Agenda Texas: Revisiting the Texas Miracle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama's visit to Austin on Thursday as part of a new jobs tour has again put the state's economy in the spotlight. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Disclosure Bill Won't Get a Vote
UPDATED: Rep. Giovanni Capriglione's bill to require legislators to disclose their business contracts with government entities won't get a vote in the House — unless he can tack it onto an Ethics Commission reform bill. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Evening Brief: May 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Cruz files amendment to block pathway to citizenship in immigration bill; judge says East Texas cheerleaders can keep displaying Bible verses; House budget chairman says talks with Senate have stalled Full Story
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![Ted Cruz at the JW Marriott hotel in Houston on May 29, 2012.]()
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Judge: High School Cheerleaders Can Display Religious Messages
A state district judge ruled Wednesday in favor of cheerleaders at an East Texas high school in their national headline-grabbing lawsuit to display religious messages during athletic events. Full Story
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![As two Kountze football players prepare to play a game on Oct. 5, 2012, one holds a banner with a Bible verse. A Hardin County judge recently ruled that the high school's cheerleaders can continue to display signs with religious messages at football games.]()
Credit: Eric Kayne -
With Bill Pending, School Choice Supporters Rally
As major charter school legislation awaits consideration in the House, school choice supporters gathered at a Capitol rally to hear from several lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Full Story
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TribCast: Dead Bills, Obama and Disqualifying Gestures
Ross, Reeve, Becca and Jay cover a range of topics including bills dying in the legislature, a political fight over religious gestures, the effort to create a new university in South Texas and President Obama's visit to the state. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Cruz Files Amendments to Immigration Reform Measure
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has jumped into the immigration reform debate by filing several amendments to the legislation put forth by the “Gang of Eight.” His proposals call for additional fencing on the border and blocking a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in Houston on May 3, 2013.]()
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As Clock Ticks, Medicaid Expansion Dwindles
UPDATED: With the prospect of Medicaid expansion on life support, protesters gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to urge state leadership to expand coverage to poor adults, and state Democrats announced that they’re still searching for a legislative vehicle to expand coverage. Full Story
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![Rep. John Zerwas R-Fulshear at TribLive event discussing health care in Texas on February 27th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Legislature Honors World War II Vets, Including Perry's Father
The House and Senate took time on Wednesday to honor the state's living World War II veterans, including Gov. Rick Perry's 88-year-old father, Ray Perry. Full Story
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![Gov. Perry, along with his father Ray Perry and Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, on Senate floor where World War Two veterans were honored during a ceremony commemorating VE Day.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Polling Center: Texas' Date With Immigration Reform
As many GOP leaders argue that passing comprehensive immigration reform is in the GOP’s best interest, some data suggests that the long-term interest of party strategists and the short-term self-interest of members of Congress are not necessarily in sync. Full Story
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![Large group for immigration reform, walks up Congress Ave. towards the Texas Capitol on February 22nd, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Villarreal Urges Action on Payday Lending
Payday lenders could see the expansion of local lending regulations across the state, lawmakers warned at a press conference on Wednesday, if a bill that would that would create statewide regulations fails. Full Story
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Perry Gives Lawmakers Roadmap to Timely Departure
It’s still too early to start putting odds on the likelihood of a special session in Texas, but Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday gave lawmakers a roadmap to avoid one. Full Story
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![The Texas Tribune Festival 2012 Opening Session: A conversation with Gov. Rick Perry and Evan Smith, Sept. 21, 2012.]()
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Travis County DA Could Be Released From Jail Thursday
Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, in jail on a drunken driving conviction, could be released as early as Thursday. Full Story
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Mexico's Decision on Access for U.S. Agencies Put Under the Microscope
Analysts and lawmakers say Mexico’s recent decision to change the access that U.S. law enforcement agencies have in that country should not be considered a slap in the face. But the strong ties between the two nations could be impacted. Full Story
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Conflicts Emerge Over Location of Valley University, Med School
UPDATED: After months of waiting, there is finally movement on legislation to create a new university and medical school in South Texas. But now disagreements are emerging over who will decide where the medical school is located. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
With Disposal Wells in High Demand, One County Pushes Back
Texas' fracking boom has given rise to an influx of wells used to dispose of drilling wastewater. But the proliferation of disposal wells is raising environmental and safety concerns, as one South Texas county has discovered. Full Story
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![Texas Railroad Commission lead engineering technician for districts 1 and 2, Michael Polasek, inspects a salt water disposal injection well at a Heckman Water Resources commercial disposal facility on the LAMZA lease near Highway 80, January 22, 2012.]()
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News App: Tracking the Status of House Bills
Most of the legislation filed this session by members of the Texas House never made it out of committee. This new app tells you the number of bills filed, referred to committee and left, forever, in committee after the deadline passed. Full Story
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The Brief: May 8, 2013
Amid pressure from Gov. Rick Perry, the House has signed off on one of his top legislative priorities this session: business tax cuts. Full Story
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King Pulls Measure on Public Integrity Unit Oversight
State Rep. Phil King on Tuesday pulled an amendment that would transfer power over the state’s public integrity away from Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg. But King said he has the support to attach it to future bills. Full Story
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House Gives Early OK to Franchise Tax Measure
UPDATED: The House’s most sweeping attempt at tax reform this year passed on a preliminary vote on Tuesday after hours of at times acrimonious debate. House Bill 500 which would spend an estimated $667 million over the next biennium. Full Story
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