Committee Votes That Grounds for Impeachment Exist for UT Regent
UPDATED: The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations voted Monday that there are grounds to impeach University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall. Full Story
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![House Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations chairs Carol Alvarado, D-Houston and Dan Flynn, R-Canton, explain the 7-1 vote to recommend drawing up articles of impeachment against UT Regent Wallace Hall, Jr. on May 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Creighton, Toth Bound for Senate Runoff
UPDATED: With all of the precincts counted, Brandon Creighton and Steve Toth finished first and second and appear headed for a runoff in the contest to succeed Tommy Williams in the Texas Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.]()
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Texas Strip Clubs Lose Appeal on Pole Tax
A $5-per-patron fee is not an unconstitutional occupation tax and must be paid by Texas strip clubs that serve alcohol, an appeals court ruled Friday. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Thomas Hawk -
TribLive: Branch on Straus
At our May 8 TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014, praised the work of the Texas House under Speaker Joe Straus but stopped short of saying he'd back him in another leadership race. Full Story
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TribLive: Branch on Transparency
At our May 8 TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014, responded to questions about his commitment to transparency and explained where he stands on "dark money." Full Story
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Video: Dewhurst, Patrick Engage in Fiery Debate
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick lodged their most personal attacks yet in a political roundtable on WFAA-TV in Dallas. Patrick is trying to unseat Dewhurst in the May 27 Republican runoff. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and State Sen. Dan Patrick squared off in a debate for the upcoming runoff election for Lieutenant Governor.]()
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DPS Introduces New Mounted Patrol Unit for Capitol
The Texas Department of Public Safety is not horsing around with its new mounted patrol unit for the state Capitol complex. Formally introduced Tuesday morning, it includes three donated horses and four trained state troopers. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety officer Michael Knight and his horse Ranger stand by as the Texas DPS announces the launch of a new Mounted Horse Patrol Unit, which will be assigned to the Capitol Complex. May 6, 2014.]()
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Comptroller to Strip Clubs: Time to Pay Up
A controversial strip club fee that lawmakers approved in 2007 is still winding its way through the courts, but Comptroller Susan Combs is pressing the clubs to pay six years' worth of “pole taxes.” Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Thomas Hawk -
Branch Led Effort to Defeat Disclosure Rule
During Dan Branch's first year in the House, he was a driving force behind an effort to prevent the disclosure of conflicts of interest that can arise when lawmakers work for firms that lobby the state Legislature. Full Story
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Analysis: In the Lege, Race and Party Line Up
In the Texas Legislature, it is often possible to tell legislators' political affiliations by their race and ethnicity. It's a result of voting patterns, voting rights laws and the way political maps are drawn. Full Story
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Conservatives Make Their Case in Bid for SD-4 Seat
State Rep. Brandon Creighton, businessman Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth are looking to replace state Sen. Tommy Williams in a May 10 special election. Full Story
![State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.]()
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Analysis: Breaking Up is Hard With Appointee
Texas lawmakers are deciding whether to impeach a University of Texas regent — something they've never done before. Are they opening a Pandora's Box? Full Story
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Lawmaker Wants AG Opinion on Governor's Legal Bill
A state lawmaker wants to know if it’s legal to have taxpayers foot the bill for the $450-an-hour attorney hired to defend Gov. Rick Perry in a grand jury investigation. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
After Years of Reform, Lawsuit Rattles an Agency Still Facing Challenges
Like most child welfare agencies nationwide, Texas Child Protective Services has had its share of problems. Officials say reforms have made clear improvements, but the agency still faces problems. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: A History Lesson on Stifling the Senate's Minority Party
Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick has said that if elected lieutenant governor, he might not name any senators from the other party to lead committees. It would be a bold move, but not unprecedented. Full Story
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![Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock and Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Sex Offender Agency's Presiding Board Member Quits
Amid heated controversy over the placement of dangerous sex offenders, the presiding member of a board that oversees an agency that manages civilly committed violent sex offenders resigned on Tuesday. Full Story
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Lawmakers to Examine Rehab of Mentally Ill, Addicted Inmates
Lawmakers on Tuesday will examine ways to reduce recidivism among prisoners with mental illness and substance addiction. Full Story
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Analysis: For Budget Writers, Tax Cuts Are Spending Decisions
Lawmakers have a hard job when money is tight and they're writing state budgets. It's even harder when they have all the money they need. Full Story
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A Year After West Explosion, Lawmakers Vetting Reforms
A year after the disastrous fertilizer explosion in West, some state leaders are beginning to consider reforms — measures in regulation-averse Texas that they hope lawmakers will find "passable." Full Story
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Ahead of November, Both Parties Hone Women's Health Messages
With last session's divisive abortion debate as a backdrop, Democrats are getting help from the newly created Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. Republicans, meanwhile, have their own group to tackle women's issues. Full Story
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