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Your evening reading: Texas Republicans cast doubt on new unemployment numbers; university presidents call for more research money; new Lampson ad focuses on job creation

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst reaches to shake the hand of a member following his visit to the House chamber Thursday afternoon to discuss budget matters on May 19, 2011.

Three months out from the 2013 session, a shuffling of committee chairmanships has jolted the Legislature's upper chamber.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst leaving the House chamber following budget negotiations on May 19, 2011.

Your evening reading: Dewhurst shuffles Senate committee chairs; Zaffirini "not disheartened" at loss of higher education role; Medicaid fraud force nabs 38 in Texas

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney at a presidential debate at Dartmouth College on Oct. 11, 2011.

The drama paled in comparison to another political showdown in Texas this week, but Wednesday night's face-off between Mitt Romney and President Obama appears to have shaken up the presidential race.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Attorney General Greg Abbott on Jan. 31, 2011, discussing Texas' lawsuit against federal health care reform.

Your evening reading: agreement reached over dead-voter purge; Shelton calls for criminal investigation of Davis; Hutchison stumps for U.S. Senate candidate in North Dakota

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore / Marjorie Kamys Cotera

After two months of little action, the U.S. Senate race between Ted Cruz and Paul Sadler erupted at a hostile debate Tuesday night.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Mitt Romney surrounded by media as he makes a campaign stop at the Family Table Restaurant in Atlantic, Iowa, in January 2012.

Your evening reading: Lyceum poll shows Romney, Cruz with comfortable leads in Texas; new Shelton ad accuses Davis of peddling influence; judge halts Pennsylvania voter ID law

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For this week's nonscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked about tax reform, swapping local property taxes for something else, and whether voters and legislators are on the same page on casinos.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Gage Skidmore / Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Tonight's debate between Ted Cruz and Paul Sadler will likely inject some energy into a race that so far has sparked little drama. 

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

Your evening reading: Perry calls for four-year tuition freeze and upfront price tags; new ads and polling in Canseco/Gallego race; report says DREAM Act could pump billions into Texas economy

Enlarge photo by: Spencer Selvidge

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro after a debate on the future of Texas politics with Ted Cruz at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 22, 2012.

The post-convention spotlight may have receded, but Julián Castro isn't done with election-year politics.