The Brief: Feb. 16, 2015
Bipartisan appears to be a dirty word in a couple of the special election contests set to be finally decided on Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Reps. José Menéndez (left) and Trey Martinez Fischer, both Democrats from San Antonio, are seeking the Texas Senate seat vacated by Leticia Van de Putte, who is running for mayor of San Antonio.]()
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In New Web Ad, Perry Touts New Hampshire
After taking his Lone Star swagger 2,000 miles east to New Hampshire last week, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry released a new web ad on Sunday celebrating the Granite State's independence. Full Story
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Inside Texas Politics: The Big Three
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the Big Three: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Feb. 15, 2015.]()
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Inauguration Donors Include Democrats and Gamblers
The committee that organized the January inauguration for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a list of contributors Friday that includes Democratic politicians, NFL stars and former Gov. Rick Perry’s lawyer. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivers his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
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Sources: Scott Walker Hires Texas-Based Fundraiser
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has hired Austin-based fundraiser Susan Lilly for his likely presidential campaign, according to two Republican sources. Full Story
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![Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit at the Hoyt Sherman Place theater in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.]()
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Farenthold Denies Ex-Aide's Sexual Harassment Claims
U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, has formally denied claims that he sexually harassed and discriminated against one of his former employees. Full Story
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Ethics Commission Approves Pay Increase for Lawmakers
The Texas Ethics Commission gave approval on Friday to a $40 increase in what lawmakers are given to cover daily expenses while in Austin, which amounts to a $5,600 increase in their pay over the course of the 140-day regular session. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Feb. 13, 2015
The Kroll report, which looked into the admissions process at UT-Austin and whether some well-connected people had too much influence on that process, surfaced on Thursday. Full Story
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![Regent Wallace L. Hall, Jr. of the University of Texas System at the regular meeting of the Board on May 15, 2014]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Alabama Ruling May Clear Way for Gay Marriage in Texas
Citing recent court decisions legalizing gay marriage in Alabama, plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage are asking a federal appeals court to clear the way for marriages in the state. Full Story
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Video: Houston & the Lege: Previewing the 84th Session
Full video of our 2/12 lunchtime discussion in Houston on the major policy debates of the 84th Legislature — and what they mean for the state’s largest city and surrounding communities. Full Story
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Democrats Push to Repeal Abortion Waiting Period
They acknowledge they're pushing a boulder up a hill in the conservative Texas Legislature. But three House Democrats remain laser-focused on repealing the 24-hour waiting period for abortion imposed by the state’s 2011 sonogram law. Full Story
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![Abortion rights activists march through downtown Austin on July 1, 2013.]()
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Video: A Conversation With John Otto
Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 12, 2015
The debate over the expansion of rights to carry guns onto university campuses and openly with a permit moves from rallies outside the Capitol to legislative hearings inside the building today. Full Story
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![Almost forgotten in the midst of Texas Muslim Capitol Day, an open carry advocate displays his gun and the Israeli flag on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
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Gun Control Group Hires Security for Capitol Hearing
Citing concerns over threats of violence, a group that advocates for stricter firearm laws has retained a security guard to protect members planning to testify at the Texas Capitol on Thursday. Full Story
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Health Insurance Fund for Retired Teachers Drying Up
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas – the state's largest public retirement system – expects its health insurance program to become insolvent in the 2016 fiscal year. Lawmakers on the Senate's budget-writing committee promised to keep the fund afloat. Full Story
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Cruz: Senators Have Presidential Edge on Foreign Policy
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is refusing to cede the argument many of his likely Republican presidential rivals are making: that governors are better equipped than legislators to be commander in chief. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during the 2014 RedState Gathering at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth on Aug. 8, 2014.]()
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21 Years After Deal Made, Cross-Border Trucking Program Gets Rolling
The U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking program — a component of the North American Free Trade Agreement — is moving forward. Proponents say it will add to Texas' prosperous trade relationship with Mexico. But union groups have some concerns. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 11, 2015
The Tribune's Terri Langford has uncovered a new problem with the no-bid Medicaid fraud software contract awarded to 21CT by the Health and Human Services Commission. Full Story
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Stick's Investigators Got Badges, and Taxpayers Got the $36,000 Bill
Emblems of Jack Stick’s days as the state health agency's deputy inspector general remain: roughly 300 high-dollar badges he designed and ordered for his investigators at a cost to taxpayers of $36,000. Full Story
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![A photo of one of the $80 badges ordered by Jack Stick (left) when he was HHSC deputy inspector general.]()
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Patrick Wants $12 Million to Keep Guard on Border
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Tuesday that drug cartels are ramping up efforts as the Texas National Guard is preparing to leave the Rio Grande Valley next month. He's hoping to extend the Guard's presence in the region. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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