The Midday Brief: Aug. 30, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Romney, in San Antonio, jabs at Perry; poll shows Perry with commanding lead in South Carolina; Napolitano rejects Perry's request for $350 million Full Story
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Rivals Step Up Attacks on Front-runner Perry
He hasn't gotten to wear the "front-runner" crown for very long, but Gov. Rick Perry is already discovering that it comes with a price tag: His rivals are starting to unload on him. Full Story
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Embattled ATF Interim Director Reassigned
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced today that the embattled interim director who oversaw the flawed gun-smuggling investigation known as “Fast and Furious” is stepping down. Full Story
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31 Days, 31 Ways: Despite State Budget Cuts, Border Security Funding Increases
DAY 30 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: During a legislative session where hardly any services were spared the budget ax, funding for border security actually increased. Full Story
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New LCRA Head Orders Reorganization
As the Central Texas utility struggles to retain electric customers, its new general manager, Becky Motal, announced that four senior positions have been eliminated and said staff reductions "may be necessary." Full Story
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José Rodríguez: The TT Interview
The first-term state senator on being outgunned by Republicans during the legislative session, what the Democrats accomplished and how he thinks Gov. Rick Perry will do in 2012. Full Story
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The Brief: Aug. 30, 2011
Gov. Rick Perry on Monday hinted at what his foreign policy as president might look like. Full Story
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Brian's Song: Where's the Love for Texas State?
When UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa unveiled his action plan last week, it was national news. Not so when Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System, did the exact same thing — a week earlier. Full Story
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Drought Scrambles Water Utilities' Finances
A number of cities are making more money than usual from selling water this year because people are using more water to compensate for the lack of rain. But rates in many places are going up, to fix broken pipes and fund new supplies. Full Story
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Van Arsdale Seeks Return to House
Former state Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, defeated in Tomball in the 2008 Republican primary, will run for an open seat in Cedar Park in 2012. Full Story
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Perry Sets Aside Stump Speech to Address Veterans
Gov. Rick Perry set aside his stump speech Monday when speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in San Antonio. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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From Our Archives: Visualizing Rick Perry's Book, "Fed Up"
Gov. Rick Perry's book, Fed Up!, has 56,000 words with "federal," "government," "people," "Washington" and "states" the most commonly used. His favorite term for Social Security — "Ponzi scheme" — only appears twice. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: Aug. 29, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry sticks to "Ponzi scheme" claim; why Perry's like Bill Clinton; a closer look at Texas jobs Full Story
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Video: Perry Announces Housing Program for Vets
During his speech this morning at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national conference in San Antonio, Gov. Rick Perry announced a new $3 million grant program to help veterans buy, build, rehabilitate and rent homes. Full Story
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31 Days, 31 Ways: State Cuts Nursing Education Funding
DAY 29 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The state has dramatically reduced support for nursing education, meaning Texas will continue to face a critical shortage of registered nurses. Full Story
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Studying Perry's Past Debates for Clues About Future Ones
How will Gov. Rick Perry's upcoming debates differ from his past debates in Texas, where he's had much more influence over the ground rules. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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Why Perry Threatens Bachmann
On policy issues, Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann have plenty in common. But as Catharine Richert of Minnesota Public Radio News reports, there's a lot of daylight between them on experience and fundraising. Full Story
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The Brief: Aug. 29, 2011
Texas will play host this week to the quietly escalating battle between Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Full Story
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Miracle or Mirage, What Kinds of Jobs Has Texas Created?
The debate over whether job creation in Texas economy is a "mirage" or a "miracle" raises several questions: What jobs do Texans commonly hold right now? How much do those jobs pay? And what jobs is Texas creating? Full Story
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Perry is "Fed Up" With D.C., But Inconsistently
Gov. Rick Perry has at times been inconsistent in applying his states' rights beliefs, raising questions even among Republicans about whether his stance is as much campaign positioning as a philosophical commitment. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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