The Brief: March 20, 2013
A Senate committee has advanced a controversial bill that critics say amounts to a backdoor abortion ban in Texas. Full Story
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Updated: Start of Murder Trial Brings Emotional, Graphic Testimony
The first full day of Mark Alan Norwood's murder trial was marked by the emotional testimony and gory photos of the murder scene. It was also notable for the absence of any reference to Michael Morton's wrongful conviction for the crime. Full Story
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![Eric Olson, who was 3 when his mother Christine Morton was murdered in 1986, enters the Tom Green County Courthouse with his wife Maggie Olson for the trial of Mark Alan Norwood on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.]()
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Video: Term Limits Legislation Passes Out of Senate
Legislation that could lead to term limits on statewide officeholders made its way through the Senate on Tuesday. Lawmakers also heard testimony on several high-profile bills in committee hearings. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: March 19, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry says he'll decide this year on another presidential bid; Senate passes statewide term limits; House gives early OK to new South Texas university Full Story
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Senate Panel Considers End-of-Life Bills
A panel of state senators on Tuesday considered two bills that would take drastically different approaches to modifying laws regarding end-of-life care in Texas. Full Story
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Updated: Panel Discusses Bill Allowing Sunday Liquor Sales
As a House committee on Tuesday took up a bill that would allow Texas liquor stores to open their doors on Sundays, one member raised concerns about whether the legislation could make it easier for minors to access liquor. Full Story
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Updated: Panel Discusses UT System Records Request
Sen. Kel Seliger, who co-chairs the Legislature's joint higher education oversight committee, said UT regents should have access to the information they have requested, but the committee wants to make sure it is being gathered and used appropriately. Full Story
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Video: Perry Says He'll Decide on Presidential Bid Late This Year
In an interview with The Shark Tank, a Florida politics blog, Gov. Rick Perry said he would decide whether to run for re-election in June, then make his decision on a presidential bid "sometime later in the year." Full Story
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Senate Committee Passes DNA Testing Bill
UPDATED: Attorney General Greg Abbott is supporting a bill by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, that would require DNA testing of "all biological evidence" in cases where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Full Story
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![Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, c, discusses SB 1292 on pre-trial DNA testing March 19, 2013 with Sen. Robert Duncan, l, and Attorney Gen. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Inside Intelligence: About the Senior Senator...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about exemptions from school property taxes and about the political future of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
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House Gives Early Approval to New South Texas University
Members of the Texas House on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a bill to create a new South Texas university that includes a medical school. Full Story
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The Polling Center: Papal and Public Opinion on Gay Marriage
Whether or not the Catholic Church remains strongly opposed to gay marriage under Pope Francis I, one thing is for sure: There is a clear and widening gap between papal and public opinion on same-sex relationships in the U.S., and Texas is no exception. Full Story
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Recycling Oilfield Water Has Far to Go in Texas
In Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale, natural gas companies recycle water as a matter of course. But recycling is only getting started in the Texas oilfields because using freshwater for hydraulic fracturing is cheap. Full Story
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![Employees at Omni Water Solutions working on the "HIPPO," a mobile frackwater recycling unit.]()
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Lawmakers Take Aim at Human Trafficking
Several major highways in Texas make the state a hub for human trafficking. State lawmakers, like Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, are hoping to make progress this legislative session with bills aimed at curbing the crime. Full Story
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Bill Adds Protections for Those Who Film On-Duty Officers With Phones
A state Senate bill aims to give extra protections to people who film on-duty police officers with their smartphones or other devices. The author, Sen. Craig Estes, says the measure addresses charges that could be filed as retribution. Full Story
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New Official Means New Chapter in Texas vs. EPA Fight
The rocky relationship between the state and the federal Environmental Protection Agency stretches back years, but a new regional official at the agency says tempers may be cooling. Full Story
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Deciphering a Short Turn at the Governor's Office
Political insiders rarely take things at face value, so it’s not surprising that they are scratching their collective heads over Ann Bishop’s sudden hiring and equally sudden departure from the office of Gov. Rick Perry. 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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The Brief: March 19, 2013
A postmortem of the Republican Party's 2012 losses has pushed immigration reform back into the spotlight. Full Story
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Jury Chosen for Norwood Murder Trial
The prosecutor and lawyers for Mark Norwood chose a jury on Monday that will decide whether the former Bastrop dishwasher is guilty of the 1986 bludgeoning death of Christine Morton. Full Story
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![Mark Norwood exits the Tom Green County Courthouse after jury selection for his trial, Mar 18, 2013.]()
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The Evening Brief: March 18, 2013
Your evening reading: Tea Party leader had ties to American Fascist Party; state representative apologizes for DWI arrest; Cruz opposed resolution on multiple sclerosis Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman
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