TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

A Native American tribe has added a new layer to the border wall debate. Lipan Apaches allege the fence discriminates against them because they've been forced to give up some tribal land to accommodate it.

Funding for transportation could draw an unusual amount of attention in coming months as federal highway dollars threaten to dry up and Texans prepare to vote in November on a measure to increase road funds.

As a legislative committee met to draft articles of impeachment against UT System Regent Wallace Hall, the man who appointed him to the board, Gov. Rick Perry, issued a strongly worded statement of support for the embattled regent.

Local prosecutors are now responsible for pursuing cases targeting fuel tax theft after the public integrity unit's motor fuels tax fraud division shuttered last summer, a move that followed state funding cuts. Some are concerned that criminals will see less of a deterrent to fuel tax fraud schemes.

The Railroad Commission sided with Marathon Oil Company’s bid to dismiss a groundwater conservation district’s protest of its application to inject waste into part of South Texas’ Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.

While no one disputes the intentions of the law, candidates and consultants say compliance with the MOVE Act has increased campaign expenses and shortened the time they can focus on the general election.

Farmers and ranchers in Texas are in trouble, according to recently-released data, but the candidates for Texas agriculture commissioner are talking more about conservative credentials and pot than farming woes. 

In closing arguments to voters this week, incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and his challenger, state Sen. Dan Patrick, avoided much of the spitefulness that has characterized the Republican contest.

More attention is being paid to the quality of care at VA medical centers in Texas. Though the state is limited in what it can do to assist the federal facilities, legislators are still proposing possible methods to help reduce wait times.