Budget Plans Target Incentives and Testing
The budget proposals released by lawmakers this week show an interest in revamping school testing and the state's economic incentive programs. Full Story
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President's Gun Plan Panned, Embraced by Texas Lawmakers
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, praised President Obama's proposals to curb gun violence, while Gov. Rick Perry shunned efforts to increase regulation and called for prayer. Full Story
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Report Recommends Changes to Tax Exemption for Fracking
A Legislative Budget Board report on how government can be more effective has recommended that the state reduce its gas tax exemption for hydraulic fracturing. Full Story
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Dewhurst, Nelson Tout Proposals to Curb Medicaid Costs
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Jane Nelson on Wednesday discussed new Senate proposals that target Medicaid spending. The plans would institute quality-based payment reforms for long-term care services and measures to catch fraud and abuse. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, outline proposals to reduce Medicaid spending in Texas at a press conference on Jan. 16, 2013.]()
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Video: Stockman Blasts Obama on Guns
On last night's edition of On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren, U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood, repeated his calls for the possible impeachment of Barack Obama if the president pushes for gun control legislation. Full Story
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Texplainer: Will Legislature Take On School Funding Despite Trial?
With a major school finance trial under way, lawmakers are reluctant to take up public education funding before a court ruling on the matter. What they'll do in the meantime remains uncertain. Full Story
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Todd Staples: The TT Interview
The state agriculture commissioner on the state's water crisis, why the Rainy Day Fund should be used to pay for a state water plan and how the money should be spent. Full Story
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Interactive: A Look at Growth in State Spending
The Texas Senate and House have released their first drafts of the state's next two-year budget. Use this interactive to explore how state spending has grown since 2004. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Ryan Murphy / Mike Rastiello / Todd Wiseman -
In Capitol Community, a Push to Beat the Toil of the Session
Every other year, Texas legislators race to get the state's business done in just 140 days — an exhaustive process known for taking a toll on lawmakers' health. But efforts are under way to get the Capitol community to rethink how to stay healthy during the session. Full Story
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Amid Drought, Water Wars Pick Up on Borders
As Texas' drought wears into its third year, the state is locked in a legal conflict over water with New Mexico, and a North Texas county is suing the state of Oklahoma to get access to a vast amount of water. Full Story
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![A view of the Red River looking east, north of Bonham, Texas. Texas is to the right, and Oklahoma is on the left. The border between the two states runs along the south (right) bank of the river.]()
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The Brief: Jan. 16, 2013
New fundraising numbers have sparked another round of speculation about the state's 2014 political battles. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 15, 2013
Your evening reading: Abbott posts 3-to-1 cash advantage over Perry; state lawmakers file bill to broaden financial disclosure; House Republican Caucus picks leader Full Story
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Study: Amount of Water Used in Fracking Climbs, but Will Soon Plateau
A new University of Texas at Austin study funded by an oil and gas group has found that the amount of water used in fracking has risen sharply in recent years but would level off sometime in the decade starting in 2020. Full Story
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Inside Intelligence: About That Money...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked questions about the budget, about how lawmakers will spend the money they've got, the chances for a business tax, and the outlook for other fiscal proposals. Full Story
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Legislation Would Add to Disclosure Requirements for State Lawmakers
UPDATED: State Sen. Wendy Davis has filed companion legislation to a House bill from two freshman legislators — one on the far right, the other on the far left — that would expand the requirements of the state’s personal financial disclosure form. Full Story
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Most Legislators Won't Disclose Tax Returns
The Tribune asked all 180 current members of the Legislature to provide their last three tax returns — and got few takers. Most lawmakers either ignored the request or said they weren’t comfortable with that level of disclosure. Full Story
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George P. Bush: The TT Interview
The co-founder of the Hispanic Republicans of Texas political action committee on his first planned run for office, divisions in the GOP, Hispanics and Republicans, and why he's getting into the family business. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 15, 2013
If money's a show of strength, George P. Bush — who's angling for statewide office — just came out swinging. Full Story
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Despite Surplus, House and Senate Offer Lean Budgets
Both the House and Senate proposed base budgets Monday that will not restore large cuts made to public education in 2011. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Jan. 14, 2013
Your evening reading: White House responds to Texas secession petition; rule changes deal blow to House Democrats; George H.W. Bush released from Houston hospital Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Trevor McGoldrick / Lotus Carroll
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