand-held-device_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/TT-state-of-mind-hand-held-device_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/state-mind-banning-texting-behind-wheel/">Proponents Renew Their Bid to Put Brakes on Texting While Driving</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> and <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 20 Jan 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-01-20 06:00"> Jan. 20, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>For the fifth straight legislative session, Texas lawmakers will consider bills proposing a statewide ban on texting while driving. A difference of opinions among the state’s new leadership could stand in the legislation's way. This is the second in our eight-part State of Mind video series.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/state-mind-banning-texting-behind-wheel/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> <aside class="related"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h2>Related</h2> </header> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/">State of Mind: A Look Back at the 83rd Session</a></li> </ul> </aside> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/Ocean_of_Seats_01_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/Ocean_of_Seats_01_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: John Jordan</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 20, 2015</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 20 Jan 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-01-20 05:59"> Jan. 20, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Festivities are the order of the day as the state's newest governor and lieutenant governor are sworn in.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/12/Abbott_Patrick_Inauguration_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/12/Abbott_Patrick_Inauguration_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/">Pomp and Circumstance to Usher in New Era</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:51:14 -0600" title="2015-01-19 21:51"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Gov.-elect </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> and Lt. Gov.-elect </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a><span> will officially drop the "elect" from their titles on Tuesday during an elaborate daylong inauguration celebration that has been months in the making.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/05/TexTrib-Hispanics-006_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/05/TexTrib-Hispanics-006_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/">Mexican Governors Won't Be at Abbott Inaugural</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:49:27 -0600" title="2015-01-19 15:49"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/comments/"><span class="value">35</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Mexican governors attended the gubernatorial inaugurations of Ann Richards, George W. Bush and Rick Perry. But in a break with tradition, they won't be in Austin when Gov.-elect <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott </a>takes his oath of office. <span><br/></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 20, 2015</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 20 Jan 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-01-20 05:59"> Jan. 20, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/Ocean_of_Seats_01_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/Ocean_of_Seats_01_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: John Jordan</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">On the day before Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounds the podium where the next governor and lieutenant governor will be sworn in.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Festivities are the order of the day as the state's newest governor and lieutenant governor are sworn in.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/20/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/">Pomp and Circumstance to Usher in New Era</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:51:14 -0600" title="2015-01-19 21:51"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/12/Abbott_Patrick_Inauguration_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/12/Abbott_Patrick_Inauguration_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 19, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Gov.-elect </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> and Lt. Gov.-elect </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a><span> will officially drop the "elect" from their titles on Tuesday during an elaborate daylong inauguration celebration that has been months in the making.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/pomp-and-circumstance-usher-new-abbott-era/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/">Mexican Governors Won't Be at Abbott Inaugural</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:49:27 -0600" title="2015-01-19 15:49"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/comments/"><span class="value">35</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/05/TexTrib-Hispanics-006_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/05/TexTrib-Hispanics-006_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Mexican governors attended the gubernatorial inaugurations of Ann Richards, George W. Bush and Rick Perry. But in a break with tradition, they won't be in Austin when Gov.-elect <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott </a>takes his oath of office. <span><br/></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/mexican-governors-wont-be-abbotts-inauguration/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/">Government Salary Database Updated</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, Noah Seger and Gerald Rich </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 9 Oct 2012 06:00:00 -0500" title="2012-10-09 06:00"> Oct. 9, 2012 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Steven Leggett</cite> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/analysis-new-guys-and-election-four-years-away/">Analysis: The New Guys and an Election That's Four Years Away</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-01-19 06:00"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/analysis-new-guys-and-election-four-years-away/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/analysis-new-guys-and-election-four-years-away/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8175trio_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov.-elect Greg Abbott (left), Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht are shown in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2015, the first day of the 84th Legislative Session."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_F5U8175trio_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov.-elect Greg Abbott (left), Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht are shown in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2015, the first day of the 84th Legislative Session." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov.-elect Greg Abbott (left), Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht are shown in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2015, the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Sure, it's early to talk about the 2018 governor's race. But think about this legislative session and the new faces in state offices and the issues that are developing: This is what you'll be looking back on when that 2018 race starts to form.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/analysis-new-guys-and-election-four-years-away/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 19, 2015</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 19 Jan 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-01-19 05:59"> Jan. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7957Abbott_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Greg Abbott visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7957Abbott_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Greg Abbott visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Greg Abbott visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>With <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/david-dewhurst/">David Dewhurst</a> leaving town, the spotlight shines fully this week on incoming Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/18/inside-texas-politics-new-lieutenant-governor/">Inside Texas Politics: A New Lieutenant Governor</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 18 Jan 2015 12:44:59 -0600" title="2015-01-18 12:44"> Jan. 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/18/inside-texas-politics-new-lieutenant-governor/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/18/inside-texas-politics-new-lieutenant-governor/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/18/Ross_Inside_Jan_18_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Jan. 18, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/18/Ross_Inside_Jan_18_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Jan. 18, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: WFAA</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Jan. 18, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>This week's edition of WFAA-TV's </span><em>Inside Texas Politics </em>with<span> host Jason Whitely, the </span><em>Fo</em><em>rt Worth Star-Telegram'</em><span>s Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey leads off with an interview with <span>Lt. Gov.-elect </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/18/inside-texas-politics-new-lieutenant-governor/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/report-prosecutors-dropped-probe-after-perry-veto/">Prosecutor: Perry Veto Forced End to Several Contract Cases</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> and <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:15:18 -0600" title="2015-01-17 11:15"> Jan. 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/report-prosecutors-dropped-probe-after-perry-veto/comments/"><span class="value">38</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/report-prosecutors-dropped-probe-after-perry-veto/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/14/RoesmaryPerry_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg refused to step down after her April 2013 drunken driving arrest, and Gov. Rick Perry vetoed funding for the public integrity unit, which is housed in the Travis County DA's office."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/14/RoesmaryPerry_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg refused to step down after her April 2013 drunken driving arrest, and Gov. Rick Perry vetoed funding for the public integrity unit, which is housed in the Travis County DA's office." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg refused to step down after her April 2013 drunken driving arrest, and Gov. Rick Perry vetoed funding for the public integrity unit, which is housed in the Travis County DA's office.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span><span>Travis County prosecutors said Saturday they dropped several criminal investigations — including one first </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://t.co/ddHSs7lFSc" target="_blank">reported</a><span> by the </span><em>Houston Chronicle </em><span>involving </span><span>no-bid state contracts — after Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a><span> vetoed their state funding in 2013. </span><br/></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/report-prosecutors-dropped-probe-after-perry-veto/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/straus-offers-lean-budget-proposal/">Straus: $202 Billion Budget Plan Reflects Fiscal Discipline</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:44:25 -0600" title="2015-01-15 17:44"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/straus-offers-lean-budget-proposal/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/straus-offers-lean-budget-proposal/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/20/TribFest_Straus203_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/20/TribFest_Straus203_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>House Speaker <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joe-straus/">Joe Straus</a> said the House's base budget plan, released Thursday, holds "<span>spending in check while addressing some very important challenges related to our rapid growth." The Senate's base budget is expected to come out next week.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/straus-offers-lean-budget-proposal/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/whitmire-calls-janeks-resignation/">Sources: Abbott Will Wait to Decide on Janek's Future</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/">Terri Langford</a> and <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:39:44 -0600" title="2015-01-15 17:39"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/whitmire-calls-janeks-resignation/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/whitmire-calls-janeks-resignation/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Amid calls for Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek to resign over a contracting scandal, sources close to Gov.-elect <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> say Abbott won't decide on Janek's future until after the completion of state investigations.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/whitmire-calls-janeks-resignation/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/annotation/perry-farewell/">Perry's Farewell Speech: Read Between the Lines</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by Texas Tribune Staff </li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:05:34 -0600" title="2015-01-15 17:05"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/annotation/perry-farewell/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0911_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0911_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> delivered a farewell speech to a joint session of the Texas Legislature on Thursday. Our reporters read between the lines for you — using the online annotation tool <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://genius.com/" target="_blank">Genius</a>. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/annotation/perry-farewell/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/anchia-goes-offense-moves-reaffirm-dream-act/">Anchia Goes on Offense, Moves to Reaffirm Dream Act</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:45:28 -0600" title="2015-01-15 16:45"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/anchia-goes-offense-moves-reaffirm-dream-act/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/anchia-goes-offense-moves-reaffirm-dream-act/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/_01F2788_1_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, during a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 21, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/_01F2788_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, during a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 21, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, during a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 21, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Facing legislative efforts to overturn the Texas Dream Act and new state leaders who are open to its repeal, state Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rafael-anchia/">Rafael Anchia</a>, D-Dallas, filed a resolution Thursday to reaffirm support for the act.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/anchia-goes-offense-moves-reaffirm-dream-act/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/farewell-speech-perry-encourage-compromise/">In Last Hurrah, Perry Encourages Compromise</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:05:50 -0600" title="2015-01-15 16:05"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/farewell-speech-perry-encourage-compromise/comments/"><span class="value">43</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/farewell-speech-perry-encourage-compromise/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/7C2A0951_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/7C2A0951_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Perry gives his farewell speech during a joint session of the Texas Legislature on January 15th, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In what some saw as a tune-up for his next presidential bid, Gov. Rick Perry bade farewell to lawmakers with a rhetorical highlights reel of his record-setting tenure. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/"><br/></a></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/farewell-speech-perry-encourage-compromise/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/musk-hyperloop-test-track-works-texas-leading-cand/">Musk: Texas a "Leading Candidate" to Host Hyperloop Test Track</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:29:41 -0600" title="2015-01-15 13:29"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/musk-hyperloop-test-track-works-texas-leading-cand/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/musk-hyperloop-test-track-works-texas-leading-cand/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/7C2A0629_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Elon Musk, the CEO and of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, spoke at the Texas Transportation Forum in Austin on Jan. 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/7C2A0629_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Elon Musk, the CEO and of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, spoke at the Texas Transportation Forum in Austin on Jan. 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Elon Musk, the CEO and of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, spoke at the Texas Transportation Forum in Austin on Jan. 15, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Entrepreneur Elon Musk said Thursday that Texas is in the driver's seat for a test track for a transportation system known as the Hyperloop. He also said that a SpaceX facility wouldn't have been built in Texas without economic incentives.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/musk-hyperloop-test-track-works-texas-leading-cand/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/analysis-new-guys-and-election-four-years-away/">Analysis: The New Guys and an Election That's Four Years Away</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/19/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 19, 2015</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/18/inside-texas-politics-new-lieutenant-governor/">Inside Texas Politics: A New Lieutenant Governor</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/report-prosecutors-dropped-probe-after-perry-veto/">Prosecutor: Perry Veto Forced End to Several Contract Cases</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/playlist-changes/">The Playlist: Them Changes</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/">A Look Back at the 83rd: How Some Issues Played Out in the 2013 Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/hhsc-exec-who-received-taxpayer-funded-mba-resigns/">HHSC Exec Given Taxpayer-Funded MBA Resigns</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/scotus-taking-6th-circuit-gay-marriage-cases/">With High Court to Weigh Gay Marriage, What Now for Texas?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 16, 2015</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/analysis-perry-says-goodbye-and-hello/">Analysis: Perry Says Goodbye 鈥斅燼nd Hello</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/straus-offers-lean-budget-proposal/">Straus: $202 Billion Budget Plan Reflects Fiscal Discipline</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/whitmire-calls-janeks-resignation/">Sources: Abbott Will Wait to Decide on Janek's Future</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/annotation/perry-farewell/">Perry's Farewell Speech: Read Between the Lines</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/anchia-goes-offense-moves-reaffirm-dream-act/">Anchia Goes on Offense, Moves to Reaffirm Dream Act</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/farewell-speech-perry-encourage-compromise/">In Last Hurrah, Perry Encourages Compromise</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/musk-hyperloop-test-track-works-texas-leading-cand/">Musk: Texas a "Leading Candidate" to Host Hyperloop Test Track</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/1997-memorial-day-massacre/">1997 Memorial Day Massacre</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2011-budget-shortfall/">2011 Budget Shortfall</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2013-house-speaker-race/">2013 House Speaker Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2016-presidential-election/">2016 Presidential Election</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/82nd-legislative-session/">82nd Legislative Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/82nd-session-transcripts/">82nd Session Transcripts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/83rd-legislative-session/">83rd Legislative Session</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/previewing-the-84th-legislature/">Previewing the 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/previewing-the-84th-legislature/">Previewing the 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/84th-legislature/">The 84th Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/abortion-sonogram-bill/">Abortion Sonogram Bill</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/aging-and-disability-services/">Aging And Disability Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/bidness-as-usual/">Bidness As Usual Project</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/cancer-prevention-and-research-institute-of-texas-cprit/">Cancer Prevention And Research Institute Of Texas (CPRIT)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/child-protective-services/">Child Protective Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/craddick-ds/">Craddick D's</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/data-consolidation/">Data Consolidation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-agriculture/">Department Of Agriculture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-public-safety/">Department Of Public Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/department-of-state-health-services/">Department of State Health Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/dept-of-assistive-and-rehabilitative-services/">Dept Of Assistive And Rehabilitative Services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/division-of-workers-compensation/">Division Of Workers' Compensation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/employee-retirement-system/">Employee Retirement System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/gaminggambling/">Gaming/gambling</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/gang-of-11/">Gang Of 11</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/governors-mansion-fire/">Governor's Mansion Fire</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/housing-and-community-affairs/">Housing And Community Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/kyle-janek/">Kyle Janek</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-budget-board/">Legislative Budget Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-council/">Legislative Council</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/legislative-redistricting-board/">Legislative Redistricting Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/licensing-and-regulation/">Licensing and Regulation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/lieutenant-governor/">Lieutenant Governor</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/lottery-commission/">Lottery Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/pension-review-board/">Pension Review Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/predatory-lenders/">Predatory Lenders</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/public-utility-commission/">Public Utility Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/racing-commission/">Racing Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/rainy-day-fund/">Rainy Day Fund</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/redistricting/">Redistricting</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/secession-controversy/">Secession Controversy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/secretary-of-state/">Secretary Of State</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/sharpstown-stock-scandal/">Sharpstown Stock Scandal</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/speaker-of-the-house/">Speaker Of The House</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/special-sessions/">Special Sessions</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-auditor/">State Auditor</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-board-of-education/">State Board Of Education</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/state-preservation-board/">State Preservation Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/sunset-advisory-commission/">Sunset Advisory Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/teacher-retirement-system/">Teacher Retirement System</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-affordable-housing-corporation/">Texas Affordable Housing Corporation</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-board-of-pardons-and-paroles/">Texas Board Of Pardons And Paroles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-commission-on-environmental-quality-tceq/">Texas Commission On Environmental Quality (TCEQ)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-commission-on-the-arts/">Texas Commission On The Arts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-comptroller-of-public-accounts/">Texas Comptroller Of Public Accounts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-department-of-criminal-justice/">Texas Department Of Criminal Justice</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-department-of-insurance/">Texas Department Of Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-department-of-rural-affairs/">Texas Department Of Rural Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-education-agency/">Texas Education Agency</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-ethics-commission/">Texas Ethics Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-film-commission/">Texas Film Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-forensic-science-commission/">Texas Forensic Science Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-forest-service/">Texas Forest Service</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-historical-commission/">Texas Historical Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-house-of-representatives/">Texas House of Representatives</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-legislature/">Texas Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-pharmacy-board/">Texas Pharmacy Board</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-railroad-commission/">Texas Railroad Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-residential-construction-commission/">Texas Residential Construction Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-senate/">Texas Senate</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-veterans-commission/">Texas Veterans Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-windstorm-insurance-association/">Texas Windstorm Insurance Association</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-workforce-commission/">Texas Workforce Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/voter-id/">Voter ID</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer class="clearfix featurebox-footer"> <a target="_blank" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/"> <span>+</span> View All </a> </footer> </aside> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_RightRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab video"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Video</h1> <h2><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/14/livestream-reps-israel-koop-and-blanco/">Video: A Conversation With Three New House Members</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:46:14 -0600" title="2015-01-14 13:46"> Jan. 14, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2015/01/14/livestream-reps-israel-koop-and-blanco/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/7C2A0503_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/7C2A0503_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/playlist-changes/">The Playlist: Them Changes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 17 Jan 2015 07:47:44 -0600" title="2015-01-17 07:47"> Jan. 17, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/playlist-changes/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/17/Playlist_Jan_17_copy_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/17/Playlist_Jan_17_copy_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: John Jordan</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>This week was  marked by a big turnover in state government, so we’re launching our playlist of the news with "Changes," played here by the Band of Gypsys.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/playlist-changes/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/">A Look Back at the 83rd: How Some Issues Played Out in the 2013 Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> and <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 17 Jan 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-01-17 06:00"> Jan. 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/16/StateOfMind2015-recap-collage_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/16/StateOfMind2015-recap-collage_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>With the 84th Legislature underway, we've renewed our State of Mind video series, a look at various issues that communities across the state are talking about. First up, a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/library/multimedia/state-of-mind/" target="_blank">look at some issues</a> from the last session.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/17/state-mind-issues-then-and-now/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/hhsc-exec-who-received-taxpayer-funded-mba-resigns/">HHSC Exec Given Taxpayer-Funded MBA Resigns</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/">Terri Langford</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:22:24 -0600" title="2015-01-16 18:22"> Jan. 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/hhsc-exec-who-received-taxpayer-funded-mba-resigns/comments/"><span class="value">12</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/hhsc-exec-who-received-taxpayer-funded-mba-resigns/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Already placed on leave, the deputy chief of staff to Health and Human Services Commission chief Kyle Janek resigned Friday, and has started paying back half the $97,050 tuition paid by the state.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/hhsc-exec-who-received-taxpayer-funded-mba-resigns/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/scotus-taking-6th-circuit-gay-marriage-cases/">With High Court to Weigh Gay Marriage, What Now for Texas?</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:31:45 -0600" title="2015-01-16 16:31"> Jan. 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/scotus-taking-6th-circuit-gay-marriage-cases/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/scotus-taking-6th-circuit-gay-marriage-cases/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Scotus_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Scotus_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Katie Harbath</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Friday to hear four cases with the potential to legalize gay marriage nationwide could delay a ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas' own legal fight over same-sex unions.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/scotus-taking-6th-circuit-gay-marriage-cases/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/brief/">The Brief: Jan. 16, 2015</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-01-16 05:59"> Jan. 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/brief/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/PerryFinal453_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Rick Perry delivers a farewell speech to a joint session of the Texas House and Senate on Jan. 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/PerryFinal453_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Rick Perry delivers a farewell speech to a joint session of the Texas House and Senate on Jan. 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Rick Perry delivers a farewell speech to a joint session of the Texas House and Senate on Jan. 15, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a><span>'s formal farewell Thursday afternoon to the state Legislature dominated headlines with writers trying to discern from his speech what the future holds for him.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/16/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/analysis-perry-says-goodbye-and-hello/">Analysis: Perry Says Goodbye 鈥斅燼nd Hello</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 15 Jan 2015 20:53:53 -0600" title="2015-01-15 20:53"> Jan. 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/analysis-perry-says-goodbye-and-hello/comments/"><span class="value">11</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/analysis-perry-says-goodbye-and-hello/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/PerryFinal086_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Rick Perry on the House dais in his final speech to the Texas Legislature on Jan. 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/PerryFinal086_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Rick Perry on the House dais in his final speech to the Texas Legislature on Jan. 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Rick Perry on the House dais in his final speech to the Texas Legislature on Jan. 15, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry </a>will only be the governor of Texas for a few more days, but as he considers another run for president, his last speech to the Legislature was as much about the next 18 months as about the last 14 years.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/analysis-perry-says-goodbye-and-hello/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/government/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/christine-ayala/">Christine Ayala</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150120125514/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rodney-gibbs/">Rodney Gibbs</a> </dd> <dd> <a 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