The Brief: Sept. 19, 2013
A nascent battle pitting Ted Cruz against House Republicans has burst into full view. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on March 16, 2013.]()
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Texas' Poverty Rate Declines for First Time Since Recession
The percentage of Texans living in poverty dropped from 18.5 percent in 2011 to 17.9 percent in 2012, marking the first decline in the state since the recession began in 2008. Full Story
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![A home in the El Cenizo colonia in Laredo, TX. August 23, 2013.]()
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Interactive: A Closer Look at the 2012 American Community Survey
Use our interactive to see how Texas and its most populous areas compare on several U.S. Census metrics — from poverty levels to rates of the uninsured — according to the 2012 American Community Survey. Full Story
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Texas Again Has Highest Uninsured Rate in Nation
UPDATED: In addition to having the highest rate of people without health insurance in the nation, Texas also has the largest number of children without health insurance, according to U.S. census data released late Wednesday. Full Story
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Perry, O'Malley Face Off in Job Creation Debate
Gov. Rick Perry, who has targeted Maryland as part of his ongoing campaign to lure out-of-state companies to the Lone Star State, went head to head with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on job creation on Wednesday. Full Story
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Patrick Defends Charter School Bill Before SBOE
Key charter school legislation would not have passed during the last legislative session without a provision removing much of the State Board of Education's authority in approving applications, state Sen. Dan Patrick said Wednesday. Full Story
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![Sen. Dan Patrick R-Houston gives opening remarks during CSCOPE debate on August 24th, 2013]()
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Head of LCRA Announces Resignation
Becky Motal, general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority, announced Wednesday that she will retire at the end of this year. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Sept. 18, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry dismisses criticism of Maryland gun factory tour; Cruz praises Boehner for advancing effort to defund Obamacare; Abbott unlikely to sue over San Antonio ordinance Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry addresses the National Right to Life convention.]()
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TribCast: Embargoes, Pauken and Health Insurance
Reeve, Becca, Evan and Ross discuss Wendy Davis' embargoed announcement of a coming announcement, the gubernatorial campaign of Tom Pauken and the latest on Rick Perry's approach to federal health care reform. Full Story
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Cornyn: Time Left to Fix Specific Flaws in Immigration Laws
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday said that even without a comprehensive overhaul to the country's immigration system, the federal government should address a problem that led to the release of more than 2,800 sex offenders from federal custody. Full Story
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Group Targets Perry's Business-Recruiting Trips
As Gov. Rick Perry visits Maryland in his latest effort to recruit businesses to relocate to Texas, a Washington, D.C.-based group is taking aim at the governor’s trips and raising questions over how they are funded. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry attends a groundbreaking ceremony for the CRIT Texas Teletón USA children's rehabilitation center in San Antonio on Aug. 6, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
AG's Office Unlikely to Sue Over San Antonio Ordinance
A spokesman for the Texas attorney general's office, citing a wording change in San Antonio's recently passed nondiscrimination ordinance, said the state is unlikely to file suit over the ordinance. Full Story
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Bar Association: Death Penalty System Falls Short
Despite recent improvements that aim to prevent wrongful convictions, an American Bar Association report released Wednesday says much work remains to ensure fairness in the application of the death penalty in Texas. Full Story
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Remade Higher Ed Board Focuses on Relationships With University Systems
After surviving a difficult sunset review process, a somewhat remade Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is reaching out to improve its relationships with the state's university systems. Full Story
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As Austin's Lakes Dwindle, Gulf Coast Residents May Suffer
As the Highland Lakes that supply Austin drop to near-historic lows, the Lower Colorado River Authority is considering cutting off flows to Matagorda Bay. But officials on the Gulf Coast say the move could devastate the economy. Full Story
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![Kayak fishers in east Matagorda Bay.]()
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The Brief: Sept. 18, 2013
A pre-announcement announcement has fueled speculation that state Sen. Wendy Davis is preparing to run for governor. 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.]()
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An Announcement From Wendy Davis, Sort Of
Sen. Wendy Davis will announce her future political plans on Oct. 3. Davis has said she will run either for re-election or for Texas governor, but most signs are pointing toward the latter. Full Story
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![State Sen. Wendy Davis, flanked by her father, Jerry Russell, and her two daughters, delivering her victory speech at the Fort Worth Hilton on Nov. 6, 2012.]()
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The Evening Brief: Sept. 17, 2013
Your evening reading: former SBOE chairman urges "final blow to the teaching of evolution"; Van de Putte takes issue with Dewhurst remark at debate; Texas again has nation's highest uninsured rate Full Story
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![Former State Board of Education members Don McLeroy and Cynthia Dunbar at a meeting in March 2010.]()
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A Third Legal Challenge to Texas Voter ID Law
On the eve of the first statewide election in which Texans will have to show photo IDs to vote, groups representing minority voters and officeholders sued to block the state’s new voter ID law. Full Story
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Evolution, Textbook Review Focus of SBOE Hearing
A past Texas State Board of Education chairman and outspoken creationist urged his former colleagues on Tuesday to approve high school biology textbooks he said would "strike a final blow to the teaching of evolution." Full Story
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![Rally outside the TEA building where the Texas State Board of Education will be hearing public testimony on proposed new science textbooks on September 17th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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