The Playlist: On the Trail
It’s less than a year until the first presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the 2016 race is already well underway, so we start off this week's playlist off the news with a campaign-themed set. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by John Jordan -
Despite Rocky Start, Agriculture Commissioner Defends His Record
A collection of unflattering headlines has lawmakers and one of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's predecessors questioning whether the world-champion calf roper was ready to steer a billion-dollar agency. But Miller is brushing off the criticism. Full Story
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![Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gives away cupcakes at a press conference on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Driving Home Contrast, Perry Calls 2016 a "Show-Me-Don't-Tell-Me Election"
Former Gov. Rick Perry, drawing a sharp contrast between himself and his less experienced rivals for the White House, said Friday the 2016 presidential race will be a "show-me-don't-tell-me election" in which the candidate with the strongest resume will prevail. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry addresses the National Rifle Association's annual meeting Friday in Nashville. He used the speech to say the 2016 presidential election will not be about "lofty rhetoric."]()
Credit: National Rifle Association screenshot -
Universities Try Again on Construction Funding
In 2013, billions of dollars in bonds to pay for new campus buildings slipped through the grasp of state universities and colleges in the session's closing moments. Another bond package is now moving through the chambers, and university leaders hope not to repeat that fate. Full Story
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![University of Texas at Austin students pass by the Main Building on their way to and from classes.]()
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Military Experts: Warship in Perry Video Was Russian
Rick Perry's political operatives have swapped out two seconds in a video touting the former Texas governor's military history. Experts told the Tribune they believed the warship in the original footage was Russian, not American. Full Story
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![A warship, believed to be Russian, that originally appeared in Rick Perry's video on the U.S. military.]()
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House Passes Bill That Beefs Up Resources for Border Prosecutors
The Texas House on Thursday passed legislation that would codify the current policies and duties of the state’s Border Prosecution Unit. Full Story
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Video: Eltife on Whether He's Running Again
At our 4/9 conversation, state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, the chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, talked about whether he plans to run again in 2016. Full Story
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Sanctuary Cities Bill Heads to Full Senate
Along party lines, a Senate committee Wednesday advanced a controversial "sanctuary cities" bill from Lubbock Sen. Charles Perry that would cut state funds to cities that don't let their peace officers enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Perry during a March 16th, 2015 Senate Subcommittee on border security]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Backs Bill That Would Relocate Public Integrity Unit
The Texas Senate has preliminarily passed a bill that would move the state’s public integrity unit from the Travis County district attorney’s office to the Texas Rangers. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Committees Moving on Bills to Limit Tuition Increases
A Senate committee has approved a bill that would limit tuition increases to the rate of inflation unless universities meet "performance measures." Meanwhile, a House committee is considering a bill to tie tuition increases only to inflation. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
New Super PACs Backing Cruz Expect $31 Million First-Week Haul
A quartet of super PACs is coming to the aid of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as he embarks on his 2016 presidential campaign, and they expect to raise a whopping $31 million during their first week. Full Story
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TedTracker: Follow Cruz on the Campaign Trail
Use the TedTracker to check the public events — past and future — Ted Cruz has announced since making his run for president official. Full Story
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On the Road, Perry Hones Appeal to Religious
Former Gov. Rick Perry, courting faith-based voters in South Carolina, emphasized "second chances" Tuesday as he spoke at a Christian college. Full Story
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Business Group Blasts Religious Freedom Proposals
Two proposed constitutional amendments designed to safeguard religious liberty would "devastate" economic development and set Texas on the ill-fated path Indiana just traveled, a leading business group said Tuesday. Full Story
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![Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business.]()
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House Democrats Push Minimum Wage Hike
A handful of Democrats on Tuesday asked the House Business and Industry Committee to support a package of bills that would increase the minimum wage in Texas. Full Story
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Asked About In-State Tuition Law, Perry Defers to Legislators
Former Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday deferred to state lawmakers on whether they want to repeal Texas' in-state tuition law, a measure he signed into law in 2001 and has defended to varying degrees ever since. Full Story
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![Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a video interview in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 5, 2015.]()
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Bid for Rainy Day Fund Changes Moves Forward
The Texas House on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a constitutional election over whether to send surplus dollars from the Rainy Day Fund into a new account to pay down state debt. Full Story
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![House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.]()
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Rand Paul Announces Presidential Run
Rand Paul, the maverick first-term senator and Texas native who rode a tea party wave from a Kentucky ophthalmology practice to Congress, on Tuesday formally announced a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the opening of his Austin office at downtown startup incubator incubator Capital Factory on March 16, 2015.]()
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Uncertainty Haunts Commissioner Kyle Janek
Two reports have criticized Health Commissioner Kyle Janek’s leadership. Three state lawmakers have called for his resignation. And a contract awarded to a vendor on his watch is under investigation. What's a new governor to do? Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
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GOP Takes First Step to End In-State Tuition for Undocumented
After a marathon hearing that stretched well into Tuesday morning, a Senate subcommittee approved Sen. Donna Campbell's bill to repeal Texas law that allows some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Full Story
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![Dreamer Cristina Lizeth Urdiales was born in Monterrey, Mexico and brought to the US at the age of 5, listens during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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