The Evening Brief: Dec. 5, 2012
Your evening reading: Perry talks tort reform, stem cells in New York; Armey says he had "serious concerns" about FreedomWorks leadership; Cornyn to leave Armed Services Committee Full Story
Your evening reading: Perry talks tort reform, stem cells in New York; Armey says he had "serious concerns" about FreedomWorks leadership; Cornyn to leave Armed Services Committee Full Story
At the Trib's November 29 symposium on higher education at Texas A&M University, I talked about the cost of a college degree, the pursuit of academic excellence and, of course, SEC football with A&M's president, R. Bowen Loftin, and A&M System Chancellor John Sharp. Full Story
Evan, Ross, Reeve and special guest Erica Grieder consider the Texas approach to business incentives and speculate about what state Rep. David Simpson might bring to the speaker's race. Full Story
In New York on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry bragged about his home state's many strengths, praising two of his signature health care initiatives — tort reform and stem cell research — in an interview with Steve Forbes. Full Story
Advocates for a bill requiring police to record interrogations argue it could prevent innocent people from confessing to crimes they didn't commit. Some in law enforcement worry the requirement would make it harder to try cases. Full Story
One year ago, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp moved one of his vice chancellors, Frank Ashley, into a new position unlike any in the state's university systems: vice chancellor for recruitment and diversity. Full Story
Methane, a byproduct of landfill waste, can be used to generate electricity or power industrial equipment. But in Texas, future methane-capturing landfill projects may be at risk. Full Story
If Texas lawmakers expand Medicaid, the spending, savings, enrollment growth and reduction in the number of uninsured would be greater in Texas than in most other states. This interactive compares Medicaid expansion scenarios in each state. Full Story
Intrigue over a former Texas politician's high-profile parting with a major Tea Party group continues to build. Full Story
Your evening reading: Bush calls for compassion in immigration debate; Armey leaves FreedomWorks with $8 million payout; Texas Nationalist Movement says membership has swelled Full Story
At the Trib's November 29 symposium on higher education at Texas A&M University, I talked tuition deregulation, changing demographics and other hot-button issues with state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the new chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. Full Story
At a conference in Dallas, former President George W. Bush urged the nation’s leaders to debate immigration reform with compassion and kindness. Full Story
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has at least one opponent in his bid for a third term in that job, but the circumstances that undid his predecessors in the post don't exist now. Full Story
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about big-ticket infrastructure issues — whether lawmakers will approve any of them and where they might look for money. Full Story
Ask the Texas public a question, and then ask the insiders in Texas politics and government the same question. The gaps are huge. Full Story
Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, is leading an effort to create the Texas Young Legislators Caucus, a bipartisan group that plans to focus on issues that affect Texans under 40 and hopes to engage young people in the legislative process. Full Story
State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and a union that represents prison employees hope to make more history in 2013, suggesting the potential closure of two privately run prison facilities in Dallas and in Mineral Wells. Full Story
Two bills filed by lawmakers recently seek to restrict the actions of federal agencies in Texas. Lawmakers say the bills are meant to stand up for Texans' freedom, but federal agencies say practices targeted by the bills keep people safe. Full Story
The race for speaker of the House may have just gotten a lot more interesting. Full Story
State Rep. David Simpson of Longview, a Republican who rode to office with heavy Tea Party support two years ago, is considering a run for Texas House speaker against incumbent Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio. Full Story