The Brief: Jan. 22, 2015
From state agencies paying employees' tuition to House budget writers sending a shot across the UT System's bow, here are two good reads to start your day. Full Story
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Abbott Names New HHSC Watchdog
In one of his first moves as governor, Greg Abbott has tapped Stuart Bowen Jr., the special inspector general who oversaw the reconstruction of Iraq, to be the chief watchdog at the state's embattled health agency. Full Story
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![Gov.-elect Greg Abbott gives a speech at a Texas Public Policy Foundation conference on Jan. 8, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
First Texas Execution of 2015 Carried Out
A New Mexico man convicted for a drug-fueled triple murder in San Antonio in 1993 was executed on Wednesday, the first Texas inmate to be put to death under Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 21, 2015
A day of festivities surrounding the inauguration of Texas' newest governor, Greg Abbott, and lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, ended with the traditional black tie gala. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott enjoys the moment with his mother and father in law at the 2015 Texas Inaugural on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Black Tie Gala Closes Out Texas Inaugural Festivities
Three different musical acts — along with six cash bars — entertained an estimated 10,000 guests including lawmakers from both parties, legislative staff, Capitol lobbyists and some of the state’s top political donors. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and his family greet the crowd at the 2015 Texas Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Inauguration Celebration a Daylong Party
Texans celebrated the inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick with plenty of fanfare Tuesday in Austin. Here's a look at some of the festivities and what the new officials said about how they’ll lead. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Slideshow: Inauguration Day
This slideshow features the work of our photographers, who covered Tuesday's parade, speeches and inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, along with the inaugural ball at the Austin Convention Center. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pose for a selfie onstage at the 2015 Texas Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick Take Oath of Office
In a moment he called "highly improbable," Greg Abbott officially became the 48th governor of Texas in a ceremony on the south steps of the Texas Capitol on Tuesday. His wife, Cecilia Abbott, became the first Latina first lady of Texas. Full Story
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![Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht swears in Greg Abbott as the 48th governor of Texas.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Storify: Inauguration Day for Abbott, Patrick
There was music, dancing and (literally) tons of barbecue at Tuesday's inauguration celebration. Use this Storify page to see what folks shared on social media and follow the Tribune's on-the-ground reporting. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivers his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
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Proponents Renew Their Bid to Put Brakes on Texting While Driving
For the fifth straight legislative session, Texas lawmakers will consider bills proposing a statewide ban on texting while driving. There’s more momentum to get it passed, but a difference of opinions among the state’s new leadership could stand in its way. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 20, 2015
Festivities are the order of the day as the state's newest governor and lieutenant governor are sworn in. Full Story
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![Shown the day before Abbott and Patrick were inaugurated, an ocean of seats surrounded the podium.]()
Credit: John Jordan -
Pomp and Circumstance to Usher in New Era
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick will officially drop the "elect" from their titles on Tuesday during an elaborate daylong inauguration celebration that has been months in the making. Full Story
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![Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick will be inaugurated into office on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
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Video: Abbott, Patrick Speak at Inauguration
Here's video of the inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who took their oaths Tuesday at the Texas Capitol. In their following speeches, Abbott and Patrick talked about how they hoped to help Texas continue moving forward. Full Story
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Mexican Governors Won't Be at Abbott Inaugural
Mexican governors attended the gubernatorial inaugurations of Ann Richards, George W. Bush and Rick Perry. But in a break with tradition, they won't be in Austin when Gov.-elect Greg Abbott takes his oath of office. Full Story
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![Gov-elect Greg Abbott at an executive aviation terminal on election eve.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: The New Guys and an Election That's Four Years Away
Sure, it's early to talk about the 2018 governor's race. But think about this legislative session and the new faces in state offices and the issues that are developing: This is what you'll be looking back on when that 2018 race starts to form. Full Story
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![Gov.-elect Greg Abbott (left), Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht are shown in the House chamber on Jan. 13, 2015, the first day of the 84th Legislative Session.]()
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The Brief: Jan. 19, 2015
With Rick Perry and David Dewhurst leaving town, the spotlight shines fully this week on incoming Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
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Inside Texas Politics: A New Lieutenant Governor
This week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey leads off with an interview with Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Jan. 18, 2015.]()
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Arkansas Medicaid Plan Offers Mixed Lessons
Early on, supporters of Medicaid expansion pointed to Arkansas as an example of how Texas might go about helping insure its poor. But lately, the neighbor's grass doesn't look quite as green. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 16, 2015
Gov. Rick Perry's formal farewell Thursday afternoon to the state Legislature dominated headlines with writers trying to discern from his speech what the future holds for him. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry delivers a farewell speech to a joint session of the Texas House and Senate on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
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Judge Hears Arguments in Immigration Policy Case
UPDATED: A judge heard arguments Thursday on a request to halt a White House immigration policy that could affect hundreds of thousands of Texans living in the country illegally. The judge did not indicate when he would make a ruling. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott speaking on Dec. 3, 2014, about the lawsuit filed by Texas and other states against the Obama administration over immigration policy.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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