The Evening Brief: Aug. 9, 2013
Your evening reading: Data on the public's understanding of the Affordable Care Act; a couple of weeks until a decision from state Sen. Wendy Davis; an upcoming debate on CSCOPE Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Polling Center: Perry’s Whack at the Obamacare Piñata
While most Americans do in fact have an opinion on the Affordable Care Act, to say that they understand it — at all, let alone “all too well” — runs contrary to the data currently available. Full Story
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![U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius met in Austin with leaders from the health care industry to discuss the Affordable Care Act on Aug. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Outsiders Have Squeaky Wheels in Common
Jonathan Stickland and Trey Martinez Fischer don't have a lot in common ideologically, but they have at least one similarity: Their use of the House's rear podium as a platform when they're outnumbered or ignored. Full Story
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![Group of House members gather around the back mic before vote on supplemental bill HB 10 which ultimately cleared the House on February 21st, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
While Abortion Faces New Limits, Women's Health Gets a Financial Boost
In the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers sought to mitigate the impact of 2011 budget cuts by boosting women's health spending. But advocates have raised concerns that new abortion restrictions could create additional burdens. Full Story
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In an Accident, Drivers Have New Reasons to Stay
With new laws increasing the penalties for drivers involved in hit-and-run fatalities or those who fail to stop and render aid, advocates hope there is more incentive for drivers to stay at the scene of accidents. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Laurie Griffin holds a photograph of her daughter Courtney outside the offices of state Rep. Elliott Naishtat on July 23, 2013. Griffin's daughter was killed by a driver who left the scene of the 2011 accident. Griffin has worked with Naishtat to pass news laws in Texas regarding certain hit-and-run cases.]()
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The Brief: Aug. 9, 2013
Obamacare — how Texas should implement it and how opponents in Washington should fight it — was a hot topic in Austin on Thursday, and the views expressed were not necessarily the most predictable. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Sebelius open to "uniquely Texan" approach to health reform; Abbott declines to embrace Cruz's temporary government shutdown idea; Paul's former presidential campaign accused of bribery Full Story
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![U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius met in Austin with leaders from the health care industry to discuss the Affordable Care Act on Aug. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Detours Around Government Shutdown
Attorney General Greg Abbott said Thursday he would never give up the fight against Obamacare, but the gubernatorial candidate declined to embrace a temporary shut-down of the federal government promoted by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Phil Roeder -
How Would You Fare on the 2013 STAAR Tests?
We're making available for download all of the 2013 STAAR exams for grades three through eight, along with their answer keys, courtesy of the Texas Education Agency. Full Story
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Credit: Texas Education Agency / The Texas Tribune -
Polling Center: Joe Straus and the Other Republicans
Many statewide Republican candidates are running to the right to position themselves for the primaries, but the Speaker of the House enjoys a rarified position: An office with statewide reach that doesn't appear on the statewide ballot. Full Story
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Amid Tension, UT-Austin Touts Fundraising Numbers
As tensions remain between the University of Texas at Austin leadership and the University of Texas System, the university focused on the positive Thursday when it announced that it had broken its single-year fundraising record. Full Story
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Sebelius: We're Open to "Uniquely Texan" Expansion of Medicaid
The federal government is open to expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in a way that is “uniquely Texan,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday in Austin. Full Story
![U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius met in Austin with leaders from the health care industry to discuss the Affordable Care Act on Aug. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Under New State Ratings, Most Schools Met Standards
Under a new accountability system, Texas schools are placed in two categories: "met standard" or "needs improvement." The state education agency announced Thursday that 93 percent of Texas school districts achieved the first designation. Full Story
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With Big War Chest, Abbott Starts Spending
With the biggest war chest in the state, Attorney General Greg Abbott will be hard to beat in his campaign for governor. His campaign has spent more in the first half of this year than it did in 2012. Where is the money going? Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Keeping Old Oil Wells from Leaking
When it comes to drilling deep into Texas to bring up oil and natural gas, things can go wrong. Sometimes wells, especially old ones, leak. Full Story
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![Roughnecks repair a leaking oil well near downtown Kilgore.]()
Credit: Dave Fehling, KUHF News/StateImpact Texas -
Whooping Crane Case Poised to Have Impact on State's Water Supplies
A federal appeals court will hear arguments Thursday in a lawsuit over whooping cranes that could have major implications for Texas water supplies and for natural resource planning across the United States. Full Story
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![Whooping Crane in flight in Texas.]()
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Extra Cash Means New Equipment for 911 System
Lawmakers have increased the Commission on State Emergency Services' budget by 33 percent. That will help update its 911 system, which serves 224 of Texas' 254 counties. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![One of two 911 dispatch phones in the Rockdale Police Department in Rockdale, TX.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 8, 2013
With the third special legislative session complete, some lawmakers are already beefing up for the political battles that lie ahead in the 2014 election cycle. Full Story
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Visualization: Texas Water Plan's Most Expensive Projects
Cities, counties and rural water user groups across Texas submitted thousands of project ideas for the 2012 State Water Plan. Explore the most expensive projects regions submitted with our visualization. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Ryan Murphy -
The Evening Brief: Aug. 7, 2013
Your evening reading: Dewhurst unveils his re-election team; elected officials discuss border policies crafted by out-of-touch leaders in Washington; judge halts trial in Fort Hood shooting Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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