The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
State Rep. Stuart Spitzer is afraid the federal government can use medical records to identify gun owners. Over the objections of the medical community, he has filed a bill that would prohibit doctors from asking patients whether they own a firearm. Full Story
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Plenty of lawmakers are siding with the oil industry in response to Denton's vote to ban fracking inside city limits. What's surprising this session is how few are weighing in for local control. Full Story
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Texas A&M University is finalizing its application to host a 2016 presidential or vice presidential debate. Full Story
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Both Rick Perry and Ted Cruz are showing New Hampshire voters that they are willing to brave icy weather to travel across the state and get their messages to voters. But the two likely Republican presidential candidates are taking different paths. Full Story
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A bill lifting some of the state's restrictions on handguns passed easily on a 20-11 vote after repeated Democratic efforts to amend it were defeated. Full Story
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After taking a backseat in 2013, legislation to cut off funding to so-called sanctuary cities that don't use local police to enforce federal immigration laws is under debate before a Senate subcommittee. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Monday opened the Austin outpost of his likely 2016 presidential campaign. Full Story
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He is not officially a candidate for president, but U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz edged a little closer to becoming one as he went looking for conservative voters in New Hampshire Sunday. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, came to Austin this weekend eager to show he's not your average Republican. Full Story
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Full video of my 3/15 conversation with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the show is given over to setting the stage for the remainder of the session as the state Legislature moves into a higher gear. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Sunday morning to discuss trade and economic relations. It was Abbott's first meeting with a foreign prime minister since becoming governor. Full Story
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Skirting tax laws and knowingly hiring unauthorized workers are common practices in Texas, especially in the state's construction industry. Lawmakers and workers' rights groups are trying again to target companies that misclassify workers. Full Story
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On the road in New Hampshire, Rick Perry is going back to his political roots, visiting small and rural venues while other candidates focus on bigger cities and media markets. Full Story
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As he feels out a possible presidential bid, Ted Cruz has made border security and immigration his calling cards. But Texas' first Hispanic U.S. senator has only made three trips to border since taking office. Full Story
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Attorneys with the U.S. Department of Justice filed an emergency motion asking an appeals court to lift a temporary halt to a federal immigration program that was issued by a Brownsville-based federal judge in February. Full Story
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Lawmakers have filed two competing bills about who should have the authority to decide whether to terminate a brain-dead pregnant woman's life — a preview of what promises to be a fiery legislative battle over end-of-life medical care in Texas. Full Story
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At our 3/12 conversation, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings addressed the prevailing conflict in the 84th session: liberty vs. local control. Full Story
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Kicking off a two-day blitz in New Hampshire, former Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday morning offered a key caveat to his increasing outspokenness on foreign policy, cautioning that the United States' first response to global conflict should not be war. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Ross, Neena and Patrick about Rep. Jonathan Stickland's "Former Fetus" sign, Gov. Rick Perry's presidential ambitions and the Trib's Undrinkable water quality project. Full Story
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