The Brief: Feb. 3, 2011
Reading this on a device tethered to an electrical outlet? Thank your lucky stars. Also, thank Mexico. Full Story
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E-Verify Battle Could Soon Greet Texas Lawmakers
At least half a dozen bills have been filed in the Texas House mandating the use of the federal electronic employment verification system known as E-Verify. But is the system so fraught with errors that it actually hinders employers who use it to check the eligibility of new hires? Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Texplainer: Where Do I Park at the Capitol?
There are almost 1,600 parking choices when you come to see your lawmakers in action under the pink dome — though a fraction of them get reserved for special interest groups. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune Weekly TribCast: Ep 65
In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss the budget's structural deficit, the effort to repeal health care reform, the back-and-forth over House District 48 and if 2011 will be the year Texas bans smoking. Full Story
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EPA Proposes New Regulations on Rocket Fuel Ingredient
The Environmental Protection Agency is developing new drinking-water regulations for a toxic rocket-fuel ingredient found in 26 states — including Texas. Full Story
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Health Care Advocates Offer Emotional Testimony
From patients and parents to nurses and practitioners, the many faces of Texans affected by health care budget cuts gathered at the Capitol today to give an earful to lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee. Full Story
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Lawmakers Get Strong Message On Health Funds
The Senate Finance Committee heard public testimony today on proposed cuts to health and human services. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: Feb. 2, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry going to CPAC; House committee assignments likely coming next week; Capitol security still making some nervous Full Story
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ERCOT Ends Emergency Blackouts
Power out at your house? You've got good company — 400,000 other Texans, as of noon today. But as of this afternoon, the lights (and heat) should be coming back on. The demand for power exceeded generation capacity around midnight last night, causing more than 50 generators to shut down statewide Full Story
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Texplainer: What is Chubbing?
If there's one thing that politicians are good at, it's talking. And chubbing is a kind of talking that's used to stall legislation in the Texas House. While state representatives do have the power to talk something to death, this session it will be harder to do than in the past. Full Story
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Paige & Spellings: The TT Interview
At a recent forum titled "Improving Productivity in Public Education," former U.S. Secretaries of Education Rod Paige and Margaret Spellings under George W. Bush took time to discuss the state's looming budget cuts, the Bush legacy, the Obama administration and what they believe needs to change in public education. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 2, 2011
In a sign of the tough budgetary times, Texas school districts turned their focus to harsh realities on Tuesday. Full Story
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Are Payment Reform, Texas Budget In Conflict?
Lawmakers are crafting legislation to make health care more affordable and effective by rewarding doctors who get the best medical outcomes. But the cuts they're proposing to meet the state's budget shortfall could hinder some of the same physicians they're relying on to implement payment reform. Full Story
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![Odiel Rodriguez, a physician assistant, checks a patient's file at Ashley Pediatrics Day and Night Clinic in Pharr. Family practitioners fear what budget cuts will mean for the funding that keeps them in business.]()
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David Dewhurst: The TT Interview
The lieutenant governor believes he knows how to save Texas money and improve patient care by overhauling how doctors and hospitals are paid: with carrots, not sticks. In an interview with the Tribune, he talks about what he sees as the root of the health care crisis, and his proposed solutions. Full Story
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Election Contest in HD-48 Begins
A Texas House investigation to determine the winner of the District 48 race between state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Republican challenger Dan Neil has begun. Testimony is expected to last at least a couple of days. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Suehs Warns Lawmakers On Health Cuts
Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs pulled no punches when he warned Senate lawmakers today what proposed budget cuts will mean: either cutting the number of people served, or the money paid to those who care for them. Full Story
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Ed Commissioner: Don't Lose Cool Over Cuts
"Now is not the time to point fingers and scream and yell. Now is the time to solve the problem," Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott told more than 6,000 public school leaders from across the state today. Full Story
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Undocumented Immigrant Population in Texas Increases
The number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. remained relatively unchanged in 2010, with a population of about 11.2 million. That’s about 3.7 percent of the country’s total population. Texas, however, was one of the few states that saw an increase over the last few years, according to a new study released by the Pew Hispanic Center. Full Story
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Joaquin Castro Files Bills on School Counseling
State Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, is looking to shake up the way Texas trains, educates and certifies public school counselors. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: Feb. 1, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Senate hears testimony on foster kids, Howard-Neil fight under way, and Shapiro files school-mandate bill Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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