House Takes Step to Patch Pension Fund Hole
State workers would pay more into their retirement system but get pay raises to offset the cost under legislation that earned preliminary House approval Monday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, co-chair of the House Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations, is shown calling an executive session on May, 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Former Lead Budget Writer Lobbies to Cut Texas "Pole Tax"
Former House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, is lobbying for the Texas Entertainment Association — the euphemistically named trade group for the state’s strip clubs. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Big Money, Little Ideas in Legislature
With a huge pot of extra money to inspire them or tempt them to make grand proposals, Texas lawmakers have opted for thrift over big ideas. That's a little out of character. Full Story
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The Brief: April 13, 2015
The big political news of the weekend was the long-expected launch of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. It was a move that made waves even in ruby red Texas. Full Story
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![Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton readies for the onslaught of book patrons at BookPeople on June 20, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New in TribTalk: Glenn Beck on Tesla
Texas' laws prohibiting Tesla Motors from selling cars directly to consumers are completely inconsistent with everything the state is supposed to stand for, Beck writes. Full Story
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![A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires.]()
Credit: Tesla Motors -
Cruz, Perry Take Different Approaches to Targeting Hillary Clinton
While U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry unsurprisingly agree former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would make a bad president, they have taken different approaches to explaining why. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Former Mayor to Challenge Hinojosa for Congressional Seat
Weeks after resigning as mayor of Rio Grande City, Republican Ruben Villarreal has confirmed he will challenge longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, Democrat of Edinburg, for his seat in Texas' 15th Congressional District. Full Story
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![Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben Villarreal]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar -
Inside Texas Politics: The Dream Act
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jim Douglas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey, the show opens with a discussion of the Dream Act. Full Story
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![Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on April 12, 2015.]()
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Four Reasons Why Texas Matters for Clinton
Texas is likely to play a significant role in the Democratic front-runner’s presidential bid, and Clinton could return the favor. Full Story
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![Hillary Clinton speaking in Austin on June 20, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Ron Paul Skeptical of Senators' Motives in Iran Deal Demand
Ron Paul on Saturday cast skepticism on the motives of senators who want a congressional review of President Obama's emerging nuclear deal with Iran — a group that includes his son, presidential candidate Rand Paul. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and son Rand speak at a Tea Party rally at the Texas Capitol on May 6, 2012.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Playlist: On the Trail
It’s less than a year until the first presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the 2016 race is already well underway, so we start off this week's playlist off the news with a campaign-themed set. Full Story
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Despite Rocky Start, Agriculture Commissioner Defends His Record
A collection of unflattering headlines has lawmakers and one of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's predecessors questioning whether the world-champion calf roper was ready to steer a billion-dollar agency. But Miller is brushing off the criticism. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from April 6 to April 10, 2015. Full Story
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Video: Agriculture Commission Has Hand in Texas Lotto
Millions of dollars ride on the balls the Texas Lottery uses for its various drawings. The state Department of Agriculture helps preserve the integrity of the process as part of its consumer protection duties. Full Story
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Credit: Justin Dehn -
Cruz to NRA: Come and Take It!
Invoking the Battle of Gonzales cry “Come and Take It,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz took his case for the presidency to National Rifle Association activists at the organization’s annual spring meeting in Nashville on Friday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday, April 10, 2015.]()
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Facing Blowback, Ethics Bill Could Lose Punch
Gov. Greg Abbott wants ethics reform, but the legislation working its way through the Senate faces major revisions as early as Monday. The debate demonstrates how difficult it is for legislators to change the rules that govern their own behavior. Full Story
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![State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, at a Tribune event on Dec. 11, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Shapes Plan for Private Scholarships
In its quest for school choice legislation, the Senate is backing away from traditional vouchers and heading toward a plan that would use donations to fund scholarships for low-income students trying to get out of weak schools. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to debate on SB 8 franchise tax reform measure during Senate action March 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Driving Home Contrast, Perry Calls 2016 a "Show-Me-Don't-Tell-Me Election"
Former Gov. Rick Perry, drawing a sharp contrast between himself and his less experienced rivals for the White House, said Friday the 2016 presidential race will be a "show-me-don't-tell-me election" in which the candidate with the strongest resume will prevail. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry addresses the National Rifle Association's annual meeting Friday in Nashville. He used the speech to say the 2016 presidential election will not be about "lofty rhetoric."]()
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Slideshow: Fort Hood Shooting Victims Receive Purple Hearts
In a solemn ceremony Friday, dozens of Purple Heart awards were given to victims of the 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood, which left 13 people dead and dozens injured. Full Story
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![SSG Joy Clark (Nelson), center, and other Purple Heart recipients receive their awards during the Fort Hood ceremony.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Long-Awaited Purple Hearts Awarded to Fort Hood Shooting Victims
Dozens of Purple Heart medals were awarded Friday to victims of the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, capping years of waiting for the United States' oldest military award and the benefits that come with it. Full Story
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![Retired Fort Hood police officer Kimberly Munley, who fired the shots that stopped Maj. Nadal Hasan's 2009 rampage, receives her Defense of Freedom Medal on April 10, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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