At Amazon Hub, Abbott Presses Legislative Agenda
Gov. Greg Abbott used a speech Friday at Amazon's massive new distribution center outside San Antonio to press his legislative agenda. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott tours Amazon's new distribution center Friday outside San Antonio. The hub in Schertz is one of three in Texas.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
In N.H. Speech, Perry Targets Clinton on Foreign Policy
Without directly naming Hillary Clinton, former Gov. Rick Perry ratcheted up his criticism of the Democratic presidential contender on Friday afternoon at a gathering of New Hampshire Republicans. 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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After Dog Shootings, House Approves Canine Training for Cops
Three years after a police officer shot and killed their 5-year-old border collie, Mark and Cindy Boling watched Friday as the Texas House voted for a police canine training program they have been calling for since the day the dog died. Full Story
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![Lily was shot and killed on May 26, 2012, by a Fort Worth police officer.]()
Credit: Cindy Boling -
After Misfire, House Reloads Open Carry Bill
After a bit of a Democratic gamesmanship shot down a major gun debate before it started, a measure that would allow gun owners with a concealed handgun license to carry their weapons openly in public is back on the House schedule Friday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, held an impromptu press conference to explain the postponement of his open carry bill after House Democrats raised a point of order on April 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas House Approves "Denton Fracking Bill"
UPDATED: The Texas House on Friday approved House Bill 40, which would pre-empt local efforts to regulate a wide variety of oil and gas activities. Full Story
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![State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, lays out HB 40 that would curb local control over oil and gas activities on April 17, 2015. With a 122-18 vote, the House sent the bill to the Senate.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Abbott's Caution on Display in Tax Fight
Texans grew accustomed to the swagger and bombast of Rick Perry, a governor who didn’t shy from confrontation with the Legislature and upended the notion that his office was inherently weak. Newly elected Gov. Greg Abbott, ever cautious and lawyerly, is cutting a different path. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a Tax Day press conference on April 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New in Texas Weekly: Dream Act Gets More Lege Support
More lawmakers are skeptical of move to undo the Dream Act, House-Senate brinksmanship continues on tax relief and the Tea Party rallies on Tax Day — all that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
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Analysis: Winning and Losing Without Even Voting on the Bills
Voting against legislation isn't the only way to kill it. Some of the most powerful tools available to Texas legislators are found in the dry pages of their parliamentary rulebooks. Full Story
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![House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel shows the rule book to a group of House members including Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, during a point of order called on HB 11 March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Roundup: Death Penalty, End-of-Life Care, Shark Fins
In the Roundup: State lawmakers kept busy this week advancing a slew of items in both chambers – including a measure on the trade of shark fins. And they considered several controversial bills in committees. Full Story
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The Brief: April 17, 2015
Health and Human Services chief Kyle Janek finds himself in the spotlight again over a contract awarded to a single bidder. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Failed Hospital Deal Reveals Ties to Janek
Three years ago, a company called Geo Care Inc. gave HHSC chief Kyle Janek a blueprint for privatizing state hospitals. The only contract awarded — privatizing Terrell State Hospital — ended up going to that same company. Full Story
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![Terrell State Hospital is one of 10 state psychiatric hospitals.]()
Credit: Texas Department of State Health Services -
Point of Order Ends Discussion on Integrity Unit Bill
Legislation that would relocate the state’s anti-corruption unit was temporarily derailed in the House on Thursday because of a missing element in the legislation. Full Story
Credit: Anneke Paterson for The Texas Tribune -
A&M Chancellor Requests Resignation Letters at Flagship Campus
Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp has asked all vice presidents at the system's flagship College Station campus to submit letters of resignation prior to the arrival of the school's new president. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
After Purple Hearts, Fort Hood Victims to Get Benefits
A week after dozens of Purple Heart medals were awarded to victims of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the Army announced Thursday that those victims will also receive all possible benefits that come along with the medals. 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 -
DPS Chief: Resume Inquiry Into Border Security Contracts
Looking to clear the Texas Department of Public Safety's name, the agency’s top official is asking the head of the state's anti-corruption unit to renew a halted investigation into $20 million no-bid border security contracts. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw gives testimony during the joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking in La Joya, Texas July 24th, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Look at How Texans in Congress Are Raising, Spending Campaign Cash
Midnight marked the deadline for Texas' members of Congress to file their campaign fundraising reports with the Federal Election Commission. Here's a look at what they're raising — and spending. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas' 10th District talks about recent immigration issues at TTEvents on Feb. 19, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Committee Waters Down Ethics Reform Legislation
Proposed ethics reform legislation underwent a significant overhaul Thursday in a Senate committee. Gone is the plan to take state pensions from lawbreaking lawmakers. Also out: a proposal to stop legislators from cashing in on a piece of the public debt business. Full Story
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![State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Gov. Greg Abbott; and state Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: A Conversation With Seliger and Zerwas
Full video of my 4/16 conversation with state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond — the chairmen, respectively, of the Senate and House Higher Education committees. Full Story
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Cruz Aide Leading New Political Action Committee
The campaign manager for Ted Cruz’s successful 2012 Senate bid, John Drogin, will run a new political action committee that endorsed the senator on its first day in operation Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Analysis: A Senate Trying to Regulate Its Own Spending Habits
The Texas Senate wants to limit growth in the state budget — by adding a fifth spending limit to state law. Full Story
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![State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative orientation session on Jan. 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Robin Daemmrich
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