The Brief: May 12, 2015
The nonprofit group that has been secretly videotaping legislators this session has drawn the scrutiny of the Texas Rangers, the Houston Chronicle reports. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House Shoots Down Increased Financial Disclosures
The Texas House on Monday night rejected a bill that would have increased the level of detail in personal financial statements filed by lawmakers and other state officials. Full Story
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![State Rep. Chris Turner, left, on the House floor during a budget debate on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Advances E-Cigarette Ban for Minors
Texas moved a step closer to banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors after the state House gave tentative approval Monday to a bill that lawmakers say would prevent young Texans from purchasing nicotine products. Full Story
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![E-cigarettes vaporize a liquid solution for inhalation. They have grown steadily in popularity since they were introduced in 2005.]()
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Senate Approves Bill to Keep Execution Drug Providers Secret
A measure to keep the names of execution drug providers from the public won initial approval in the Texas Senate on Monday. Full Story
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House Gives Tentative OK to Visitation Rights for Inmates
County jail inmates in Texas may no longer have to look at visiting loved ones on a video screen under legislation tentatively passed by the state House on Monday. Full Story
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In Houston, Huckabee Details Energy Plan
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the latest Republican to jump into the 2016 presidential race, took to Texas' oil capital Monday to flesh out his energy plan. Full Story
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![Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks with a reporter after delivering a speech on energy policy in Houston. The Republican presidential candidate spoke about reducing the United States' dependence on foreign sources of energy.]()
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Senate OKs Bill Allowing Pastors to Refuse to Marry Same-Sex Couples
The so-called Pastor Protection Act — a bill that clarifies clergy members' right to refuse to marry same-sex couples — tentatively passed the Texas Senate on Monday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, sits at his desk on March 16, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House Gives Early OK to Expanding DNA Testing
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott Signs Bill to Help Students Who Fail State Exams
Gov. Greg Abbott warmed up his bill-signing pen on Monday, approving a measure ensuring that some high school seniors who fail to pass state exams can seek an alternate route to graduation. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott spoke during the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new building on April 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: Candid Cameras at a Critical Moment in the Legislative Session
Without showing their hand, conservatives outside of government have captured the attention of every nervous conservative in the Legislature at exactly the right time. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: May 11, 2015
The news organization Breitbart Texas confirmed that it has received footage of lawmakers shot by a nonprofit tied to conservative causes, but it has no plans to release any of it before the end of the legislative session in three weeks. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session, Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Copy of Lawmaker Videos Given to Breitbart Texas
A copy of more than 800 hours of video secretly shot of Texas lawmakers by a group with conservative ties has been turned over to Breitbart Texas, the news organization’s managing director confirmed Sunday. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Inside Texas Politics: North Texas Elections
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy, the focus is on North Texas, where both Dallas and neighboring Arlington had elections Saturday. Full Story
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![(L-R) The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy, WFAA's Jason Whitely, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Arlington Mayor-Elect Jeff Williams on Inside Texas Politics on May 10, 2015.]()
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Slideshow: Prisoners Become Preachers
Brazoria County’s 33 newest Christian ministers aren’t your typical men of God. Some have been convicted of murder, and others are locked away for other serious crimes. But a prison program has given them a chance to seek redemption and influence others. Full Story
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![Graduates Vondre Demond Cash (from left) and Gary L. Everett smile at fellow graduate Troup Hubert Foster Jr., as he shows them his diploma. In 2010, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick – then a state senator – and Whitmire visited Angola, La., where officials credit their own program for changing the prison’s decades-long culture of violence. The Texas lawmakers said the site of smiling inmates leading others in prayer moved them and helped bring the program to Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Democrats Face Void as Sylvester Turner Exits
During a quarter century in the House, Rep. Sylvester Turner gained influence as his party lost power by learning the rules and working with Republicans. As the chamber's Democratic pillar leaves to chase the Houston mayor's post one more time, many wonder who will step up in his place. Full Story
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Reveal Radio: Tense Relationship Between "Cop Watchers," Police
Most of the high-profile cases of alleged police abuse today are caught on tape by people who happen to be walking by. But there's also an organized movement of "cop watchers" who consider it their jobs to police the police. Full Story
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![Antonio Buehler, co-founder of the Peaceful Streets Project, films law enforcement during a public intoxication near the University of Texas at Austin on April 24, 2015.]()
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Taylor, Van de Putte Headed to Runoff in San Antonio Mayoral Race
San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor and former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte are expected to advance to a runoff in the race for the city's top job. Full Story
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![San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor (left) and former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte are set for a runoff for the city's top job.]()
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Playlist: This Isn't the Occasional Taco
Issues of surveillance and questions of paranoia kept coming up this week, so this week’s playlist of the news has a quartet of paranoia-themed songs — but we’re not telling you where they’ll crop up. Full Story
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Perry, Cruz Make Their Mark at S.C. Forum for Presidential Contenders
Speaking at a presidential contender forum, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Rick Perry took on issues like foreign policy and religious freedom laws, and they both remembered a certain Alamo commander and South Carolina native. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stumping in South Carolina, an early primary state, on May 8 and 9, 2015.]()
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Spotlight Finds Abbott, and It's Not Flattering
With one letter that he says the media mischaracterized, Gov. Greg Abbott drew a national spotlight, riling up fellow Republicans, national pundits and pro-military friends. But that doesn't mean questioning Jade Helm was a mistake. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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