The Evening Brief: April 9, 2013
Your evening reading: Senate panel hears impassioned debate over school choice bill; Perry urges Obama to press Mexico to release water to Texas; Cornyn, McCaul file border security measure Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Passes Bill to Keep UT's Top 10 Percent Cap
The Texas Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow the University of Texas at Austin to maintain its cap on automatic admissions no matter the outcome of Fisher v. University of Texas. Full Story
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Perry to Obama: Press Mexico for Water
In a letter to President Obama on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry urged the federal government to press Mexico to release more water to Texas under the terms of a 1944 treaty. Full Story
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![Rio Grande as seen from Chapeno, Starr Co.]()
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Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys Spar Over Child Sex Crimes Bill
A panel of House lawmakers on Tuesday heard prosecutors and defense attorneys debate a bill that would allow prosecutors in child sex crime cases to bring in evidence of prior offenses, including accusations by other children. Full Story
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Education Chairman Urges Panel to Support "Noble Cause"
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, at a Tuesday hearing delivered an impassioned plea in support of the tax credit scholarship plan that is a critical part of the school choice reform package he has pushed this session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Zaffirini Bill Would Clarify Open Records Obligations
State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, filed a bill on Monday to clarify the open records obligations of state agencies, including — some would say specifically — the University of Texas System. Full Story
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![Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, on opening day of the 83rd legislative session, Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Inside Intelligence: About Those Tests...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about standardized tests in schools, about graduation requirements and about whether the tests should be given in private schools that get state money. Full Story
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The Polling Center: Texans Conservative on Concealed Carry
It's no shock that Texans tend to be more conservative when it comes to federal gun control measures. But Texans are also conservative in another, more literal sense when it comes to proposals seeking to reduce the requirements to carry a concealed handgun. Full Story
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Guest Column: The UT Story Not Being Told
When the drama surrounding recent decisions by the University of Texas System regents dominates the conversation about higher education, the truly critical issues facing our students and their families are left unexamined. Full Story
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![University of Texas System Regent Alex Cranberg]()
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Cornyn, McCaul to Introduce Border Security Measure
UPDATED: As a bipartisan group of senators purportedly moves closer to introducing a bill to overhaul the country’s immigration system, two Texas Republicans said they would file legislation to first ensure the border is secure. Full Story
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The Brief: April 9, 2013
With the budget fight largely over, attention in the Capitol has moved back to other contentious issues, like school choice and gambling. Full Story
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![The Texas Senate on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Bill Would Make Pet Adoption Information Private
More than 20,000 animals go through municipal animal shelters in Texas every year, and contact information for their new owners becomes public information. A bill under consideration in the Legislature would change that. Full Story
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Fight Over Information Security Could Jeopardize "Michael Morton Act"
A fight over what defense lawyers could do with information about their clients in criminal cases after prosecutors turn it over to them is threatening to stymie the “Michael Morton Act.” Full Story
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An Anti-Voucher Message, but Implications Unclear
The political sentiment behind the House’s vote against private school vouchers last week is clear. But its particulars — including whether it would ban tax credit scholarships under consideration in the Senate — are less obvious. Full Story
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Proposal: Allow Private Firms to Provide Mental Health Services in Jails
Private mental health care providers would be allowed into select jails to attempt to restore inmates to competency under a proposed pilot program. The restored inmates would then be able to stand for trial. Full Story
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![Christopher Ajayi, a psychiatric technician, makes his rounds at the Harris County Jail.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Seliger: Perry Should Address UT System Tensions
Amid mounting tensions between the University of Texas System and the Legislature, Senate Higher Education Chairman Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, is calling for Gov. Rick Perry to step in and calm the waters. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Agenda Texas: Gambling, Education and the Week Ahead
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Action in the Capitol moves from the House and Senate floors back to the committee rooms, and senators prepare to take up bills on gambling and public education. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session, Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Evening Brief: April 8, 2013
Your evening reading: prospects dim for bill that would cut early-voting period; Carona touts gambling measure ahead of committee hearing; Craddick says he meant to vote against anti-voucher amendment Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Carona Sets the Stage for Hearing on Gambling Measure
"You never really know when a major issue like this will find a break or an opportunity to be passed," state Sen. John Carona said Monday of proposed legislation that could lead to the legalization of casino gambling in Texas. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Bill That Cuts Early-Voting Period Likely to Be Pulled
A bill that would slash the number of days allowed for early voting is likely to be pulled after scathing testimony Monday from opponents who said the bill was discriminatory and retrogressive. Full Story
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Credit: Amy Qualls-McClure
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