The Brief: Aug. 12, 2014
Wallace Hall's future at the University of Texas System turned clearer on Monday: Lawmakers scolded the embattled regent but decided to keep him around — for now, at least. Full Story
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![University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall talks with colleague Gene Powell during a break at a regents' meeting on May 14, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New in TribTalk: Beeson on Texas Women; Davidson on Living Centers
Ann Beeson of the Center for Public Policy Priorities makes a case for why the gender gap in Texas politics matters, and John Davidson of the Texas Public Policy Foundation writes that the state should close its troubled centers for people with disabilities. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gun Groups Oppose Proposal to Allow Alcohol Sales at Gun Shows
In an unexpected uproar, gun rights organizations are pushing back against a proposed Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rule change that would allow the sale of alcohol at some gun shows. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Glasgow -
Transparency Committee Votes to Censure Hall
UPDATED: In a 6-1 vote Monday, the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations voted to censure University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Flynn (right), R-Van, talks to state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, on Oct. 23, 2013. Van is co-chair of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations, whose members include Fischer.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Federal Audit: Texas Responsible for Misspent Medicaid Dollars
Texas is “ultimately responsible” for millions of misspent Medicaid dollars, according to a new federal audit, because a state agency failed to properly oversee the contractor. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Peter Skadberg / Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Aug. 11, 2014
The rivalry between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Rick Perry warmed up over the weekend. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas thanks Republican delegates in Fort Worth on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
A New Test for Texas' Abortion Restrictions
The latest legal challenge to Texas’ sweeping abortion measures went to trial in a federal courthouse in Austin last week, as federal judges around the country grapple with the question of how far states can go in regulating abortion — a question likely to end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. Full Story
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![Amy Hagstrom Miller, center, chief executive of Whole Woman’s Health, the lead plaintiff in an abortion lawsuit, outside the federal courthouse in Austin on Aug. 4.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Some Texas Cities Turn to Higher Water Impact Fees
As cities across Texas continue to spread out, water suppliers and local governments are faced with the question of who should pay for building the infrastructure needed to handle the growth. Full Story
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![Real estate developers building new homes are facing higher water impact fees in Austin, San Antonio and other Texas jurisdictions.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: Dueling Ads Before Labor Day
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, we talked about the possible makeup of the state Senate in 2015, Rick Perry and Ted Cruz getting equal billing at RedState, Dan Patrick's new spokesman and more. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on August 10, 2014.]()
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In the Valley, High Hopes for VA Voucher Program
Private medical providers in the Valley welcome additional resources to address the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' massive backlog, but they say the voucher program must be improved to maximize its effectiveness. Full Story
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![Dr. Alexander P. Sudarshan, an ophthalmologist, examined Jose Juan Herrera, a Vietnam War veteran, last month in Weslaco. Dr. Sudarshan treats patients referred by Veterans Affairs.]()
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Abbott: Davis is "Obama's Ideological Twin"
Asked about a Wendy Davis television ad focused on his dissenting opinion in a 1993 case involving a woman who was raped by a door-to-door salesman, Greg Abbott said, “the opinion speaks for itself.” Full Story
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![GOP gubernatorial nominee Greg Abbott speaking at the RedState Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas on August 9, 2014.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
The Playlist: New Man In Town
In a nod to a profile of Jeff Miller, a California transplant who is serving as Gov. Rick Perry's new strategist, written by the Tribune's Jay Root, we start this week's news-inspired playlist with Mighty Sam McClain's "New Man In Town." Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Aug. 4 to 8, 2014. Full Story
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Cruz: 2016 Candidates Should "Stand Up and Lead"
Speaking at the RedState Gathering in Fort Worth on Friday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said “time will tell” whether he would launch a bid for president, but he encouraged those thinking of running for president in 2016 to "stand up and lead." Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz spoke at the Republican Party of Texas Convention on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Proposed Rules Would Allow Alcohol at Gun Shows, With Conditions
The Texas agency that regulates alcohol sales is considering a rule change that would allow alcohol to be served at gun shows, as long as all the guns are disabled and there’s no live ammunition on the premises. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Glasgow -
Border Convoy Arrives in McAllen as Apprehensions Drop
A convoy of anti-illegal immigration activists made it to McAllen on Friday for a rally at the city’s municipal bus station. Full Story
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![Border Convoy's Pete Santilli and La Unión del Pueblo Entero's John-Micheal Torres exchange words during a rally in McAllen on Friday.]()
Credit: Julián Aguilar -
Nearly All Texas School Districts Meet State Ratings
In the second year of a new school accountability system, nine out of 10 Texas districts met state standards, according to ratings released by the Texas Education Agency on Friday. The 2014 ratings show a slight decline from last year. Full Story
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In Speech, Perry Vows to Secure Border, Spread "Red State Policies"
Promising to secure the border and take the Texas approach to government national, Gov. Rick Perry delivered an impassioned speech Friday morning in which he called for conservatives to wage a “war” on “the battlefield of ideas.” Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks during the 2014 RedState Gathering at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas on August 8, 2014.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
In Panhandle, a Growing Need for a Lake's Water
Water systems in the Panhandle and South Plains last week started drawing water from a once-empty lake that is now just over 4 percent full. It's a sign of just how strapped the region is for water supplies. Full Story
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Analysis: Timing of Mayoral Speculation Not on Van de Putte's Side
Last week, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, shot down speculation she was considering a run for San Antonio mayor. The rumors could hurt her prospects on multiple fronts. Full Story
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![Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor Leticia Van de Putte speaks at the Democratic state convention in Dallas, Texas on June 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Alyssa Banta
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