The Brief: May 27, 2014
Will Texas buck the larger national trend in Republican politics and go in deeper with support of Tea Party candidates and causes? Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Mysterious Mailer Closes Out Heated Primary Runoff
A political mailer recently sent to thousands of Texans calls on Republicans to elect "Tea Party champions" in Tuesday's runoffs. Many Tea Party leaders throughout the state, however, have never heard of the group that put out the ad. Full Story
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Cost of New Hepatitis Drug Raises Questions About Equal Access
A new treatment for hepatitis C is considered a breakthrough for people with the liver disease. But the high cost of the drug has complicated efforts to get the medication to Texans who receive government-subsidized health care. Full Story
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![Solvadi, a costly but effective new hepatitis C treatment.]()
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Analysis: Ugly Histories Trump Policy Issues
In this month's runoff elections, the candidates have concentrated on qualifications, personal history and reputation. Policy, for now, is taking a back seat. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick debated in Salado, Tx on May 20, 2014, ahead of the Republican primary runoff for lieutenant governor.]()
Credit: Illustration by Steve Moakley -
The Brief: May 26, 2014
The conversation over the weekend before the party primary runoff elections was dominated by — what else? — the GOP race for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and debated in Salado, Tx on May 20, 2014, ahead of the Republican primary runoff for lieutenant governor.]()
Credit: Illustration by Steve Moakley -
Inside Texas Politics: Debating Debates
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 UT System Regent Wallace Hall, various races in Tuesday's runoffs and more. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on May 25, 2014.]()
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The Playlist: I Choose You
President Obama has officially nominated San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro to become the next secretary of housing and urban development, so our playlist inspired by Texas news kicks off with Andy Grammar's "I Choose You." Full Story
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![San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro at the LBJ School of Public Affairs graduation on May 17, 2014. Castro is rumored to be President Obama's Cabinet pick for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).]()
Credit: Erika Rich/BDP -
Conservative Candidates Ride Out Hard Hits
In three statewide Republican runoff races, candidates who have aligned themselves to the right of their opponents are poised to capture the party's nomination despite fielding significant blows from their opponents, including forays into mental health records from three decades ago and a potentially disqualifying violation of state securities law. Full Story
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![Dan Patrick (l) in Salado, Tex., and David Dewhurst in Austin.]()
Credit: Steve Moakley / Todd Wiseman -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from May 19 to May 23, 2014. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva -
Obama Nominates Julián Castro for Cabinet Post
Before a packed crowd in the White House’s state dining room, President Obama on Friday nominated San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro to become the next secretary of housing and urban development. Full Story
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![San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 22, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Analysis: A Speaker Who May Have Less of a Say
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, enters the next legislative session as a clear favorite for re-election, but the issues raised in the conservative wave in this year's elections could dominate the Legislature's calendar. Full Story
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A Longer, Costlier Grind for Primary Candidates
While no one disputes the intentions of the law, candidates and consultants say compliance with the MOVE Act has increased campaign expenses and shortened the time they can focus on the general election. Full Story
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![Ballot-by-mail clerk Chaundra Grattan organizes ballot packages at the Travis County Elections Division in Austin on May 19, 2014.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce for The Texas Tribune -
With State Unit Shuttered, Fuel Tax Fraud Cases Now Flow to District Attorneys
Local prosecutors are now responsible for pursuing cases targeting fuel tax theft after the public integrity unit's motor fuels tax fraud division shuttered last summer, a move that followed state funding cuts. Some are concerned that criminals will see less of a deterrent to fuel tax fraud schemes. Full Story
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![Ismael Gonzalez, 22, with DNT Construction filled his tanker truck with dyed diesel fuel at Tex-Con Oil Company on May 20, 2014, in Austin.]()
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New in Texas Weekly: Dark Money Testimony Draws Resignation
The latest issue of our subscriber-only premier newsletter for political insiders is out. Don't get left behind. Subscribe today! Full Story
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The Brief: May 23, 2014
Confirmation came down from the White House on Thursday night that San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro will be announced on Friday as President Obama's choice to be the next secretary of housing and urban development. Full Story
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Railroad Commission Sides With Driller on Well Protest
UPDATED: The Railroad Commission on Thursday sided with Marathon Oil Company’s bid to dismiss a groundwater conservation district’s protest of its application to inject waste into part of South Texas’ Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. Full Story
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![Each day, dozens of trucks hook up to the Gulf Coast-run fracking fluid disposal well site near Gonzales, Texas.]()
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Indigenous Texans Want United Nations Support Against Border Fence
A Native American tribe has added a new layer to the border wall debate. Lipan Apaches allege the fence discriminates against them because they've been forced to give up some tribal land to accommodate it. Full Story
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![Eloisa Tamez stands near the border fence built on land formerly owned by her family.]()
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Female Lawyers in Texas AG's Office See Bigger Pay Gap Than in California
A comparison of pay in the state attorney general's offices in California and Texas reveals gender discrepancies at both agencies, but shows the pay of female lawyers at the Texas agency fell further behind their male colleagues. Full Story
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Amid Scrutiny of VA Clinics, Legislators Look to Help Cut Wait Times
More attention is being paid to the quality of care at VA medical centers in Texas. Though the state is limited in what it can do to assist the federal facilities, legislators are still proposing possible methods to help reduce wait times. Full Story
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In Ag Commissioner Race, Focus Not on the Farm
Farmers and ranchers in Texas are in trouble, according to recently-released data, but the candidates for Texas agriculture commissioner are talking more about conservative credentials and pot than farming woes. Full Story
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![Runoff candidates for the nomination for Texas agriculture commissioner, from left to right: Republican former state Rep. Tommy Merritt, Republican former state Rep. Sid Miller, Democrat Jim Hogan and Democrat Kinky Friedman.]()
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