Texas Senators John Carona and Dan Patrick have had confrontations in the past, but none quite as entertaining as this one. Grab the popcorn, friends. more ›

Abortion opponents marked the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade this past Saturday with a march on the Capitol. Many of the attendees had something to celebrate: namely, the recent decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that Texas’ controversial mandatory sonogram law must be enforced even as it continues to be appealed. more ›

It's that frisky season when politicians of the same stripe nonetheless go neck to neck with their sometimes-allies to differentiate themselves while ripping their brothers-in-arms a new one. In the presidential primary, the corn belt has been shaken with a barrage of negative ads from Republican party hopefuls - Mitt Romney (who isn't taking responsibility for said ads) blasts Newt Gingrich, and now Newt's associates are blasting back. It's all very exciting, but even with two Texas dogs in the hunt it feels very removed. The good news is that a debate is headed not just to Texas, but to Austin - and though it probably won't have the vim and vigor of the Perry Vs. Perry debates we've seen, at least this one doesn't take place in Iowa. more ›

Resigning Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams (R) sat down with Texas Tribune editor Evan Smith yesterday to offically announce that he will be running for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's seat in 2012. A staunch conservative, Williams was already a Tea Party darling before the 2010 election cycle, and Slate named him one of their ten conservatives who will define 2011. more ›

Texas Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst ended all suspense yesterday by accepting the will of the voters and allowing themselves to be re-inaugurated into office again. Security was tight as Perry lamented how long it took to elect an Aggie as Governor, Dewhurst declared Texas to be the antidote to a Washington run amuck, and the Singing Aggie Choir performed Texas, Our Texas. The thin crowd included patriots, giant pigs, Buffalo Soldiers and Bar-B-Q lovers. Red McCombs supplied free lunches and Big Reds for all, while Brad Dunn and Ellis County mildly amused the hungry carnivores. Austinist's roving photographer, Steve Hopson, was there to document the wreckage. more ›

Last week, Senate Bill 1317 passed the Senate in a highly partisan vote thanks in large part to lobbying efforts by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. The bill itself, if made law, would limit the scope of a city's jurisdiction by making it illegal for any city to regulate air pollution (or, presumably, anything else) beyond its borders. However, despite what many Senators who voted for this bill will tell you, this bill isn't about municipal... more ›

We'll update this post as things develop. 11am - Tuesday, January 16th Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are sworn in indoors, under the inaugural theme, "Texas: Imagine the Possibilities." The requisite downtown parade has been canceled because, well, there's no one there. Firewood vendors are making a killing CapMetro: UT Shuttles, AISD Magnet Routes, 'Dillo routes are closed The Travis County Commissioners Court meeting has been postponed As of 9:30am, approximately 570... more ›

The Grand Old Party nearly swept the statewide race yesterday, led by Governor Rick Perry, who after beating Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independent candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn may very well become the longest-serving Governor in Texas. In a press conference this morning, Perry was vague when addressing rumors of a possible vice presidential bid, merely saying it was "up to the good Lord." Bell, who posted yesterday in his blog... more ›

It could be argued that money led DeLay to the top of the republican heap, but it seems that money, or the lack thereof, will bring him down in end. DeLay's leadership PAC, Americans for a Republican Political Majority, is in debt. His legal fund is also in trouble with less-than-sufficient amounts to cover the legal expenses that continue to mount. more ›

Our good friends over at Pink Dome alerted us late last night to some troubling goings-on on the Hill that have us, well...troubled. Apparently a Republican operative has been appointed to lead the Legislative Council for Texas. Ho hum, right? Another legislative appointee. Not so fast. The Legislative Council Director controls everything on the Hill - the emails, the network, the drafting of bills, the handling of those bills being drafted and all of... more ›

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego Rick Perry? Well, apparently the governor, in the midst of his television ad barrage extolling the virtues of the great state of Texas, has gone on a covert mission overseas in support of the troops. Along with Perry is possible presidential hopeful Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas as well as Govs. Dave Freudenthal (WY) and Jim Doyle (WI), both Democrats. The governors will visit Kuwait, Tikrit and possibly Afghanistan and Pakistan. more ›

Texas - A lobbyist hired by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations once worked closely with DeLay cohort Jack Abramoff. The lobbyist, Todd Boulanger, was a member of what was known as "Team Abramoff" (lawyers are so creative) while they were working at a law firm together. We won't bore you with all the details, but essentially Todd worked with Abramoff as registered lobbyist for Indian tribes who were coerced into "donating" money in... more ›