To Understand Redistricting, Read 'The Godfather'
As states redraw congressional districts, the once-a-decade process can also be used to exact political revenge.
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As states redraw congressional districts, the once-a-decade process can also be used to exact political revenge.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson says the new Texas redistricting plan intentionally discriminates against minorities.
Ruth Baker, known to her south Fort Worth neighbors as "Cookie," and Ann Cruz Favela, a church youth leader on the north side, wanted change when they cast their votes in the 2008 elections.
Some Houston-area Republicans are set to join Gov. Rick Perry for the ceremonial signing of a new law intended to limit frivolous lawsuits.
The Keller Independent School District cuts free school busing to save tax dollars.
When the immigration enforcement bill died again this week without a vote in the Texas House, Democrats smirked while Governor Rick Perry and GOP lawmakers angrily blamed each other for its demise.
The Texas Legislature ordered an investigation on Tuesday of the largest charter school network in the state after news organizations reported potential ties to a Muslim organization and misuse of public funds.
The first special session of the 82nd Legislature has ended. Lawmakers met to consider two remaining bills and sent a minor judicial finance bill to the governor. But they failed to pass a bill that would have outlawed enhanced pat-downs by federal airport screeners
The Texas Legislature is expected to take up two essential items of the special session. The House and Senate are expected to make final votes on a fiscal matters bill that will maintain school funding and revamp a hurricane insurance program.
Despite needing to pass important bills during the Special Legislative Session, dozens of state lawmakers decided to start their weekend early.
School districts will be able to pay public school teachers less and furlough them without pay beginning in 2012 under a bill passed by the House on Thursday.
A well known immigration activist has come under fire for suggesting the reason Texas hasn't passed an Arizona-style immigration crackdown is there are too many Hispanics in the legislature.
Lawmakers are hoping for a quick resolution to the school finance jam that sparked the special session. Public hearings on a handful of budget-related bills started Thursday, just two days after the special session convened.
The Texas Senate convened a special session Tuesday, met for 30 minutes then adjourned to start drafting new bills. One of the goals of the session - for lawmakers to take another stab at making drastic cuts to public school funding.
The Texas Legislature has passed along largely party lines a state budget that cuts billions from public schools, state universities and health care.
A plan to offer property owners tax breaks for water conservation is making its way past lawmakers as most of Texas struggles with drought.
In a bill passed Tuesday, owners of a dog that kills a child under 18 or an adult over 65 can be charged with a first degree felony.
A state lawmaker wants the Texas attorney general to consider whether private money given to public institutions, including large sums tied up in lucrative athletic contracts, should be controlled by legislators.
A plan to rename the Railroad Commission of Texas has been derailed -- for now.
The Texas Legislature is trying again to push forward legislation targeting illegal immigration.
Patti Weinbrenner has suffered her share of setbacks. In 2005, Weinbrenner lost her Richardson home to a massive fire. This week, she suffered yet another setback.
Alex Flores is the mother of two boys who are both autistic. "I dread the day that someone calls one of my children retard" says Flores.
As school districts around the state try desperately to close their budget gaps, a lot is at stake including jobs and higher taxes.
The Texas House has approved a bill requiring residents to show photo identification before voting.
"My fear is that this bill is not going to increase the integrity of elections, but instead is going to keep legitimately eligible Texans from the polls."
