Nondiscrimination Ordinance Battle Goes Statewide
As fights brew in several Texas cities over nondiscrimination ordinances protecting gay people, state lawmakers are poised to dive into the fray. Full Story
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Health Commission Ditching Anti-Fraud Initiative Started by Stick
After Jack Stick joined the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General, he incorporated sales quota-like performance standards for investigators. The effort got results, but reviews have been mixed and the initiative is being shut down. Full Story
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![Jack Stick in the evidence room of the state Office of Inspector General in Austin on June 18, 2012.]()
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Jan. 19-23, 2015. Full Story
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Patrick Sets Committees; Taylor Gets Education
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's office on Friday announced new committee members. Among the new chairs: State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who will lead the Senate Education Committee. Full Story
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Three Special Election Runoffs to Be Decided Feb. 17
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that Feb. 17 will be the runoff date for three special elections — Senate District 26, House District 17 and House District 123. Early voting will be Feb. 9-13. Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court May Not Decide School Finance Case Until 2016
Giving both sides time to file briefs and responses will tie up the school finance lawsuit for at least another six months. Then come oral arguments, and the case could easily stretch into next year. Full Story
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Feds Tell Texas to Try Again on Teacher Evaluations
Rejecting a proposed Texas educator evaluation system, federal officials raised concerns about the lack of information tying standardized test results to measuring educator performance. The rejection puts the state's No Child Left Behind waiver in danger. Full Story
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Lawmakers Consider Boosting Earthquake Research
State lawmakers are considering a nearly $2.5 million plan to help answer a pressing question in some Texas communities: Why does the ground keep shaking? Full Story
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![Lynda Stokes, the mayor of Reno, Texas, testified before the Texas Railroad Commission on Jan. 21, 2014, about her concerns with an increased number of earthquakes around Eagle Mountain Lake.]()
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Issues of the 84th Lege: The Business Franchise Tax
As our reporters follow state budget and tax issues during the 84th legislative session, they'll keep you updated on legislation related to the business franchise tax, also known as the margins tax. Stay caught up during the session with our 84th Lege page. Full Story
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Groundwater Wars Brewing in Austin's Hill Country Suburbs
A crack in Texas' mishmash groundwater regulatory framework is allowing a water company to pump a huge amount of water from underneath Hays County with virtually no oversight. Full Story
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![Electro Purification's wells (the yellow dots on the map) are outside any regulator's purview. They're also near many other wells that depend on the Trinity Aquifer (the blue and green dots).]()
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A Debate Over Fracking and Local Control
After Denton voters decided to ban fracking, other Texas cities could weigh similar moves. Legislators are expected to look at ways to avoid a city-by-city fight over drilling regulations. This is the fourth video in our eight-part State of Mind series. Full Story
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Analysis: Out of Office, but Not Out of Politics
Former Comptroller Susan Combs, who is off the list of statewide elected officeholders for the first time since 1999, still has a sizable political treasury and a desire to make voters out of conservative Texans who don't pay attention to politics. Full Story
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New in Texas Weekly: Big Changes in Texas Senate
The Senate discards the two-thirds rule, no word yet on pending runoff elections and it's committee assignment time: All that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 23, 2015
More news reports are highlighting growing questions about 21CT's activity at various state agencies. Full Story
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A Deeper Look Inside the State Budget
Keeping up with the ins and outs of the state budgeting process can be tricky. Here's a look at where Texas gets its money and how exactly it's spent. Full Story
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Embattled Tech Firm Keeps State Contract
While other state agencies have canceled contracts with Austin technology firm 21CT, the secretary of state's office said Thursday it plans to continue its business relationship with the company. Full Story
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![Irene Williams of 21CT.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Fired TCEQ Investigator: Law Firm Triggered Dismissal
A former Texas environmental investigator says he tried to blow the whistle on his employer. But instead of helping him, he said, a high-profile Texas law firm tattled on him, leading to his dismissal. Full Story
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Issues of the 84th Lege: Reducing Property Taxes
As our reporters follow issues involving the state budget and taxes during the 84th legislative session, they'll keep a close eye on efforts to reduce property taxes. You can stay updated on this and other issues during the session using our 84th Lege page. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Carson: Don't Talk ACA Repeal Without Alternative Plan
Speaking Thursday at the Texas Hospital Association conference in Austin, potential GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson said it was a “mistake to talk about repealing” the Affordable Care Act without offering an alternative. Full Story
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![Dr. Ben Carson delivered a keynote speech Jan. 22, 2015, at the Texas Hospital Association conference in Austin.]()
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Abbott Announces Appointees to University System Boards
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday announced his nominees to fill upcoming vacancies on university system boards, sending clear signals about his vision for those boards. Full Story
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![University of Texas Regent R. Steven Hicks asks a question on technology licensing during committee meetings on May 14, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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