What's an inauguration day without a parade of parties? This year's celebration is a more austere event than years past, and funded almost exclusively by private donations, as Texas faces down a budget shortfall that could be as high as $27 billion. But the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas — an interest group with plenty of friends at the Capitol — kept up its tradition of hosting invitation-only inauguration parties attended by big names in Texas politics. The celebration for elected officials took place at downtown Austin's Stephen F. Austin Hotel, and a concurrent party for staffers was held ...

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