During Dan Branch's first year in the House, he was a driving force behind an effort to prevent the disclosure of conflicts of interest that can arise when lawmakers work for firms that lobby the state Legislature. Full Story
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With his opponent's lapses in disclosure making headlines in recent days, some are now questioning GOP attorney general candidate Dan Branch's own commitment to transparency. Full Story
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Watch the video of our panel discussion on HB 5, the sweeping education bill passed by the 83rd Legislature, at our symposium on STEM education at UT-Dallas. See the rest of the day's panels on our multimedia page. Full Story
Why should you support the Trib with a generous gift this week? Because an informed, educated, engaged state is a better state — and our journalism, data and events are the way there. Full Story
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Prominent Texas Democrats are backing David Alameel in a primary runoff for U.S. Senate. His opponent, Kesha Rogers, supports impeaching President Obama and argues that state party leaders are out of touch with their voters. Full Story
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In the Texas Legislature, it is often possible to tell legislators' political affiliations by their race and ethnicity. It's a result of voting patterns, voting rights laws and the way political maps are drawn. Full Story
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For years, much of the debate over fracking has focused on groundwater pollution. But as a multimillion-dollar legal ruling recently illustrated, those concerns have at times been overshadowed by new worries about air pollution. Full Story
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Land Commissioner (and former lieutenant governor hopeful) Jerry Patterson will endorse David Dewhurst in the primary runoff contest over Dan Patrick, Dallas radio station KERA reported on Sunday. Full Story
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In an interview on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry acknowledged that his failed 2012 bid for president was a "botched" attempt, but said, "I think America is a place that believes in second chances." Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Texas, Texans running for president and more. Full Story
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While confiscations of illicit cellphones in prisons have dropped, a Tribune investigation found that few inmates or correctional officers face legal consequences for smuggling the devices. Full Story
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It was confirmed this week that Gov. Rick Perry was recently baptized in the same creek as Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas. So our playlist starts with Alison Krauss singing "Down To The River to Pray." Full Story
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The best of our best content from April 28 to May 2, 2014. Full Story
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The first televised debate in an increasingly bitter Republican runoff for Texas lieutenant governor featured testy exchanges between David Dewhurst and Dan Patrick, who sparred over immigration policy and other topics. Full Story
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The Alamo Colleges system on Friday named a student member to its board of trustees. According to the system, Jacob Wong will be the first student in Texas to serve as a trustee on a community college board. Full Story
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State Sen. Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general, violated the Texas Securities Act by soliciting investment clients without being registered as required by law, according to a disciplinary order made public Friday. Full Story
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The market value of agricultural products sold in Texas has increased in recent years, but production has declined steeply, according to the latest figures from the federal Census of Agriculture released Friday. Full Story
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While health officials have repeatedly raised concerns with a state contractor for its role in opening the door to a massive Medicaid fraud scheme, they have not severed its multiyear contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Full Story
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Several Texas politicians have helped draw national attention to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's plans to manage a stretch of Red River land. Area lawmakers who have been working this year on a resolution welcome the extra attention. Full Story
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It doesn't matter how many votes you get in a legislative or congressional election as long as it's more than the opponent. It is possible to win a legislative election with fewer votes than some of the losers. Full Story
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