Republican legislators have proposed adding $100 million to a state-run primary care program specifically for women’s health services, which could avert a political fight over subsidizing specialty family planning clinics. Full Story
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As the price of natural gas has declined, much of Texas' drilling activity has moved south, to the Eagle Ford Shale, leaving the battle-tested Barnett Shale in North Texas with an uncertain future. Full Story
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For the elected judges on the state's highest civil court, the trick is to survive politically without thinking about politics — even on big political issues like school finance. Full Story
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Lawmakers are preparing to examine whether or not the University of Texas System regents are micromanaging their flagship university, while trying to prevent the session from being overwhelmed by controversies reminiscent of 2011. Full Story
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With the sequester triggered, now comes the waiting. Full Story
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Your evening reading: two Texas Republicans vote for Violence Against Women Act; state Senate panel approves $1.5 billion for public education; legislators protest security policy at Governor's Mansion Full Story
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State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, on Thursday filed the latest in a slew of proposals aimed at improving school safety. His bill would provide state funds to train Texas teachers to recognize and respond to mental illnesses. Full Story
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Barratry charges against state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, were dropped on Wednesday following allegations of misconduct by the investigator who pursued the case against him. Full Story
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Death row inmate Nelson Gongora's conviction was reversed by a federal appeals court, which said that a prosecutor's comments regarding his decision to not testify denied him a right to a fair trial. Full Story
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At least three Texas state representatives opted not to attend a reception at the Governor's Mansion this week rather than submit to new security procedures requiring that even legislators submit to background checks to gain access. Full Story
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A panel of senators voted Thursday to put $1.5 billion in additional public school funding in the state's two-year budget. That includes more money for pre-kindergarten programs, the state's Virtual School Network and Teach for America. Full Story
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At the Trib's February 25 symposium on public education at Rice University, I talked accountability and student testing with Robert Duron, the state's deputy commissioner of education; Susan Kellner of Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment; Tom Pauken of the Texas Workforce Commission; and former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. Full Story
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Full video of Emily Ramshaw's 2/27 TribLive conversation about health care with state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, and state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers hope to follow in Virginia's footsteps this session and revamp the way they fund transportation. While Virginia opted to cut gas taxes and raise sales taxes, Texas is looking at other options. Full Story
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The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District board member on the district’s unusually strict water-meter requirements, the drought and how the iPad is making it possible to farm from a cafe. Full Story
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“The border is safe.” That’s a common refrain from lawmakers who say the unprecedented buildup of law enforcement in the region has netted positive results. But as sequestration looms, lawmakers say federal inaction could put that reality in jeopardy. Full Story
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The automatic federal spending cuts set to take effect Friday could have a profound impact on Texas. Cuts to Army bases, like Fort Hood in Central Texas, could cost the state’s economy more than $2 billion. Full Story
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The release of hundreds of immigrant detainees nationwide has further inflamed tensions in Texas over the looming sequester. Full Story
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Rep. Giovanni Capriglione got a rude awakening in his transparency bill's hearing before the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday when members suggested his legislation was a political "vendetta." Full Story
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Your evening reading: at Supreme Court hearing, conservatives skeptical of Voting Rights Act provision; Jeb Bush tells Texas lawmakers to "go big" on education reform; Perry's chief of staff returning to former job Full Story
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