The Evening Brief: Feb. 6, 2013
Your evening reading: Boy Scouts of America postpones vote on gay ban; school marshal bill filed; Hutchison joins law firm Full Story
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Updated: CPRIT Leaders Testify Before House Panel
Leaders of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas offered candid testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, explaining how the institute has changed its processes to prevent future improprieties. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: Straus on Health Reform
At Wednesday's TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, held open the possibility of a compromise with the federal government on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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TribCast: School Finance, CPRIT and the UT Regents
Ross, Reeve, Ben and Morgan discuss the recent ruling in the school finance lawsuit, ongoing troubles with CPRIT, and the recent emergency meeting of the University of Texas System Board of Regents. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Polling Center: Cruz Beats Drum on Immigration
If Ted Cruz seems to be marching out of step with GOP leaders attempting to lower the volume on the party’s immigration rhetoric, results from the last UT/Texas Tribune poll suggest the drumbeat he's listening to is the one being played by his voters. Full Story
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Watson Has Tough Words for Combs, Tax Subsidy Programs
Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, criticized Republican Comptroller Susan Combs on Wednesday, saying she had a “cavalier” approach to doling out millions of dollars in tax incentives, including the award eventually granted to the promoters of F1 auto racing. Full Story
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TribLive: Straus on the Budget
At Wednesday's TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, talked about the likelihood of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund and whether the state can meet its obligations under the spending cap. Full Story
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Nueces County Jail Facing Lawsuit Over 2011 Death
The family of Gregory Cheek has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Nueces County Jail, saying Cheek should have been transferred from the jail to a mental health facility. Full Story
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TribLive: Straus on School Finance
At Wednesday's TribLive conversation, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, reacted to this week's ruling on the school finance lawsuit and talked about what happens now. Full Story
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Perry Calls for More Funds for I-69 Project
A planned interstate highway stretching from South Texas to Michigan remains decades away, but Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday that lawmakers should find more money for the project and ones like it. Full Story
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Bill Would Strengthen Nurses' Prescriptive Power
A long-awaited agreement between physicians, nurses and state legislators to increase the prescriptive power of advanced practice nurses could improve Texans’ access to care, health care leaders said Wednesday. Full Story
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Aycock Proposes New Testing, Graduation Requirements
Newly appointed House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock filed legislation Wednesday that would restructure the state's high school graduation and student testing requirements. Full Story
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Villalba Files School Marshal Bill
State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has filed a bill that would allow Texas schools to appoint "school marshals" — employees who could carry guns in an effort to protect students from violence. Full Story
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Updated: Anderson Inquiry Continues With Former Asst District Attorney
Judge Doug Arnold, a former Williamson County assistant district attorney who worked for Ken Anderson and for former district attorney John Bradley, testifies Wednesday about the Michael Morton case as the court of inquiry resumes. Full Story
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UT Launches Financial Aid Programs to Boost Grad Rates
The University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday announced $5 million worth of new financial aid programs specifically designed to help boost the institution's four-year graduation rates. Full Story
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Groups Bank on United Front in Gambling Push
Despite strong resistance inside and outside the Legislature, groups representing gambling interests hope that a collaborative approach can help them make a breakthrough this legislative session. Full Story
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For Lobbyists, They're Gifts That Keep On Giving
The culture of gift-giving is alive and well in the Texas Capitol, and lobbyists are the chief benefactors. Full Story
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Texplainer: Has State Spending on Schools Increased?
Hey, Texplainer: I keep hearing that the money the state spends on public education has increased over the past decade. But the ruling in the school finance trial said Texas schools are underfunded. Who is right? Full Story
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Video: A Look at Texas Ethics, Then and Now
The last substantial Texas ethics reforms passed during the 72nd legislative session. It wasn't easy then — and won't be easy now. But members pushing for new rules say they're optimistic that their colleagues will support making the state's business more transparent. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 6, 2013
As the Boy Scouts of America prepared to reconsider its ban on gay membership, a slew of Texas officeholders jumped into the debate on Tuesday. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman
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