Gov. Rick Perry welcomes Shield Tactical from California to Shiner. (Josh Hinkle/KXAN)

This weekend on “In Session. In-depth,” we focus on gun control and big business. One state’s loss might be Texas’ gain. As much of the country restricts firearms, Gov. Rick Perry is asking gun companies to set up shop here. But more business might mean more competition for an already booming industry.

We speak with the governor one-on-one, then our political roundtable weighs in on his plan and other gun items at the Capitol.

• Paul Burka, Texas Monthly
• Christy Hoppe, Dallas Morning News
• Jay Root, Texas Tribune.

Join us for “In Session. In-depth.” this Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth (Texas Senate)

This weekend on “In Session. In-depth,” Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, talks to us about the fight for more education funding. What are the true difference between the Senate and House versions of the budget? And could more money come before lawmakers wrap up in May? Davis found herself in the political spotlight after filibustering the school finance bill last session, and now she speaks out about reports of a possible run for governor.

Plus, Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, join our roundtable. The duo is among a small handful of Central Texas lawmakers on the House budget-writing team. Hear their predictions for the remaining financial fight this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN News.

It’s halftime at the Texas State Capitol! What issues rank the highest on the scoreboard? Who are the legislature’s MVPs? And who are those standout rookies?

Joining us on the political roundtable this week – Mike Ward with the Austin American-Statesman, Corrie MacLaggan with Reuters and Brian Sweany with Texas Monthly.

Plus, we take a look at an ongoing “water war” between Texas and Mexico. Join us for “In Session. In-depth.” this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN News.

Texas State Capitol (Josh Hinkle/KXAN)

Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo (Texas House of Representatives)

Ever wondered why Texas lawmakers meet only once every two years? One lawmaker says the state’s size, population and massive budget deserve more attention. We speak with Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo, about his proposal to gather the legislature in Austin annually.

We also break down the technology driving lawmakers this session. Plus, a group of “little” lobbyists mix pie with politics at the State Capitol. Join us for “In Session. In-depth.” this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KXAN News.

Interstate 10 sign outside Lake Charles, Louisiana (Josh Hinkle/KXAN)

This week on a special gambling edition of “In Session. In-depth,” the chips fly, as both sides of the long-standing Texas casino debate take part in our roundtable – former state lawmaker John Montford from the pro-casino lobby “Let Texans Decide” and Rob Kohler from the anti-gaming Christian Life Commission. Tim Eaton from the Austin American-Statesman also joins the discussion.

Plus, we travel to neighboring Louisiana – a casino-friendly state –

to weigh the benefits with the bad. Where does that state spend its revenue, and is a re-introduced gambling bill in Texas really the answer to funding problems?

Join us Sunday at 8:30 a.m. for “In Session. In-depth.” right here on KXAN.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst speaks with KXAN about the Texas school finance lawsuit (Julie Karam/KXAN).

This Sunday on KXAN’s “In Session, In-depth,” Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams discuss the future after the state’s school finance trial decision.

Plus, Kate Alexander of the Austin American-Statesman, Clay Robison of the Texas State Teachers Association and Erin Cargile of KXAN News talk about proposed education reforms, testing and possible school funding restoration.

Join us for “In Session, In-depth” this Sunday morning at 8:30 on KXAN News.

HHSC Commissioner Kyle Janek (State of Texas)

This Sunday on KXAN’s “In Session, In-depth,” Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek discusses the Women’s Health Program, the state’s Medicaid situation and lawmakers’ health care budget challenges.

Plus, Corrie MacLaggan of Reuters, Emily Ramshaw of the Texas Tribune, and Texas Medical Association President-elect Stephen Brotherton, M.D., weigh in Gov. Rick Perry’s State of the State and his legislative vision for Texans’ health.

Join us for “In Session, In-depth” this Sunday morning at 8:30 on KXAN News.

Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio (Texas House of Representatives)

On Thursday, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, released his list of committees assignments for the 83^rd Regular Legislative Session. Five Central Texas lawmakers secured leadership posts:

• Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin – Culture, Recreation & Tourism (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin – Administration (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin – Public Health (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs – Rules & Resolutions (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels – Special Purpose Districts (Vice Chair)

“These are charges that I take very seriously as the critical work of these committee will have an impact on the entire state and obviously in the Texas Hill Country, as well,” said Miller. “ I will help see to it that protecting private property rights, our state’s vital natural resources, and doing what is right for Texas will be priority components of our collective agenda.”

Central Texas members of the influential House Appropriations Committee – the budget writers – include:

• Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin
• Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin
• Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock

“I look forward to supporting (Speaker Straus’s) goals of properly and transparently funding government’s core responsibilities while meeting the challenges of robust population growth,” Howard said. “I intend to be an effective advocate on the committee for restoring funds to public education and family planning programs that were so dramatically cut last session.

This list shows Central Texas lawmakers increased their power in the House this session. Last regular session, the delegation filled one less leadership role:

• Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin – Administration (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin – Joint Committee on Aging (Chair)
• Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin – Public Health (Vice Chair)
• Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels – Joint Committee on Oversight of Edwards Aquifer (Co-chair)

Inside the State of the State address Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 (Josh Hinkle/KXAN)

Tuesday’s State of the State could determine the state of Rick Perry’s political future for years to come. The speech will launch his seventh legislative session as governor and indicate how likely it would be to make another run for this office or possibly another stab at leading the nation as president.

The address is at 11 a.m. Tuesday during a joint session of the House and Senate. This is a chance for Perry to lay out the issues he wants state lawmakers to tackle in the current legislative session. So far, he has mentioned:

• Tax relief, based on billions in the state’s surplus
• Infrastructure and energy improvements, possibly using the rainy day fund for water supplies
• Making the small business tax exemption permanent
• Controlling college tuition, in an effort to bolster the state’s workforce
• Drug screening welfare applicants
• Expanding the ban on abortion, based on the pain felt by the fetus

Perry has not ruled out running for either office, though he has indicated he would wait to make any announcement until after the session. But after a year of very public campaign stumbles, people will be watching closely to see if he has the ability to bounce back.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin (Courtesy: Texas Senate)

This Sunday on KXAN’s “In Session, In-depth,” State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin talks about the need for transportation funding and Democrats’ statewide chances for the future.

Plus, Ben Wear of the Austin-American Statesman, Brandi Grissom of the Texas Tribune, and Robert Garrett of the Dallas Morning News weigh in on gun legislation and infrastructure challenges in the budget.

Join us for “In Session, In-depth” this Sunday morning at 8:30 on KXAN News.