The Brief: March 17, 2014
The rightward tilt of the Texas Senate has one of its more hallowed traditions — the two-thirds rule — in danger of going the way of the dodo. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: Try, Try Again
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Bud Kennedy about Gov. Rick Perry's presidential prospects, several runoff contests and more. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on March 16, 2014.]()
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Gubernatorial Hopeful's Wife Might Make History
Cecilia Abbott has been a regular at her husband's side as he travels across the state for his campaign for governor. She could become the first Latina to be the first lady of Texas. Full Story
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![Cecelia Abbott hugs her husband, Attorney General Greg Abbott after he announces his plans to run for governor of Texas during a campaign event at LaVillita in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Playlist: Second Chances
When Jimmy Kimmel asked Gov. Rick Perry if he was considering another run for president, the latter responded, "America is a great place for second chances." So, we begin this week's playlist with "Second Chances" by Gregory Alan Isakov. Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from March 10-14, 2014. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Two Lawmakers Renew Calls for Action Against UT Regent
Two members of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations indicated on Friday that they would like more action taken against a University of Texas System regent. Full Story
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Denton Group Seeking Fracking Ban Cites Gains
UPDATED: A group of concerned Denton residents says it has gathered enough signatures to put a proposed city ban on hydraulic fracturing on the November ballot. Full Story
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Analysis: For Dewhurst, This is All Too Familiar
A runoff against a populist conservative is nothing new for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. But he has to figure out how to win one. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick (Right), R-Houston, listens to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst during the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 9, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Chronicler of Presidents is Bringing Four Together
The lineup for the upcoming Civil Rights Summit hosted by the LBJ Library and Museum is the latest accomplishment for the library's director, Mark K. Updegrove. Full Story
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![Mark K. Updegrove, director of the LBJ Library, with, President Jimmy Carter. Updegrove is hosting an April summit featuring four presidents.]()
Credit: David Valdez/LBJ Presidential Library -
Arming U.S. Customs Agents in Mexico Stalling Bilateral Trade Agreement
A little-known customs agreement between the United States and Mexico removes a major hurdle in how goods move across the border and could be an economic boon to South Texas. Full Story
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![New Federal Inspection Station encompassing Mexican and US Customs at Laredo International Airport, Tuesday, March 11, 2014.]()
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The Brief: March 14, 2014
The Dallas Morning News has obtained an email that seemed to reference attempts by UT System Regent Wallace Hall to undermine UT Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. Full Story
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![UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa announces his resignation on Feb. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott, Davis Add More Fuel to Ethics Debate
As they put their focus squarely on the November general election, Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Sen. Wendy Davis are pushing the issue of potential conflicts of interest for officeholders into a brighter political spotlight. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott, then a candidate for governor and now the governor-elect, spoke at a NE Tarrant Tea Party meeting at Concordia Lutheran Church in Bedford on Nov. 12, 2013. State Sen. Wendy Davis, who was also running for governor, spoke to veterans at Luby's in Forest Hill the day before.]()
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The Polling Center: Does the Tea Party Really Want to Limit Government?
It might be tempting to romanticize the Tea Party as something distinct from the Republican Party, but poll data suggests that Tea Party voters would support using government power to enact unquestionably conservative policies. Full Story
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![Pictured are (clockwise, from top left) Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton.]()
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Analysis: A Kink in the Democrats' Chain
Texas Democratic leaders tried to keep Kinky Friedman off of their November ticket, for fear voters will not take him seriously. But if he wins a runoff for agriculture commissioner in May, he might offer them their best odds for a win. Full Story
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![Kinky Friedman is shown at his Medina ranch on Dec. 12, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
States' Plan to Save Rare Bird Stirs Debate in Texas
Environmental officials in five states, including Texas, say interest in a plan to save the lesser prairie chicken should persuade the federal government not to list the bird as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Full Story
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![The lesser prairie chicken roams in the circled areas above, according to research by state environmental officials and scientists.]()
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UT Hires Firm to Help Find Its Next Chancellor
As University of Texas System regents hired consultants to help find a successor for Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, UT-Austin's president said he would be comfortable with Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek, the governor's reported pick. Full Story
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![UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa (left) and UT Board of Regents Chairman Paul L. Foster are shown at the announcement of Cigarroa's resignation on Feb. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 13, 2014
If the University of Texas System regents tap Gov. Rick Perry's reported favorite, Kyle Janek, as their next chancellor, they won't get pushback from the president of the system's flagship campus. Full Story
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TribCast: Dropping Out, Kimmel and the Private Sector
Ross, Emily, Reeve and Jay evaluate candidates' decisions to remain or not to remain in their runoff races, review Gov. Rick Perry's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and discuss Texas politicians' current and future private sector jobs. Full Story
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T-Squared: Terri Langford is Our Latest Hire
We're overjoyed to announce that we've lured one of the state's great investigative reporters back to Texas to cover criminal justice, the courts and the state's regulatory agencies. Full Story
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Texas Student Creates Travel Fund for Abortions
A 20-year-old UT-Austin student responded to Texas lawmakers' restrictive abortion regulations by founding Fund Texas Women, a nonprofit that pays travel expenses to help Texas women get abortions in and outside of the state. Full Story
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![Lenzi Sheible founded Fund Texas Women, a non-profit organization that pays for women's travel costs associated with obtaining an abortion.]()
Credit: Lenzi Sheible/Todd Wiseman
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