The Brief: Aug. 9, 2013
Obamacare — how Texas should implement it and how opponents in Washington should fight it — was a hot topic in Austin on Thursday, and the views expressed were not necessarily the most predictable. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Sebelius open to "uniquely Texan" approach to health reform; Abbott declines to embrace Cruz's temporary government shutdown idea; Paul's former presidential campaign accused of bribery Full Story
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![U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius met in Austin with leaders from the health care industry to discuss the Affordable Care Act on Aug. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Detours Around Government Shutdown
Attorney General Greg Abbott said Thursday he would never give up the fight against Obamacare, but the gubernatorial candidate declined to embrace a temporary shut-down of the federal government promoted by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Phil Roeder -
How Would You Fare on the 2013 STAAR Tests?
We're making available for download all of the 2013 STAAR exams for grades three through eight, along with their answer keys, courtesy of the Texas Education Agency. Full Story
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Credit: Texas Education Agency / The Texas Tribune -
Polling Center: Joe Straus and the Other Republicans
Many statewide Republican candidates are running to the right to position themselves for the primaries, but the Speaker of the House enjoys a rarified position: An office with statewide reach that doesn't appear on the statewide ballot. Full Story
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Amid Tension, UT-Austin Touts Fundraising Numbers
As tensions remain between the University of Texas at Austin leadership and the University of Texas System, the university focused on the positive Thursday when it announced that it had broken its single-year fundraising record. Full Story
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Sebelius: We're Open to "Uniquely Texan" Expansion of Medicaid
The federal government is open to expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in a way that is “uniquely Texan,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday in Austin. Full Story
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![U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius met in Austin with leaders from the health care industry to discuss the Affordable Care Act on Aug. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Under New State Ratings, Most Schools Met Standards
Under a new accountability system, Texas schools are placed in two categories: "met standard" or "needs improvement." The state education agency announced Thursday that 93 percent of Texas school districts achieved the first designation. Full Story
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With Big War Chest, Abbott Starts Spending
With the biggest war chest in the state, Attorney General Greg Abbott will be hard to beat in his campaign for governor. His campaign has spent more in the first half of this year than it did in 2012. Where is the money going? Full Story
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Keeping Old Oil Wells from Leaking
When it comes to drilling deep into Texas to bring up oil and natural gas, things can go wrong. Sometimes wells, especially old ones, leak. Full Story
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![Roughnecks repair a leaking oil well near downtown Kilgore.]()
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Whooping Crane Case Poised to Have Impact on State's Water Supplies
A federal appeals court will hear arguments Thursday in a lawsuit over whooping cranes that could have major implications for Texas water supplies and for natural resource planning across the United States. Full Story
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![Whooping Crane in flight in Texas.]()
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Extra Cash Means New Equipment for 911 System
Lawmakers have increased the Commission on State Emergency Services' budget by 33 percent. That will help update its 911 system, which serves 224 of Texas' 254 counties. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 8, 2013
With the third special legislative session complete, some lawmakers are already beefing up for the political battles that lie ahead in the 2014 election cycle. Full Story
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Visualization: Texas Water Plan's Most Expensive Projects
Cities, counties and rural water user groups across Texas submitted thousands of project ideas for the 2012 State Water Plan. Explore the most expensive projects regions submitted with our visualization. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Aug. 7, 2013
Your evening reading: Dewhurst unveils his re-election team; elected officials discuss border policies crafted by out-of-touch leaders in Washington; judge halts trial in Fort Hood shooting Full Story
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AG Endorsements Underscore House Republicans' Split
The notion that Texas Republicans make up two of the three parties in the Texas House is underscored by the latest round of endorsements in the race for the party's nomination to be the next attorney general. Full Story
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![A packed Texas House gallery, filled mostly with the pro-choice group "Stand with Texas Women," cheer during a speech by Rep. Jessica Farrar D-Houston on June 23rd, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
At Border Conference, Speakers Talk Trade, Infrastructure
During a conference on border-related issues Wednesday, U.S. and Mexican officials lauded the growing trade relationship between the two countries. But they added that out-of-touch lawmakers are hindering the economic relationship. Full Story
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![El Paso and its sister city, Ciudad Juárez.]()
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TribCast: Wendy Davis, Ted Cruz, and Rick Perry
Reeve, Ross, Ben and Evan discuss the end of the third special session, speculate about the intentions of Wendy Davis and Ted Cruz, and let's see....I can't. The third one, I can't. Sorry. Oops. Full Story
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Video: Texas Closes Two Privately Run Jails
For only the second time in the state’s history, Texas lawmakers are closing inmate facilities to reduce bed capacity as the state’s prison population continues to drop. Full Story
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A New Campaign Team For Dewhurst Re-Election Bid
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst unveiled a campaign team heavy on national grassroots experience as he officially announced his bid for re-election Wednesday. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the state Senate during the abortion debate on July 13, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond
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