The Evening Brief: March 7, 2013
Your evening reading: former Perry aide received six-figure bonus; protesters rally to allow Planned Parenthood back in Women's Health Program; Cruz wants law banning domestic drone attacks Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry meets with senior staff members at his office in the State Capitol on Jan. 9, 2013.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
UT System General Counsel Resigns
Barry Burgdorf, the University of Texas System's vice chancellor and general counsel, has resigned. He is the latest addition to a growing list of high-ranking officials who have left the system. Full Story
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![UT System general counsel, Barry Brugdorf]()
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New School Choice Bill Would Allow Local Accountability Plans
House Bill 300 from state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, would allow local school boards to opt out of most state regulations to set their own accountability goals. Full Story
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![Rep. Jason Issac, R-Dripping Springs on the House floor, February 8, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Interactive Quiz: Should Texas Expand Medicaid?
Debate is heating up at the Capitol over whether Texas Republicans should strike a deal with the Obama administration to expand Medicaid to poor, uninsured adults. Not sure where you stand? Take our interactive quiz to find out in six clicks or less. Full Story
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TribLive: Aycock on Testing and Accountability
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, talked about correct number of tests a student should take and how he'd revise the state's accountability system. Full Story
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Texas Lawmaker Files Bill to Regulate Self-Driving Cars
Under a bill filed by state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, self-driving cars like the one Google drove around Texas last month would have to have a licensed driver behind the wheel and meet minimum insurance requirements. Full Story
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Hundreds Rally to Let Planned Parenthood Back in Women's Health Program
Hundreds of people rallied at the Capitol on Thursday, demanding that Planned Parenthood clinics be allowed back into the Women's Health Program. Full Story
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![Preparations for Planned Parenthood rally at Texas Capitol on March 7th, 2013]()
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TribLive: Aycock on School Choice
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee, talked about the prospects for school choice legislation this session — and why a business tax credit might not pass muster. Full Story
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Bill Would Allow "Message Boards" for Governmental Bodies
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, filed a bill Thursday that would expand the Texas Open Meetings Act and allow for members of governmental bodies to communicate in an online forum and not break the law. Full Story
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![Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin and Attorney General Greg Abbott, announce legislation to modernize the Texas Open Meetings Act on March 7th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texplainer: Can a University System Regent Be Recalled?
Hey, Texplainer: Can a regent of a university system be recalled or impeached? If so, how could that happen? Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Former Rick Perry Aide Got $162,500 Bonus
Days before she became Gov. Rick Perry's chief of staff, Ann Bishop — already the highest-paid executive officer at a state agency — received a $162,500 bonus from the Employees Retirement System, records show. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry meets with senior staff members at his office in the state Capitol on Jan. 9, 2013.]()
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UT/TT Poll: Texans Favor Surcharge to Help State Pay for Water Projects
Water is a top issue with lawmakers, if not quite there with voters, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. And voters prefer adding a surcharge, based on water usage, to help pay for water projects. Full Story
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Watchdogs: Ethics Law Loopholes Leave Public in Dark About Lobby Perks
Whether it’s lobbyists’ spending on legislators or lawmakers who don't disclose their spouses' interests on personal financial statements, Texas ethics laws are full of holes. Full Story
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Interactive Map: Poverty Estimates by County
Use our interactive to determine which Texas counties have the lowest and highest rates of poverty, broken down by race — a tool designed with data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Full Story
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Legislation Would Help Bring Native Plants Back to Texas
With invasive plant species taking over the Texas landscape, lawmakers are looking at how to bring back native plants. Two new bills could help increase the supply of drought-resistant native seeds in Texas. Full Story
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![George Cates, a manager at Native American Seed's seed cleaning plant in Junction, shows a handful of Bluebonnet seeds.]()
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The Brief: March 7, 2013
Texas' two U.S. senators on Wednesday helped stage one of the longest old-fashioned filibusters in years. Full Story
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![U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (l) and John Cornyn]()
Credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr
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