The Brief: July 7, 2015
State Democrats' "Texas Two-Step" method of allocating delegates to the presidential nominating convention is over after nearly 40 years, raising the importance of the state's primary for presidential candidates. Full Story
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![The Texas Democratic state convention on June 8, 2012]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TCU, UNT Teaming Up to Start Medical School
Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center have announced plans to jointly launch a new medical school in Fort Worth. Full Story
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Democrats Ask Abbott for Task Force on Confederate Monuments
Five Democratic lawmakers have asked Gov. Greg Abbott to form a task force to consider the appropriateness of Confederate monuments located on the Capitol grounds in Austin. Full Story
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Cecil Bell Urges Resistance to Gay Marriage Ruling
State Rep. Cecil Bell Jr. didn't announce a speaker bid on Monday, instead focusing his much-hyped "major announcement" on a call for citizens and states to resist the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling. Full Story
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![State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, in his seat on the House floor on May 14, 2015.]()
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Gay Couple Suing Hood County Gets Marriage License
A Granbury gay couple on Monday obtained a marriage license from the Hood County Clerk's office after filing a lawsuit against the clerk in federal court. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: Redistricting Reformers Remain Pessimistic After Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court says it is constitutional to let nonlegislators draw the political maps from which legislators are elected. But that doesn't mean it's going to happen in Texas. Full Story
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![Rep. Donna Howard (D-48) on the floor of the Texas House, February 15, 2011.]()
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The Brief: July 6, 2015
With same-sex marriage now legalized, conservative lawyers are beginning to prepare defenses for government employees who refuse to marry same-sex couples due to their religious objections. Full Story
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![Pamela Holwerds holds up her marriage license following the ceremony that married over 40 same-sex couples on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for the Texas Tribune -
Slideshow: Sworn on the 4th of July
Over 40 same-sex couples were married on Independence Day at the Texas state Capitol in what organizers billed as a "Big Gay Wedding" in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bans on such unions are unconstitutional. Full Story
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Cruz Boasts $51M War Chest After Raking in $10M
Ted Cruz said his campaign and the super PACs that support it raised about $10 million during the second quarter, bringing the total available to promote his campaign to $51 million. Full Story
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![U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at Citizens United Freedom Summit in South Carolina on May 9, 2015.]()
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Alamo and Other Texas Shrines Win UN Designation
The Alamo and other historic shrines known as the San Antonio Missions have been added to a list of internationally recognized landmarks that includes the Taj Mahal and the Great Barrier Reef. Full Story
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![The Alamo in San Antonio.]()
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Amid Low Expectations, Perry Revels in Campaigning
After years in the political wilderness, Rick Perry relied on his trademark swagger while campaigning on the Fourth of July weekend in southern New Hampshire. Full Story
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![Former Texas governor and presidential contender gives his stump speech in Windham, New Hampshire on July 4. 2015.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston -
Conservative Lawyers Prepare to Defend Same-Sex Marriage Opponents
With Republican leaders vowing to protect the religious freedom of government officials who refuse to recognize same-sex marriages, here's a look at the legal arguments conservative attorneys plan to use to defend those officials in court. Full Story
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![Dr. Sid Hall, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, wears a rainbow pin on his lapel during a press conference at the Texas Capitol on June 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
New Hampshire Republicans Not Ruling Perry Out
New Hampshire Republicans are showing up to hear Rick Perry's second presidential campaign pitch. But attendance isn’t commitment among New Hampshire’s high-maintenance, fickle electorate. Full Story
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![Rick Perry delivers his stump speech to Republican voters and activists at a lake house near Derry, New Hampshire on July 3, 2015.]()
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Texas Hopes to Attract More Mental Health Care Workers
A program created this year will help pay mental health professionals’ student loans if they practice in a medically needy area. The program seeks to alleviate the state’s shortage of mental health professionals, which watchdogs are calling a "public health emergency." Full Story
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![Demonstrators participate in a mental health rally at the Texas Capitol, organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, on Feb. 28, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Patrick Dissolves His Advisory Board
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is dissolving the grassroots advisory board he established in January, saying several of its members, including Tea Party organizer JoAnn Fleming, "expressed a desire for greater independence." Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bills on last day of 84th Legislative session June 1, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
New in TribTalk: Simpson on Gay Marriage
With religious liberty and freedom of conscience under assault, Gov. Greg Abbott must call a special session to end government marriage licensing, writes state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview. Full Story
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![Frank Roberts of the Travis County Clerk's office hangs a sign directing couples to the clerk's office on June 26, 2015.]()
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In Letter, Lawyers Threaten to File Complaint Against Paxton
Roughly 150 Texas attorneys have signed on to a letter threatening to file a complaint with the State Bar of Texas against Attorney General Ken Paxton for his response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage. Full Story
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![Senator Ken Paxton listens to a supporter following his announcement to run for Attorney General on Thursday, August 1, 2013.]()
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Despite Legal Woes, Paxton Emerges as Culture Warrior
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, under scrutiny for his financial dealings, stayed out of sight and coasted into office last fall as part of the new Republican leadership. Now his legal troubles are back, just as he's emerging as the hero for social conservatives who fueled his candidacy. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media in June 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Roundup: Abortion Law, Same-Sex Marriages and County Clerks
In the Roundup: The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halts implementation of a Texas abortion law, same-sex newlyweds enjoy the benefits of legal matrimony and Texas leaders weigh in on county clerks' religious freedom rights. Full Story
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New in Texas Weekly: Gay Marriage Mobilizing Voters
The recent gay marriage ruling might mobilize voters on both sides of the aisle, the Cruz camp gives preliminary fundraising figures and Perry's humorous fundraising appeal — all that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
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