The Evening Brief: May 15, 2013
Your evening reading: Abbott urges groups to contact him if they were targeted by IRS; Gohmert rips Holder at hearing; Dewhurst calls for investigation of abortion provider Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, during a Senate Finance committee hearing on Feb. 5, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Dewhurst Calls for Investigation of Abortion Provider
Harris County authorities and the Texas Department of State Health Services are investigating a Houston doctor accused Wednesday by an anti-abortion group of performing late-term abortions in 2011. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
New Regent Requirements Head to Governor's Desk
UPDATED: After the Senate concurred with amendments in the House, a bill adding restrictions and requirements for regents of the state's university systems is on its way to the governor's desk. Full Story
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Senate Backs Bill on Psychotropic Drugs for Foster Children
UPDATED: The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would require a foster child's guardian to give informed consent before that child could be put on psychotropic drugs. The Senate will now conference with the House on a final agreement. Full Story
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GOP Donor Releases Songs Opposing "Obamacare"
Last week Houston physician Steve Hotze, a major Republican campaign donor, announced he was suing the federal government over the Affordable Care Act. This week, he's singing a similar tune — literally. Full Story
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Interactive: Tracking Education Reform Bills
At the start of the legislative session, bills that would strengthen the state's charter school system, overhaul teaching requirements and address accountability for underperforming school districts were a top priority for many advocacy groups and some lawmakers. Use our interactive to track their progress. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
After West Disaster, Little Discussion on Soil Issues
As the fertilizer plant explosion in West continues to elicit debate about regulation, one factor that hasn’t been discussed as much is the unique needs of the soil in Central Texas. Full Story
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Credit: Colette Kessler, USDA -
Hope Remains for Partial Victory on Road Cash
With less than two weeks before the end of the 83rd legislative session, efforts to find more funding for the Texas Department of Transportation are sputtering. Full Story
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The Brief: May 15, 2013
Days after a stalemate threatened to force lawmakers into legislative overtime, chances of a special session for the state budget have dwindled. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Martinez Fischer Grills UT System Regent in Hearing
During a tense meeting of the Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations on Tuesday, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer asked UT System Regent Brenda Pejovich about the controversy surrounding the system board's governance. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Agenda Texas: Water Funding Gets New Life
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: A plan to fund future water infrastructure projects in Texas may be back from the dead. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Evening Brief: May 14, 2013
Your evening reading: campus carry bill clears Senate committee; House budget chief says leaders close on water, education deal; Cornyn video on border deaths sparks debate Full Story
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![State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury on Sept. 5, 2012.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Campus Carry Bill Passes Senate Committee
A measure by state Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress, that allows college students, faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus is heading to the full Senate after a committee approved the measure Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Cypress, stands among House members during the consideration of a point of order on a campus carry bill on May 4, 2013.]()
Credit: Bob Daemrmich -
No Reforms for Railroad Commission This Session
A name change and several ethics reforms on the table this legislative session for the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees oil and gas drilling, died on Tuesday in a House committee. Full Story
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Cornyn Video on Border Deaths Stirs Controversy
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has released a new video and an accompanying opinion piece describing the hundreds of migrants found dead every year near the Texas-Mexico border. But advocacy groups say Cornyn is part of the problem. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Sends Campaign Disclosure Bill to Perry
UPDATED: A divisive measure requiring the disclosure of certain unreported political donors passed the House on a 95-52 vote on Tuesday with little of Monday's debate. The measure now heads to Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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Hearing on Innocence Commission Bill Draws Heated Testimony
A Senate committee hearing turned explosive on Tuesday when the brother of a wrongfully convicted man who died in prison railed against a senator who opposes the creation of an innocence commission. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Pitts: Budget Leaders Close on School and Water Financing
State lawmakers would spend $3.2 billion for public education and $2 billion for water funding under plans being worked out by budget leaders, House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts said Tuesday. Full Story
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Morton Act, Prosecutor Accountability Bill Head to Governor
House lawmakers on Tuesday approved two bills meant to ensure that wrongful convictions, like the one that Michael Morton behind bars for nearly 25 years, don't happen to others. The measures will stop next on Gov. Rick Perry's desk. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Intelligence: About Those Special Sessions...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about the likelihood of special sessions, the issues that might force them and whether there will be multiple such sessions. Full Story
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