The Evening Brief: July 25, 2013
Your evening reading: Republicans slam Obama administration over Texas voting law push; Davis in D.C. for fundraisers; no deal yet on road funding Full Story
Your evening reading: Republicans slam Obama administration over Texas voting law push; Davis in D.C. for fundraisers; no deal yet on road funding Full Story
State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, on Thursday urged low-income Texans to participate in a program that provides rebates on their electric bills. The Legislature increased the discount to 82 percent this year, but the program is set to expire. Full Story
More than 80 miles of roads in West and South Texas will be converted to gravel, state transportation officials announced Thursday. Officials cited a funding shortfall and the impact of the current drilling boom in making the decision. Full Story
The U.S. Justice Department will seek to once more require that a federal court approve Texas’ controversial voter ID law, despite a Supreme Court ruling that such a practice is outdated. Full Story
Stalled negotiations over a transportation deal have pushed the Legislature to the brink of yet another special session. Full Story
With less than a week left in the current special session and lawmakers anxious to go home, negotiators reached an impasse over transportation funding, prompting the governor to threaten to call a third session if more time is needed. Full Story
With major components of the Affordable Care Act set to take effect in the coming months, Texas' U.S. senators have remained vocal in their calls to defund or dismantle the law. Full Story
State help, including free tuition, is available for students in foster care who wish to pursue higher education in Texas. But foster students often face a host of challenges accessing college, including basic housing and transportation needs. Full Story
An extended drama over a controversial curriculum tool used by Texas public schools took a new turn Wednesday as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst entered the fray with a letter to the State Board of Education and Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick pushed to add the issue to the special session agenda. Full Story
Your evening reading: Abbott, Planned Parenthood reach $1.4 million settlement; Perry to deliver keynote at Americans for Prosperity conference; poll shows Hispanics dissatisfied with Republicans on immigration Full Story
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority analysts recently discovered a large beehive in a tree near Austin's airport. To protect the honeybees, whose population is declining worldwide, the mobility authority asked a local beekeeper for help. Full Story
Reeve, Ben, Aman and Ross discuss the transportation funding bill that stands between lawmakers and the end of the second special session. They also discuss the state of the race to be the next attorney general and reveal their "Carlos Danger" names. Full Story
The Texas attorney general’s office announced Wednesday that it has obtained a $1.4 million settlement with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast for overbilling the state’s Medicaid program. Full Story
We've updated our most popular data feature, the Government Employee Salaries database. With this update, we begin a new and better process that will help keep you abreast of the latest salary changes. Full Story
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is considering closing the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center and two halfway houses after a state budget rider cut funds for the agency's secure facilities. Full Story
Despite representing a district whose constituents are overwhelmingly Hispanic, U.S. Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, D-El Paso, is ineligible for membership in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Some say that should change. Full Story
Today, we are adding and updating more than 200,000 salary records for Texas public employees — and moving forward with a new updating schedule. Full Story
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has clarified its rules to specify that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, is open to homeless youths in Texas and across the country. Full Story
As the governor's race awaits a Democratic entrant, the contours of other key down-ballot contests are beginning to take shape. Full Story
Your evening reading: Branch announces bid for attorney general; Huckabee endorses Patrick for lieutenant governor; Democrats score influx of cash after filibuster. Full Story