The Latest: House speaker offers veiled bathroom bill swipe
House Speaker Joe Straus has marked his re-election as head of the chamber by offering what appeared to be a veiled swipe at a transgender bathroom bill cheered by top conservatives.
Straus is popular among both Republicans and Democrats, who see him an even hand and not a provocative firebrand like other GOP leaders.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has opened a Texas legislative session that will likely eventually feature bitter partisan battles by urging lawmakers to put aside their differences.
A tighter-than-usual state budget and a potential policy showdown over a North Carolina-style transgender bathroom bill are already raising tensions.
[...] things are likely to get even testier in the face of promises by the Republican majority to cut taxes and fix a broken child welfare system.
A state representative who reneged on previous plans to resign amid a criminal investigation into misusing campaign funds has reported to the Texas House for the opening day of the legislative session.
The Texas Rangers are investigating accusations she misused her legislative staff and campaign funds.
The prolonged oil price slump has hurt state revenue, meaning the Texas budget approved this session could be tighter than previous incarnations.
The prolonged oil slump is squeezing the state budget, fueling fears of social service cuts.
Opening day is reserved for pomp and circumstance, as lawmakers take oaths of office and their families pose for pictures.