The Midday Brief: June 16, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Republicans reverse Democrats' Rainy Day win; the Ten Best/Worst writers explain themselves; Perry polling in single digits in Texas survey Full Story
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![State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, on June 16, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Poll: Obama Almost as Popular as Perry in Texas
Likely voters in Texas approve of President Barack Obama almost as much as they approve of Gov. Rick Perry, according to the third and final release of poll results from the Texas Lyceum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of civic leaders. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry on May 30th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribLive: Why Dewhurst Made the Ten Worst List
At this morning's TribLive conversation, the authors of Texas Monthly's biennial Best and Worst Legislators story explained why they put Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on the Ten Worst list. Full Story
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The Brief: June 16, 2011
Gov. Rick Perry's swing through the U.S. this week has left some Texas Democrats — still holed up in Austin — less than enthused. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at the voter ID bill signing on May 27, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Guest Column: Please, No More State Board of Embarrassment
The SBOE needs to think realistically and strategically about whom we serve and how we serve them. We need to keep children at the center of every last decision, big and small. And we need to put in place safeguards to keep us off The Daily Show. Full Story
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Guest Column: An SBOE That Resists the Herd Mentality
Following a legislative session that sought more accountability, monitoring and oversight of public education, the capacities of the State Board of Education will be severely tested. The good news is that the board’s 15 members are up to the task. Full Story
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Government Pay Update Completes UT System
We have a special update to the Tribune's government employee salary database, adding recently acquired salary data from the last six agencies missing from the the University of Texas System, Texas Woman's University and the Sabine River Authority. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Lucio Asks Perry to Add Checkpoints to Agenda
A border lawmaker has written Gov. Rick Perry in the hopes of adding another item to the agenda for the current special session. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety patch worn on a uniform during an April 7, 2011 graduation ceremony in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
"Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education" Formed
A powerful group of individuals — including former regents, former university system chancellors and former university presidents — from around Texas have joined together to address the state's ongoing higher education controversy. Full Story
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Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
Audio: Perry's Speech at the Manhattan GOP Event
In a trip to New York City on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry replaced Donald Trump to speak at the Manhattan GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Here's the full audio of his speech before prominent Republican New Yorkers at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Full Story
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Tomas Lara / Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Cornyn Demands Medicare Plan From Obama
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn demanded today that President Barack Obama take "concrete steps" to address Medicare's funding crisis. By not doing so, Cornyn said, Obama is "violating federal law." Full Story
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The Weekly TribCast: Episode 84
On this week's episode, Reeve, Julian, Morgan and Jim discuss Texas Monthly's list of the best and worst legislators, education and immigration in the special session, and Gov. Rick Perry's still-hypothetical presidential bid. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Democrats Question Perry's Whereabouts
House Democrats — stirred up in a day of partisan battles over windstorm insurance and a health care compact — took the opportunity to question the whereabouts of the man who called them back for a special session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Midday Brief: June 15, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Texas Monthly reveals its best and worst list; House gives early OK to windstorm bill; the national press and Perry Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House Gives Early Nod to Health Care Compact
House lawmakers gave early approval to a bill designed to let Texas take control of Medicaid and Medicare from the federal government after a high-decibel argument between the measure’s Republican author and Democratic lawmakers. Full Story
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![Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham, speaks during HB5 debate on June 15th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House Tentatively Passes Windstorm Insurance Bill
The bill has pitted Republican Gov. Rick Perry and trial lawyer Steve Mostyn, the largest Democratic donor in Texas, against one another, and it is a key reason that lawmakers are in a special legislative session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Monthly Reveals Best and Worst List
Texas Monthly's list of the Ten Best and Ten Worst Legislators in the 82nd session has finally been released. Who made the cut — and how did our Texas Tribune insiders do with their predictions? Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Quiz: Who Said What About Higher Ed?
The current controversy dominating the higher education headlines in Texas is nothing if not nuanced. See if you can read between the lines and figure out who made what comment in our latest quiz. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Illegal Re-entry Cases Surge Under Obama
Texans are hammering away at Barack Obama for failing to secure our borders and for refusing to put forward a comprehensive immigration-reform plan, but the number of federal prosecutions for "illegal re-entry" has quietly skyrocketed under his administration. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: June 15, 2011
A buoyant Rick Perry bounded through the Big Apple on Tuesday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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