Texas Weekly Newsreel: Property Tax, Speed Limit, PAC Money
This week on the Newsreel, a look at property taxes versus sales taxes, 85-mph speed limits and Super PAC contributions from Texas. Full Story
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After Komen Drama, Planned Parenthood Expanding Breast Screenings
Planned Parenthood will expand breast health services to more than 40,000 women across five Texas cities, the result of increased donations following Dallas-based Susan G. Komen for the Cure's short-lived decision to halt funding to the organization. Full Story
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Perry: "Deferred Action" Doesn't Change Policies
Gov. Rick Perry has advised state agencies that the recent “deferred action” policy to allow illegal immigrants a two-year reprieve from deportation and a work permit does not change state policies. Full Story
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The Brief: Aug. 20, 2012
For the latest clues on whether Rick Perry plans to run for governor again, follow the money. Full Story
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State Budget Picture Not as Rosy as It May Seem
The state economy, and the state's finances, look relatively good. Tax revenue is far higher than the comptroller had predicted. But don't get too confident — there are some tough decisions ahead. Full Story
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"Pocket Prairies" Preserve Houston's Native Plants
"Pocket prairies" have been popping up all over Houston, helping beautify the city while preserving the native plants that are now harder to find in Harris County. Full Story
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![Jaime Gonzalez, community education director of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, cut some blossoms off roughcone flowers Aug. 6 at a prairie in Deer Creek.]()
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Video: Ted Cruz on "Meet the Press"
Ted Cruz, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, told Meet the Press moderator David Gregory that he's "thrilled with the pick of Paul Ryan" as Mitt Romney's running mate. Full Story
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Comparing School District Expenses Has Challenges
Because of the complexity of school finance, it’s tempting to turn to per-student spending to understand how well — or how poorly — a district is spending its money. But that approach has its perils. Full Story
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![Because of the complexity of school finance, it’s tempting to turn to per-student spending to understand how well — or how poorly — a district is spending its money. But that approach has its perils.]()
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson and Ramshaw map West Nile incidence by county, Aguilar on early applicants for deferred action, Batheja on emerging plans for a bullet train, Grissom on the latest in the Larry Swearingen case, Hamilton on the College Station shooting, Murphy maps the stunningly noncompetitive general election, Ramsey on why property taxes are politically dangerous to mess with, Root on alleged improprieties by a Capitol staffer, M. Smith on public ed personnel cuts and Tan on questions about the state-run Women's Health Program: The best of our best content from Aug. 13-17, 2012. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 17, 2012
Your evening reading: UT System announces plans for South Texas medical school; state's unemployment rate rises to 7.2 percent; aide to state representative under investigation for travel reimbursements Full Story
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UT System to Establish Medical School in South Texas
Amid major changes at health science centers across the state, University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa on Friday announced his intention to establish a freestanding medical school in the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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Integrity Unit Investigating Top Aide to Rep. Kleinschmidt
John Higgins, a top aide to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, R-Lexington, is under criminal investigation for alleged improprieties related to travel reimbursements he got from the state, a prosecutor told the Tribune on Friday. Full Story
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![John Higgins, chief of staff to state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt, can be seen on the far left of this photo with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Higgins pleaded guilty following a Travis County District Attorney Public Integrity Unit investigation into improprieties involving travel reimbursements.]()
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Despite Two Years of Job Growth, Texas Unemployment Inches Up
Texas may have reached a milestone in July, reporting two straight years of job growth. But the unemployment rate inched up again last month, from 7 percent to 7.2 percent, while economic growth remained relatively consistent. Full Story
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The Brief: Aug. 17, 2012
Based on one presidential candidate's campaign schedule, you might think Texas was up for grabs in November. Full Story
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Special Collections a Boon for Universities, Public
For public universities in Texas that are striving to distinguish themselves — particularly those vying to be the state’s next tier-one research institution — special collections in their libraries can provide a boost. Full Story
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![John Young, a professor at Marshall University in West Virginia, does research at the University of Texas at Austin's Harry Ransom Center. The Ransom Center’s approximately $7 million budget, of which roughly $3.74 million comes from the university, dwarfs that of other collections throughout the state.]()
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Even in Budget Crunch, Tax-Free Weekend Lives On
Texas may miss out on the $65 million shoppers are expected to save during tax-free weekend, which starts today. But even as the state faces further budget shortfalls, the holiday, created in 1999, still draws bipartisan support. Full Story
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Off Beaten Path, Coastal Cabins Are Paradise for Their Permit Holders
Through a nearly 40-year-old program run by the Texas General Land Office, several people hold permits to use cabins on remote, state-owned islands near the Intracoastal Waterway. Permit holders love the isolation — and the fishing. Full Story
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![Bill and Gail Mullinax's 720-square-foot Laguna Madre cabin is accessible only by boat. It is about a 10-minute ride from the nearest marina in Corpus Christi, where the couple lives.]()
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Property Tax Easy to Hate, Tough to Mess With
Property tax bills are big, but they have a couple of political advantages for legislators. For one thing, they don't take most of the blame over those levies. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 16, 2012
Your evening reading: review finds cuts have closed more than 60 family planning clinics; North Texas cities set to begin West Nile aerial spraying; report says state has cut more than 6,000 jobs Full Story
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![This clinic in Mission is closed because of budget cuts to Planned Parenthood.]()
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Weekend Insider: Pocket Prairies, School Spending
Houston conservationists reintroduce native plants to the area, and we examine how much money school districts spend per student. Full Story
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