The general election is over, but a pending pre-session deadline spurs a biennial fundraising spurt from state officeholders. They won't be allowed to raise money again until June, and they're in a hurry to build their treasuries.

Ross Ramsey: http://trib.it/1vmb3PW

(Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman)

Our livestream of our day-long symposium previewing the 84th Legislature gets underway at 8:30 a.m. with "The House vs. the Senate"

Watch on our homepage: http://www.texastribune.org/

State Sen. ROYCE WEST, D-Dallas, chairman of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee; state Sen. LARRY TAYLOR, R-Friendswood, vice chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee; state Rep. CHARLIE GEREN, R-Fort Worth, chairman of the House Administration Committee; and state Rep. TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER, D-San Antonio

The new issue of Texas Weekly, our premium political newsletter for political insiders, is up. Subscribe today! http://trib.it/Sh1N4q ($)

84th LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW - Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Central on Friday, the Tribune will host several panel discussions with Texas legislators previewing the upcoming legislative session. Topics of discussion will include the relationship between the House and Senate, what the Tea Party wants, the coming battle over the state budget and what’s in store for the big issues on the agenda like public education, energy, transportation and health care. The event will take place at Austin Community College’s Highland Campus (press welcome) and will be livestreamed on the Tribune’s website.

For full schedule, list of panelists and to view online: http://trib.it/1xBrWLH

Full video of our 12/4 conversation with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who talked about Dan Patrick, education funding, border security, the two-thirds rule, what he'll do next, and more.

http://trib.it/1yW8JoK

Tensions at the nearly 80-year-old Kilgore College have reached new — and possibly violent — heights amid allegations that the school was in the habit of improperly removing and disposing of asbestos from its buildings.

Reeve Hamilton has the story: http://trib.it/1ySi154

The Brief: More time given to sort out Panetti case; Allegations about asbestos stir controversy in Kilgore; Abbott takes lead in immigration challenge; Perry stepping up his presidential game; Perry to require state agencies to use E-Verify.

John Reynolds with The Brief for Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014: http://trib.it/1zSP0Vb

Today in TribTalk:
For now, the future of transit in Austin is the bus, by Jace Deloney http://trib.it/1CIeUkh

The first Texas governor to use a wheelchair will soon move into a governor’s mansion built 134 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act required accessibility for the disabled. But thanks to an arsonist’s Molotov cocktail, the 1856 mansion needs only minor fixes before the January arrival of Gov.-elect Greg Abbott.

Christine Ayala reports: http://trib.it/1w4glGN

(Photo by: Bob Daemmrich)

Depending on your political leanings, the spending cap state lawmakers set this week was either too low, too high or just right. Regardless, the arcane measure could effectively block lawmakers from accessing billions of dollars in state revenue.

Aman Batheja explains: http://trib.it/1vmejLa

(Photo by: Bob Daemmrich)

New Senator could be chosen Saturday; Tighter spending cap may keep billions out of budget; Historic governor's mansion tweaked for Abbott; Analysis: After the elections, fundraising quickens; Ebola task force's report includes call for new facility; New Texas House rules: Press must affirm they do not lobby.

John Reynolds with The Brief for Friday, Dec. 5, 2014: http://trib.it/122ZaaF

Today in TribTalk:
Why the speaker's race needs a dose of realism, by Craig Goldman http://trib.it/1tPQJqz

(Photo by: Bob Daemmrich)

Members of the press will continue to be allowed on the Texas House floor in the upcoming legislative session, but they will now be required that to affirm that they do not lobby.

John Reynolds reports: http://trib.it/1zVer8K

We're livestreaming this morning's conversation between outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith at the Austin Club.

Watch on our homepage at 8:00 a.m.: http://www.texastribune.org/