The Brief: June 6, 2014
Texas' longest-serving governor has set the table for a second presidential run, but he has to reckon with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this time around. Full Story
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Texas Ranchers Vote on Boosting Beef Marketing
Across Texas, ranchers are voting this week whether to expand a program that promotes the beef industry. The election has sparked debate on the way beef business is done in the state and across the country. Full Story
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Credit: Nathan Bernier/KUT News -
New in TribTalk: Keffer on the Budget; Davis and Busby on Gay Republicans
State Rep. Jim Keffer argues that Republican voters are being misled on the budget, and Jeff Davis and Christopher Busby of Log Cabin Republicans say it's time for the Texas GOP to make room for LGBT voters. Full Story
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![The exterior of the Texas Capitol in April 2014.]()
Credit: Anneke Paterson for The Texas Tribune -
TDCJ Policy Reduces Witnesses to Executions
As public scrutiny of the state's execution process is increasing, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is more strictly implementing a media viewing policy that means fewer witnesses to the controversial procedure. Full Story
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![The execution chamber seen from one of two witness viewing rooms at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Huntsville Unit.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Judge in Texas School Finance Case Faces Recusal Hearing
The next step in nearly two years of litigation over the troubled Texas school finance system is a hearing on whether District Court Judge John Dietz should recuse himself from the case. Full Story
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![After a trial that lasted more than three months, Travis County District Court Judge John Dietz ruled in February 2014 that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
USCIS Announces Instructions for Deferred Action Renewals
UPDATED: Two years after President Obama announced his executive decision on deferred action, benficiaries are nothing the anniversary with gratitude and trepidation. And they now have instructions on renewing their status. Full Story
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![Deferred action recipients can get a two-year reprieve from deportation proceedings and a work permit. Undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for at least five straight years, are in school or have graduated from high school or have obtained a GED, or are honorably discharged from the military, may apply.]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
At GOP Convention, Perry Signs Off Without a Goodbye
While the outgoing Texas governor was set to give a farewell address at the kickoff of the state's Republican Party convention, Rick Perry's remarks on Thursday sounded more like a "see you soon." Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Rick Perry woos the Republican crowd in Fort Worth on June 5, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Instructs Public Universities to Review Finances
Following the revelation that the University of North Texas has received up to $84 million in excess state funds over roughly the last decade, Gov. Rick Perry has instructed the state's public universities to review their accounting. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the Star of Texas Awards ceremony on Sept. 12, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
BLM Report Shows Safety Concerns Along Disputed Red River Land
A new report by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management highlights North Texans' concerns about a disputed stretch of land along the Red River – including feral hogs, trash, meth labs and a general lack of management. Full Story
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![Texas landowner Tommy Henderson speaks to a gathering of politicians, landowners and others at a bridge over the Red River near Byers, Texas, on April 28, 2014.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
Consumer Advocates Scrutinize Prepaid Electricity Plans
Consumer advocates fear prepaid electricity plans could leave low-income Texans vulnerable to hidden fees and sudden electricity shutoffs. But companies that offer the plans say there is great consumer demand for them. Full Story
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Immigration Debate Poised to Have Starring Role at GOP Convention
With the long and contentious 2014 primary season over in Texas, it's state party convention time. And as Texas Republicans meet this week in Fort Worth to work on their party platform, immigration is set to be a key point of discussion. Full Story
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![Debate over the immigration plank of the Republican Party of Texas' platform will be a key part of the GOP's convention in Fort Worth from June 5-7, 2014.]()
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Further Tensions at UT System Revealed in Internal Emails
For months, UT Regent Wallace Hall has been trying to have a private meeting with Kedra Ishop, the director of admissions at UT-Austin. The strife it has caused is the latest dispute involving Hall, UT-Austin and system leaders. Full Story
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![Regent Wallace L. Hall, Jr. of the University of Texas System at the regular meeting of the Board on May 15, 2014]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: June 5, 2014
The unveiling of revised Republican Party platform language on immigration and homosexuality highlighted coverage of the state convention in Fort Worth on Wednesday. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Dawn Paley / Caleb Bryant Miller -
New in TribTalk: Conway on Abortion
Melissa Conway of Texas Right to Life makes a case for why the anti-abortion movement is a justice movement. Full Story
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![Group from the Tarrant County Republican Party gather outside the Wiley G. Thomas Jr, Colisem where Texas Sen. Wendy Davis D-Ft.Worth is expected to announce her candidacy for Texas Governor]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribCast: GOP State Convention and Closing Facilities
Reeve, Corrie, Emily, and Ben discuss the upcoming state convention of the Republican Party of Texas, the proposed closing of state-supported living centers and the legacy of Grace Garcia, the late executive director of Annie’s List. Full Story
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O'Rourke: El Paso VA Wrong About Wait Times
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke said Wednesday that according to a study commissioned by his office, it takes El Paso veterans seeking mental health care more than two months to see a provider, and as many as a third go without treatment. Full Story
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![Bonnie D'Amico holds a photograph of her son Nicholas D'Amico, who committed suicide after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.]()
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Draft of State GOP Platform Cuts Guest-Worker Language
An early draft of the Republican Party of Texas' platform shows that language approved two years ago supporting a guest-worker program could be removed. Full Story
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![Participants in a rally for immigration reform marched toward the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
New in Trib+Water: A Tough Canoe Race, Reservoir Debate
In this week's edition of the Trib+Water newsletter: a tough canoe race, a planned northeast Texas reservoir spurs debate and an interview with Jordan Furnans of INTERA. Full Story
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Analysis: Dems Found Candidates, if Not Voters
A year ago, Texas Democrats were still looking for candidates. Now the candidates are looking for Democrats. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, Sen. Wendy Davis, and Sen. Royce West took part in the Stand with Texas Women Rally at the Capitol on July 1, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
In South Texas, Hopes Rocket Site Will Launch the Local Economy
Private aerospace company SpaceX has received a preliminary green light from the FAA for a launch site in the southern tip of Texas. Some in Brownsville are over the moon about the economic windfall it could bring. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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