Keyword: 83rd Session
From Smooth Sailing to Traffic Jam
The regular Texas legislative session was notable for bipartisan coalitions and harmony. The special sessions have been notable for partisan battles and stalemates. To understand what's going on, just look at the voters.
How Public Opinion Fueled the Senate's Abortion Fight
While much attention has been paid to the political conflict on the floor of the Texas Senate last week, the subtleties of public opinion on abortion in Texas framed the clash in the upper chamber.
Budget Endgames and Public Opinion
The public doesn't closely follow legislative debates over the budget, but sometimes those budget debates line up pretty accurately with public opinion.
A Seat for the Tea Party
Sentiment for the Tea Party remains strong within the GOP, but what started as an insurgent group is becoming just another — albeit important — part of the Republican Party in Texas.
Public Opinion and the Budget
So far, the Legislature has been writing a budget for a state in a center-right position on the political spectrum. As debate opens in the House, can the leadership hold off challenges, particularly from the right?
Water Not Floating to Top With Texas Voters
Despite water’s saturation of the political priority list, the public still appears ambivalent about Texas’ water needs and out of step with state legislators on how to pay for it, according to the latest UT/Texas Tribune Poll.
Lawmakers Fret About Water, but the Public Doesn't
Water has emerged as the top infrastructure issue before the 83rd Legislature — an issue that appears to be more important to lawmakers than to most of the people they represent.