The Brief: April 1, 2014
The focus of the governor's race swung back to public education on Monday with GOP candidate Greg Abbott rolling out a pre-K proposal in a Weslaco elementary school. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, have both made education a central point in their gubernatorial bids.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Jenn Whitney -
Perry Lobbying for A&M Official to Take Over TxDOT
Gov. Rick Perry is encouraging state transportation commissioners to tap Joe Weber, Texas A&M’s vice president of student affairs, to be the next executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry attends groundbreaking ceremony for Teletón USA CRIT children's rehabilitation center in San Antonio, Texas, on August 6th, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Perry: Federal Anti-Prison Rape Standards "Impossible" to Achieve
Gov. Rick Perry told federal officials he would not sign a form complying with regulations meant to prevent prison rape and assault. Prison reform advocates worry the decision could have financial and legal consequences. Full Story
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![Major Michael Gruver in recreation area of Clements Unit (r) and a Guard tower near front gate of Clements Unit, Texas Department of Corrections (l).]()
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Abbott: Tie Additional Pre-K Funding to Outcomes
Announcing the first of his education policy proposals Monday, Greg Abbott called for reforming pre-kindergarten programs before expanding access, saying that additional funding should be tied to academic outcomes. Full Story
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![Candidate for governor Greg Abbott outlines his vision for Texas in a speech to TPPF on Jan. 10. 2014]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Former Legislator Ray Hutchison Dies at 81
UPDATED: Dallas attorney Ray Hutchison, a former legislator, gubernatorial candidate and husband of former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, has died, sources said Monday morning. He was 81. Full Story
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![Ray Hutchison]()
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Demolition Mission Targets Laredo Eyesores
For the first time on the border, the National Guard is teaming up with the Border Patrol in Laredo to help rid the city of dwellings that were once havens for drugs and smuggling. Full Story
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![3006 Frost is one of several homes cleared for teardown in the "Operation Crackdown" project in Laredo, TX, March 26, 2014.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney -
Analysis: For the GOP, It's the Year of the Hunter
The Republican establishment is finding itself in the role of the hunted, as conservatives — especially in statewide races — dominate the political conversation. Full Story
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![Pictured are (clockwise, from top left) Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato / Daniel Kramer / Callie Richmond -
A Tour of the San Antonio Water System
More than 80 lawmakers, legislative staffers, water planners and reporters toured the facilities of the San Antonio Water System on March 19. Here's what they saw. Full Story
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![The lobby of San Antonio Water System headquarters in San Antonio, featuring an 11-foot model of a low-flow toilet.]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
The Brief: March 31, 2014
Delegates to the GOP state convention in June could find themselves with another big immigration battle on their hands. Full Story
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![The Republican Party of Texas says the guest-worker program it backs in its platform is a practical solution, denying claims by Democrats that they are merely pandering to Latinos]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
As Testing Begins, Push to Opt Out Draws Attention
A Waco family has made headlines for publicly telling their school district that they do not want their fourth-grader taking state standardized tests, which begin this week. Read the full story at KUT News. Full Story
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Credit: Shannan Muskopf -
Inside Texas Politics: Trains, Schools and Plastic Bags
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Bud Kennedy about Texas' ranking in public education, plastic bag bans, high-speed rail 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 March 30, 2014.]()
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Despite Conservation Success, Water Still Vexing for San Antonio
Despite its internationally renowned successes in water conservation, San Antonio is still struggling to quench its thirst amid explosive growth. Will its search for new water supplies risk its reputation as a green city? Full Story
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![A cascade aerator is shown at the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant outside of San Antonio, where the San Antonio Water System maintains an underground storage reservoir.]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
The Playlist: The Big Oil Spill
Following a spill of thousands of gallons of fuel oil into Galveston Bay, we decided to start this week's playlist of songs inspired by Texas news with Houndmouth's "The Big Oil Spill." Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by John Jordan -
TribLive: A Conversation With Kacal, Raney and Schwertner
Full video of my 3/27 TribLive conversation at Texas A&M University in College Station with state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, and state Reps. Kyle Kacal, R-College Station, and John Raney, R-College Station. Full Story
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from March 24-28, 2014. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Anneke Paterson -
Analysis: A Big Idea That Comes With a Big Price Tag
Texas voters don't like property taxes, and Republican Glenn Hegar has said he favors eliminating them. His opponent in the comptroller's race, Mike Collier, is talking up the likely result: a huge increase in sales tax. Full Story
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![State Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, speaks to state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott, Davis Oil and Gas Records Show Contrast
Neither Greg Abbott nor Wendy Davis has spent much time talking about the energy industry and regulations. But Texans should have little trouble distinguishing their positions. Full Story
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![Gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis are shown on primary night on March 4, 2014.]()
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Medicaid Fraud Settlement Worries Health Providers
For providers who treat the state’s poorest patients, a settlement between the state and a Medicaid provider raises questions about how the state distinguishes fraudulent intent from human error. Full Story
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![Helen Hawkins, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, treats 13-month-old Kevin Gorostieta at Carousel Pediatrics in Austin on Nov. 8, 2012.]()
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The Brief: March 28, 2014
The absence of big-dollar Democratic donor Mikal Watts is starting to draw notice. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
5th Circuit Upholds Texas Abortion Regulations
Siding with the state of Texas, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that there isn’t enough evidence that the state's new abortion regulations create an undue burden on the majority of Texas women attempting to access abortion. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond