Stateline Headlines

What Do Record Low Natural Gas Prices Mean for States?

Newly abundant and cheap natural gas has slashed home heating bills for many Americans. But in some states, the continued price drop has thinned state budgets and shifted energy production.

IRS asked about Wisconsin recall, Texas tea party group says

Wisconsin Lawmakers Battle Over Union Contracts

TRANSITION WATCH: Democrats in Wisconsin look to approve lame-duck labor deals, Arizona contemplates its immigration encore, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

How Governors Govern Higher Ed

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett are the latest governors to play a role in resolving crises at their state universities.

States Use Driver's Education to Boost Organ Donation

Virginia is one of a handful of states that use drivers education as a vehicle to boost organ donation. At least eight others -- Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin have adopted similar policies in the past few years.

Virginia GOP Seizes Legislature, Dem Re-elected Kentucky Gov

Voters in Virginia Tuesday gave Republican Gov. James S. Gilmore III something the Old Dominion has never seen before -- a state legislature completely controlled by the GOP. In Kentucky, Democrat Gov. Paul Patton coasted to re-election. But a Mississippi governor's race between Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican Mike Parker was too close to call on Wednesday morning, and officials said it might take 10 days before final results are known. In Washington, voters scrapped a car tax and gave the electorate more say over future tax policy.

Tech firm to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Utah

Criminal justice bills a mixed bag for business group

Texas higher ed graduations increase, board finds

Ahead of Perry decision, Abbott's campaign is in motion

Veteran Galveston legislator won't seek re-election

Texas lawmakers break budget impasse

House, Senate OK key bills to end budget stalemate

Texas House Democrat Eiland won't seek re-election

Senate approves new Rio Grande Valley university

Senate OKs longer window to sue for discrimination

Texas Senate OKs expanding virtual course network

Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment

Plan to study youth solitary confinement advances

An expensive celebration, courtesy of the Lobby

Fire Marshal's Office -- Panel had blast site access

Texans join tornado recovery effort in Moore, Okla.

Dems count victory against anti-abortion bills

Texas lawmaker had warrant out for arrest nearly a year

Charter school, testing bills will pass or die together

Drug testing approved for jobless aid, but not welfare applicants

Key budget bills pass as legislators break impasse

Senate approves plan to establish UT university in Valley

Texas stands out on multiple immigration fronts

Senate panel approves UT regents, medical board appointments

Whitmire again declares 'campus carry' dead this session

Lawmaker resurrects radioactive waste bill

Fee increase could yield $12 million for Bexar County roads

Oklahoma can count on our help

Senate votes to limit sugary drinks at schools

Senate continues school tax breaks for companies

Senate passes bills to cut business taxes

Senate approves another gun bill -- okays air guns, two-fer qualifying

Agencies to target aggressive Central Texas drivers

Tense budget standoff in Capitol will continue Wednesday

House Democrats kill welfare drug testing bill, and about 50 others

Turf battle threatens safety investigation at West

Texas' struggling Rio Grande Valley pushes for Medicaid expansion

Feds vs. feds over Texas blast

Texas judge says lesbian couple can't cohabitate

Texas targets conservatives

House backs mental health jail diversion program

California retirees have Carona's company in crosschairs

Texas power grid poised to be put to the test again

House signals approval for campus construction bonds

A green light for pension hikes, double dipping

House approves gun training for some teachers

Bill bars future governors from Medicaid expansion

House to vote on drug testing for welfare benefits

Texas House mulls new district for failing schools

House OKs disclosure, lobbying rules for lawmakers

Senators grill Perry’s nominees to UT board(2)

Budget stalls; tax ‘relief’ mired in legislative confusion

Will $2 million buy some honesty?

New mental health clinic helps underserved in eastern Williamson County

Texas House wants some nonprofits to start disclosing donors

Senators grill Perry’s nominees to UT board

Lawmaker -- Emerging Tech to get $50 million

Senate -- Videoconferencing OK for public meetings

Senate -- Don’t require SSNs for gun permits

Prison union challenges 5 percent pay increase

Tornadoes level homes in Okla., 1 dead

Tornado-ravaged Texas town to start recovery

Legislators devote new funding to mental health

For John Carona, conflicts and interests

For lawmakers, ethics reform is complicated

As towns say no, signs of rising resistance to smart meters

Ethics commission bill could force tough votes

Texas bill would drastically revamp water agency

Senate holds confirmation hearing on UT regents

House passes reform for Medicaid investigations

End-of-life bill dead this session, key legislator says

House -- Reforms, applause for cancer agency

State Senate gives Texas Lottery new life

Senate panel advances measures on higher education meetings, UT admissions

Fort Worth lawmaker kills Central Texas water bill

Craft beer bills pass in House

Effort fails to create driving permits for immigrants

Two gun bills stall in Senate

Campaign aims to protect children from predators

House passes craft beer bills

Bill-passing flurry expected in final week

Allow local zoning rules to be applied to state projects

Texas tornado victims vow to rebuild

Bill mandating drug tests for legislators advances

For 83rd lege, more civility than drama

End-of-life bill sparks anger, accusations

Texans seek bipartisanship in a sharply divided D.C.

Infrastructure constraints loom as Texas grows

West blast probe hasn't ruled out foul play

Latest Texas budget offer -- $4B back to classrooms

Perry signs Morton Act into law

Dewhurst -- Texas budget deal should be done Friday

Cancer agency gets a second chance

Budget talks still snagged on school, water funding