Legislators facing battle over immigration

AUSTIN — When Texas House Speaker Joe Straus recently invited a group of Gillespie County Republicans to ask him anything they'd like, the most passionate questions didn't focus on a huge, looming budget shortfall, worries over education or high insurance rates.

Instead, fired-up “patriots” wanted action on an Arizona-style, get-tough immigration law in Texas.

The Alamo Heights Republican's answer was less than satisfying for the conservatives. (read more).