Lawmakers Mull Bills to Keep Federal Gun Laws Out of Texas
A House committee on Wednesday debated several bills that would make it a crime to enforce new federal gun laws in Texas. Full Story
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New UT-Arlington President Calls University a "Model"
Vistasp Karbhari, who was named the new president of the University of Texas at Arlington on Tuesday, said that he has no plans to dramatically alter the institution's current course. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: March 13, 2013
Your evening reading: Senate committee approves budget that reverses some cuts; UT System chancellor voices concerns over campus carry; Cruz gives first formal Senate speech Full Story
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Lawmakers Back New Mechanism to Fund Port Improvements
Republicans and Democrats from Texas’ congressional delegation have come together to file legislation that would allow for public-private partnerships to fund port infrastructure improvements and staff increases. Full Story
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UT System Leader Expresses Concerns Over Campus Carry
As lawmakers prepare to discuss allowing concealed handguns in college and university buildings on Thursday, the chancellor of the state's largest university system continues to express his concerns with such proposals. Full Story
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Video: Cruz Delivers First Formal Senate Speech
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday gave his first formal speech on the Senate floor, urging his colleagues to support an amendment to defund federal health reform. Full Story
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Senate Finance Approves $195.5 Billion Budget
The budget approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee is 2.9 percent bigger than the estimated size of the current two-year budget. It includes about $8.9 billion more than the first draft Senate leaders unveiled in January. Full Story
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The Polling Center: City Girls and Country Boys in Texas Gun Debate
According to the latest UT/Texas Tribune Poll, rural men and urban women are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes on gun policy. We may not be talking about Mars and Venus, but we’re close. Full Story
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Judge Denies Norwood's Request for New Lawyers
Mark Norwood, accused of Christine Morton's 1986 murder, pleaded unsuccessfully on Wednesday for the judge to appoint new lawyers for him, saying his current representation isn't his "best bud." Full Story
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![Mark Norwood being led into court for the first time on Jan. 18th 2011. He is charged with the 1986 murder of Christine Morton.]()
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Video: Gallego on "The Daily Rundown"
On this morning's edition of The Daily Rundown, U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, told Chuck Todd that a Democrat can win a down-ballot statewide race in the next four-year cycle. Full Story
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Ambiguities Reign in Regulations for Groundwater Fracking
Can groundwater authorities in Texas require oil and gas drillers to obtain permits for the water they use in hydraulic fracturing? No one knows for sure, thanks to ambiguities in the water code. Full Story
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Interactive: Sorting Lawmakers With the Texas Weekly Index
Going by the Texas Weekly Index, which is based on the results of contested statewide elections over the 2010 and 2012 political cycles, the state's most conservative districts are in the Panhandle. Use this interactive to see charts that illustrate the political climate of each district. Full Story
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On the Border, a Puzzling New Trend
Officials have noticed an unusual trend along the border recently: more undocumented immigrants turning themselves in. Though the exact cause is unclear, some say the sequester might have something to do with it. Full Story
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Lawmakers Say Mexico Falling Short on Its End of Water Treaty
A decades-old treaty that mandates how Mexico and the U.S. share water from rivers is once again the genesis of growing frustrations from U.S. landowners and lawmakers. Full Story
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Ruling on Whooping Cranes Could Be Felt Across State
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality safeguards the state’s natural resources, but this week a federal judge found the agency responsible for the deaths of 23 whooping cranes — a ruling with potentially wide-ranging consequences. Full Story
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The Brief: March 13, 2013
A day into his run for land commissioner, Republicans are already feeling bullish about George P. Bush. Full Story
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Bill Would Exclude Elective Abortions in State Health Care Plans
The House Insurance Committee heard debate Tuesday on a bill that would prohibit the coverage of elective abortions in minimum state health plans, and would require women to opt into and pay more for abortion coverage. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
At Hearing, UT Law School Foundation Admits "Mistakes"
John Massey, the board president of the University of Texas Law School Foundation, said in a legislative hearing on Tuesday that the organization made "mistakes" in the operation of its now-defunct forgivable loan program. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: March 12, 2013
Your evening reading: George P. Bush announces candidacy for land commissioner; Senate panel approves prosecutor accountability bill; Dewhurst trying to woo major gun manufacturer to Texas Full Story
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Bills Aim to Help Universities Fund Veteran Program
Two lawmakers have filed legislation that would allocate state funding for education programs that exempt veterans or their dependents from tuition payments. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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