The Brief: Sept. 13, 2012
Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday joined the political clash enveloping the biggest American foreign policy flare-up in months. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Industry Leaders Want Action on "Payroll Fraud"
Tycoons in commercial construction and homebuilding — industries often pegged as harbors for undocumented workers — are urging state lawmakers to close a loophole that guards employers against knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. Full Story
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Civil Rights Group Questions Open-Records Fee
A civil rights group is protesting a new $30 fee for submitting comments on pending open-records requests to the state attorney general's office. The group also wants to know where the money generated from the fee goes. Full Story
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Environmental Groups: Commission Stalling on Clean Energy
Environmental groups filed a petition on Wednesday accusing the state's Public Utility Commission of failing to meet renewable energy targets and thus depriving the state of more solar and geothermal power. Full Story
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![A solar field provides power for a water heating system and xeriscaping on a Fort Bliss Army installation.]()
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Health Care Debate is Front and Center in SD-10
For a race that encapsulates Texas’ raging health care debate, look no further than Senate District 10 in Fort Worth — the matchup between incumbent Democrat Wendy Davis and her challenger, Republican state Rep. Mark Shelton. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Sept. 12, 2012
Your evening reading: Perry blames Obama for attacks in Middle East; poll shows Romney with 15-point lead in Texas; sales tax collections up 12.6 percent over last year Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry presents the Governor's Award for Historic Preservation to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildland Firefighting Teams for their work combating wildfires the state has faced in the past year.]()
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TribCast: Senate Committees and an 85 MPH Speed Limit
Evan, Ross, Reeve and Aman ponder the significance of Texas' new 85 mph speed limit and consider committee chair assignments in the Texas Senate. Full Story
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Joint Committee Considers Financial Solutions for TWIA
Insurance experts, legislators and coastal residents on Wednesday discussed how to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association at the first hearing of the Joint Committee on Seacoast Territory Insurance. Full Story
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Survey Finds Big Lead in Texas for Romney, Thanks to White Voters
Mitt Romney may be struggling in some key swing states, but there’s no slippage for him in conservative Texas, a new survey by a Republican pollster shows. His 55-40 lead over President Obama here is due to a huge lead among white voters. Full Story
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Little Movement for Top Texas Universities in U.S. News Rankings
For the second year in a row, Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin are the only Texas institutions in the top 50 national institutions in U.S. News & World Report's latest college rankings. Full Story
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John Courage: The TT Interview
The Democratic candidate for SD-25, widely viewed as an underdog to Republican Donna Campbell, explains why he thinks he can win, why he's running and what he hopes to do in office. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Billionaire's Firm Makes Initial Payments in Deal Over Radioactive Dump
Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons' Waste Control Specialists, which runs a radioactive waste dump in Andrews County, has made its first payments to the county and state after years of controversy. Full Story
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The Brief: Sept. 12, 2012
Weeks after igniting a political firestorm, Todd Akin still hasn't wooed many Republicans back to his side — least of all the one he could use the most: John Cornyn. Full Story
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Voter Purge Bill Raises Concerns After Living Flagged as Possibly Dead
House Bill 174, which passed with little controversy or fanfare last year, is causing a stir after several voters have been asked to prove they are not dead. Full Story
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Lawmakers Hear Plea for More Fire Department Funding
With the threat of wildfires still looming, firefighters across the state are facing critical funding shortages, state legislators were told at a Senate committee hearing Tuesday. Full Story
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Plan for 85 MPH Road Draws Concerns Focused on Safety and Fairness
Plans to allow the highest posted speed limit in the country on a new Texas toll road are drawing warnings that the project is reckless, while local residents fear their interests are being ignored. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Sept. 11, 2012
Your evening reading: Sadler calls himself the "mainstream candidate"; Perry staffer named Railroad Commission executive director; Assange threatened to sue South by Southwest over documentary Full Story
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Legislator Wants to Reopen State Farm Investigation
UPDATED: Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman replied to a letter from a Texas legislator urging her to reopen an investigation of State Farm over its handling of homeowners' claims after Hurricane Ike, saying the department will continue to monitor the company. Full Story
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Perry Staffer Named Railroad Commission Executive Director
Milton Rister, a former Republican political operative who is currently a member of the governor’s senior staff, will become the new executive director of the Texas Railroad Commission. Full Story
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Inside Intelligence: About Those Democrats...
For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in state government and politics, we asked about the November race for U.S. Senate, whether Democrats will recover faster if Romney or Obama wins, about the GOP's weak spots and about whether the voters are as conservative as the people they've elected. Full Story
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