On Sunday, Attorney General Greg Abbott officially began his campaign for governor and spent the rest of the week touring the state. In light of this launch, we start this week's news-inspired playlist with "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. Full Story
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Batheja on transportation funding negotiations, Hamilton examines a debate over how to save a Central Texas river, Ramsey on a political race that could be a good fit for Davis, Luthra on education efforts regarding the federal health insurance exchange, Serrano on college credit for veterans, M. Smith on Abbott's story of adversity, Murphy creates a campaign finance analyzer, Root on Abbott disputing claims he had a deal with Perry, Dehn's video of the HB 2 signing and Aaronson on an expected climb in Medicaid enrollment. The best of our best for the week of July 15 to 22, 2013. Full Story
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State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, has filed large information requests with the University of Texas System, in part to find out about regents' ties to Austin businessman Jeff Sandefer. In June, Sandefer turned the tables on her. Full Story
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Your evening reading: In Iowa for evangelical conference, Cruz stirs 2016 speculation; House and Senate to negotiate transportation funding deal; Dewhurst says he saw "bags of feces" confiscated at Capitol. Full Story
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Lawmakers wanted flexibility for local school districts to “have it their way” in implementing new high school curriculum requirements, House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock told the State Board of Education on Friday. Full Story
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The Senate met briefly Friday to pave the way for negotiations to begin with the House over the details of a plan that would increase transportation funding by nearly $1 billion a year. The goal is for both chambers to pass the same measure next week. Full Story
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Private organizations are working to educate Texans about coverage options through the federal health insurance exchange, a component of the federal Affordable Care Act that opens on Oct. 1. Full Story
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The price of political celebrity is often the attention it draws from the opposition. State Sen. Wendy Davis raised her profile with a filibuster, and now must decide whether to fight the GOP at home or on a bigger stage. Full Story
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About 140 miles long, the San Saba River in Central Texas is not considered one of the state’s major waterways, but it illustrates — in a state still dealing with a serious drought — the sensitivities surrounding the use of a limited resource. Full Story
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Sweeping new abortion restrictions have been signed into law, but the fight inside the Texas Capitol hasn't ended. Full Story
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A new study has found that Texas businesses pay 61.5 of the total tax revenue collected by the state — 20 percent more than the national average. Full Story
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UPDATED: Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s subscription-based online news channel will launch the week of Aug. 12, he announced Wednesday in a news release. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry signs abortion restrictions into law; House sends transportation funding plan to the Senate; Abbott brings campaign tour to El Paso. Full Story
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The House voted 108-25 for a measure that would boost funding for the Texas Department of Transportation without raising taxes or fees, but lawmakers said they expect the Senate to make changes to the proposal. Full Story
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In a visit to El Paso on Thursday, Greg Abbott said that if elected governor, “I’ll shorten the distance between Austin, Texas, and El Paso by my several visits here to fully embrace the entire community." Full Story
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Three Planned Parenthood family planning facilities in Southeast Texas will close by the end of August, citing the loss of access to funding. The closures aren't related to recently approved abortion restrictions. Full Story
UPDATED: The Texas House approved a resolution Thursday to posthumously award a special medal to a Texas-born World War II hero after efforts to issue it earlier this year fell apart. Full Story
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With a few dozen protesters chanting outside and a Capitol auditorium full of supporters, Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 2 — the omnibus abortion legislation — into law Thursday morning. Full Story
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Led by Attorney General Greg Abbott, Texas has fought the federal government for control over various issues, including environmental regulation and oversight of voting laws. Use this interactive to look at the current legal battles. Full Story
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The state's growth spurt continues, and one way to see what's ahead is to look at the state's youth population. Use these maps to see the raw population growth and fastest rates of growth in two groups: Texans ages 4 and younger and Texans from ages 5 to 19. Full Story
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