Texas Lege | KXAN TV

Regents nominees clear Senate hurdle

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:18:15 GMT

The Senate Nominations Committee has approved Gov. Rick Perry's three appointments to the University of Texas System board of regents, sending them to the full Senate for consideration.

Key part of budget deal near deadline

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:35:26 GMT

A plan to finalize Texas' budget before the 83rd Session ends could face a major hurdle Tuesday.

Gun training for some teachers approved

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:50:44 GMT

The Texas House late Monday approved a plan to train some teachers who are already licensed to carry firearms for gunfights that could erupt in their classrooms.

Beer bills move to Gov. Perry's desk

Calily Bien — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:59:34 GMT

On Monday afternoon, the House passed all of the four beer-related bills, which will now head to Gov. Rick Perry's desk.

Lawmakers OK part of water overhaul

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:19:15 GMT

Texas lawmakers have given final approval to an overhaul of the Texas Water Development Board as the state grapples with how to manage water resources amid drought and a rapidly growing population.

Court upholds age limit for CHL holders

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:10:30 GMT

A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law that says 18-20-year-olds cannot receive a concealed handgun license.

Lawmakers could face special session

Josh Hinkle — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:46:14 GMT

One week to go, and the current Texas legislative session will be finished. But that does not mean lawmakers will go home for the summer.

Curriculum system scraps lesson plans

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:37:02 GMT

A classroom curriculum system used by hundreds of Texas school districts will stop offering lesson plans after some conservative groups claimed it was promoting anti-American values.

Payback: Member kills bills to get even

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:22:12 GMT

A member of the Texas House is killing bills authored by a Houston senator in retaliation for her opposition to an exoneration bill.

Powers issue dominates Senate hearing

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:06:41 GMT

The Texas Senate is getting to the nominees with just one week left in the legislative session.

Session In Depth: The countdown

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:17:17 GMT

The 2013 legislative session is now in the homestretch, and last week's deal on a state budget could help lawmakers avoid having to stay in Austin for the summer.

House OKs changes to cancer institute

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:00:55 GMT

The Texas House has approved a dramatic overhaul of the state's troubled $3 billion cancer-fighting agency, including replacing its entire, 11-member board.

House OKs new beer distribution rules

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:55:22 GMT

Lawmakers used voice votes Friday to alter the beer industry's pricing structure and overhaul regulations that apply only to craft breweries. That drew applause from brewers watching in the gallery.

Texas lawmakers reach budget deal

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:34:57 GMT

Texas lawmakers reached a deal Friday on a two-year spending plan that would restore $3.93 billion to public schools and clear the way for taking $2 billion from the state's rainy day fund.

Budget deal frays as Democrats balk

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:11 GMT

A final deal on a new Texas budget remained elusive Friday despite Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst saying that both sides had settled the key issues.

Budget talks stall with just days to go

Josh Hinkle — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:42:51 GMT

Texans continue to wait to find out where their tax dollars will be spent during the next two years. On Thursday, both budget-related meetings were postponed at the State Capitol.

Perry says he's not derailing budget

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:04:27 GMT

A public meeting of budget negotiators is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, issues are still being worked out.

Perry set to sign Michael Morton Act

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:59:24 GMT

Gov. Rick Perry held a special ceremony to sign into law a proposal attempting to limit future wrongful convictions as the legislative session enters its final, frantic days.

House to consider charter school bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:54:43 GMT

Traditionally, House Democrats have opposed charter expansion, as have Republicans from rural areas.

Senate leaders push for campus-carry

Josh Hinkle — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:35:55 GMT

If you have a license to carry a handgun, you might soon be able walk into a building on a college campus in Texas and not be breaking the law.

Tough budget talks behind closed doors

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:01:50 GMT

Texas lawmakers are engaged in tense, behind-closed-doors talks to hammer out a two-year state budget.

House defeats term limits referendum

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:16:00 GMT

A proposed constitutional amendment that would have let voters decide whether to limit statewide officeholders to two consecutive terms ran into a buzz saw in the Texas House late Wednesday.

Senate votes to trim regents' authority

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:42:28 GMT

The bill says regents could not fire presidents without first getting a recommendation from the university system chancellor.

Guns in classroom bill heads to Senate

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:46:36 GMT

It remains unclear if the controversial proposal has enough support to pass the upper chamber this late in the session.

Pitts: 'We're going to have a deal'

Josh Hinkle — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:38:06 GMT

The budget chief in the Texas House says a deal with the Senate is imminent and that the Legislature shouldn't be pushed into a special session over spending.

Big bills at risk as session nears wire

Josh Hinkle — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:40:47 GMT

It is crunch time at the State Capitol. Texas lawmakers have just two weeks left until the end of the session on Memorial Day.

Bill named for Morton passes House

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:34:42 GMT

The House passed the measure with a voice vote Monday, as Morton watched from the gallery. The Senate approved the same bill unanimously last month.

Teen tanning limits approved by House

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:26:38 GMT

The bill by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman cleared the Senate last month. The lower chamber used a voice vote Monday to pass it.

House votes to trim powers of regents

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:22:56 GMT

The Texas House has given initial approval to a bill that places new limits on the powers of university regents.

Lawmaker: Budget talks showing progress

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:11:23 GMT

Republicans control both chambers of the Texas Legislature, but that hasn't kept them from reaching an impasse over the state budget.