The Brief: March 22, 2013
He's been out of office for months, but one of Ron Paul's pet issues — gold — may be gaining traction in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Death Details, Gun Testimony Mark Third Day of Norwood Trial
On the third day of Mark Alan Norwood’s capital murder trial, prosecutors concluded their presentation of DNA evidence and presented more evidence that they say connects him to the 1986 murder of Christine Morton. Full Story
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![Defendant Mark Norwood exits the Tom Green County Courthouse after the first day of his trial for the murder of Christine Morton, Mar 19, 2013.]()
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The Evening Brief: March 21, 2013
Your evening reading: former workforce commissioner announces bid for governor; House committee approves budget with additional school funding; Cornyn wants hearing on immigrant release Full Story
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Cornyn Demands Hearing on Unauthorized Immigrants' Release
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Thursday demanded that more information be released regarding the government's decision to release hundreds of unauthorized immigrants from immigration detention centers in Texas. Full Story
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Perry, Some Lawmakers Want Gold Back in Texas
Call it the Rick Perry gold rush: The governor wants to bring the state’s gold reserves back from a New York vault to Texas. Full Story
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TribLive: Freshman Lawmakers on Vouchers
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Ross Ramsey talked to state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and state Reps. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, and Gene Wu, D-Houston, about the prospect of school voucher legislation. Full Story
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House Committee Backs Budget That Includes More School Funding
The $193.8 billion budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee includes an extra $2.5 billion for public education. The bill is smaller than the Senate budget by about $1.7 billion. Full Story
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Lawmakers Discuss Regulating Ownership of Large Animals
A House committee discussed whether to regulate the ownership of “big cats and nonhuman primates" at a hearing Wednesday. Animal rights groups say these animals are a threat to public safety, while owners of tigers, lions and other large cats say they already face enough regulation. Full Story
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The Polling Center: GOP Voters and the Path to Citizenship
Many Republican officials are moderating their views on immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants already in the U.S. Their voters, however, remain opposed to the idea. And Tea Party voters are strongly opposed. Full Story
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Tom Pauken Announces Bid for Governor
Tom Pauken, the former Texas workforce commissioner and former chairman of the Texas Republican Party, confirmed Thursday to the Tribune that he will file to run for governor. Full Story
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Lawmakers, Observers React to Tense UT System Meeting
Longtime employees of the University of Texas System could not recall a split vote on the board of regents, which has traditionally settled differences behind closed doors and presented a unified front. That changed on Wednesday. Full Story
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Gains on State Exams Don't Translate to Improved National Tests
When the state closes a decade's worth of testing under the TAKS exams in April, it will mark the end of a period that saw students’ scores on the standardized tests soar. But that success hasn't translated to improvement on national measures. Full Story
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Wichita Falls Among Cities Whose Water Could Run Dry By Year's End
Wichita Falls is the largest city in Texas in danger of running out of water. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the city of more than 100,000 could run out of water in less than six months. Full Story
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![A plant employee, Charles Cupp, takes water samples at the Cypress Water Treatment Plant in Wichita Falls, on Friday, January 25, 2013. This plant is responsible for the membrane reverse osmosis process being used on the city's water supply. The city estimates that it's total water reserves are hovering around the 40 percent mark as of this year forcing it to begin implementing it's stage 3 emergency water restrictions and furthering steps toward increasing its water reclamation initiative.]()
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Medicaid Expansion Sparks Debate Over Asset Tests
Gov. Rick Perry said last week that any Medicaid overhaul in Texas should include so-called asset testing, "to ensure care is there for those who really need it most." With lawmakers eyeing a Medicaid expansion, such testing is stirring debate. Full Story
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The Brief: March 21, 2013
In a marked departure from 2011, the state Senate on Wednesday passed a two-year budget with relative ease. Full Story
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House Passes Public Utility Commission Sunset Bill
A sunset bill that continues the operations of the Public Utility Commission of Texas won approval Wednesday from the House, though the legislation would adjust how the commission works. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: March 20, 2013
Your evening reading: Senate passes $195.5 billion budget; Cornyn calls talk of pathway to citizenship premature; UT System votes to seek review of Law School Foundation Full Story
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TribCast: Higher Ed Drama, Fracking and Term Limits
Reeve, Ross, Ben and Kate discuss the unfolding drama at the University of Texas System, whether the state has enough water to sustain its fracking activities, and term limits for statewide officeholders. Full Story
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Senate Votes to Approve $195.5 Billion Budget
The Texas Senate approved a $195.5 billion budget Wednesday that even supporters called an intermediate step toward a final spending plan for the next two years. Full Story
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State Leadership Allows CPRIT to Move Forward on Grants
Despite an ongoing grant moratorium, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas received permission Wednesday from state leadership to move forward on contract negotiations for 25 grants. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
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