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Capital Tonight: Abortion bills trigger fierce Senate debate

The Senate took up a bill that would make numerous changes to the state's abortion laws; Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg went before county officials to ask for local funding after Gov. Perry vetoed state money for the Public Integrity Unit; and Central Texas attorney Kelly O'Brien defends his call for Lehmberg to step down.

Lawmakers discuss safeguards for chemical plants

The House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety heard testimony from state agencies Monday regarding the deadly explosion in West, Texas. Lawmakers want to ensure safety while not over-regulating the state's vital agricultural sector. YNN’s LeAnn Wallace was at the hearing this morning and explains what worries the lawmakers the most.

Senate committee holds public hearing on abortion bills

Stiffer abortion regulations are back in front of state lawmakers after Gov. Perry added the legislation to lawmakers' special session list on Tuesday. The Senate's Health and Human Services Committee opened up public testimony Thursday on a group of pro-life bills. YNN's LeAnn Wallace has more from both sides of the debate.

06/14/2013 11:30 AM

Capital Tonight: Hearing on abortion bills draws emotional testimony

In Thursday's episode: A Senate committee heard testimony on both sides of the abortion issue; Sen. Dan Patrick weighs in on the special session and the race for lieutenant governor; and our Capital Commentators break down the rest of the day's political news.

06/13/2013 06:31 PM

Perry signs 'Merry Christmas' bill into law

The governor Thursday signed into law a bipartisan bill removing any legal risks of saying "Merry Christmas" in Texas public schools. He said "religious freedom does not mean freedom from religion."

06/13/2013 01:59 PM

Capital Tonight: Committees consider special session legislation

Lawmakers were back at work at the State Capitol Wednesday, trying to move forward with some of Gov. Perry's special session calls. Two separate committees met to take up redistricting and transportation funding.

06/12/2013 07:56 PM

Senate committee advances court-drawn maps

After hours of debate and public testimony, Texas senators on the state's redistricting committee are back where they started. The committee passed a series a maps Monday largely uncharged from the maps drawn by federal judges more than a year ago. YNN's LeAnn Wallace updates us on where the state stands in the ongoing redistricting process.

06/12/2013 05:35 PM

Special session agenda grows as Perry tacks on items

The special session “to do” list for lawmakers got significantly longer this week. Governor Rick Perry added transportation to the list on Monday and just a day later, added abortion and juvenile criminal justice. YNN’s LeAnn Wallace explains why the added items weren't tackled during in the session.

06/11/2013 07:16 PM

Capital Tonight: Adding to the special session call

Governor Rick Perry added two more items to the Special Session call, Tuesday. He is asking lawmakers to pass stricter abortion regulations and consider and mandatory life sentences for certain juvenile offenders. Tonight's guests and analysts offer their thoughts on the governor's decision.

06/11/2013 05:30 PM

Perry adds road funding to special session

In a statement he released Monday, Perry said the state's growing economy and population made additional spending on roads and bridges necessary.

06/10/2013 06:29 PM