A recap of current Texas politics

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the 81st Legislative Session is soon coming to a close, with just over a month to go, lawmakers are gathering under the dome with proposals before it’s too late. They are expected to move swiftly after meeting budget priorities. The Texas House was able to finalize a budget last Friday which will allow legislators to fully focus on the passage of bills.

Last week was not all budget though as lawmakers finally addressed the government raid on the West Texas Polygamous Ranch as they put the sect's spokesperson, Willie Jessop, in the hot seat. Jessop juggled tough questions, but much of the focus still lies in the government intervention. Although the raid was over a year ago, some are still livid over the states’ approach to investigating the ranch.

The guns on campus debate re-emerged this week. As the bill progresses that would allow for people to carry guns on college campuses, large groups of protesters are coming forward to speak out against it. Hundreds of college students took to the streets in a march to the Capitol last week to remind lawmakers that they are the ones affected by the bill. A substantial amount of students are met with other taxpayers who say this bill would only put more guns in circulation and potentially into the wrong hands. The sponsor of the bill says it has enough support to pass. It will all come down to the weight lawmakers put into the protests.

Among the interesting topics to hit Texas politics this week, nothing amounted to the comments Governor Perry made this week on secession. Governor Rick Perry has spent everyday since the April 15 tea party at City Hall to clarify his statements that have made national headlines. The Governor exited the stage after a roaring speech to hundreds and took a moment to speak to the media. During this time is when he threw out the word ‘secession’ as he spoke about Texas’ future. Perry's comments following the anti-tax "tea party" never advocated Texas breaking away from the U.S. Instead, the governor suggested Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to secede. Perry insisted his remarks about secession were not intended as an argument that Texas should leave the union. It may be too little too late for some Texans who take his statement very seriously and fear for Texas’ future.

The Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, is anticipating that the last moments during this session will include some big-time bills which he says we haven’t even seen yet. As the budgets have come and gone, lawmakers are expected to bring up some bold topics starting this week.