The Brief: Nov. 21, 2014
Texas will feel more of the effects of Obama's action while a proposed overhaul of the Secure Communities programs draws bipartisan criticism. Full Story
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![President Barack Obama chastises Republicans in Congress for stonewalling his agenda in a speech July 10, 2014 at the Paramount Theater in Austin.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Obama's Immigration Plan Could Affect Thousands in Texas
President Obama on Thursday said he will use his executive authority to grant millions of undocumented immigrants a work permit and a reprieve from deportation proceedings. Reactions from Republicans were swift and outraged. Full Story
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![President Barack Obama meets with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Aug. 4, 2014.]()
Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza -
Top Perry Aide, Budget Expert To Join Patrick Staff
Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick adds two Capitol veterans well versed in state finances and legislative procedure to his staff for the upcoming legislative session. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.]()
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The Brief: Nov. 20, 2014
State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte will run for mayor of her hometown of San Antonio, she confirmed Wednesday night. Full Story
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![Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor of Texas, Sen. Leticia VanDePutte D-San Antonio, smiles as she carries one of her grandsons during a campaign swing in Austin, Texas June 4th, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Van de Putte Resigning From Senate to Run for San Antonio Mayor
Two weeks after losing her bid for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte announced that she was running for mayor of San Antonio and would not finish her term at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte waves to the delegates at the 2014 Texas Democratic Convention held at the Dallas Convention Center on June 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Alyssa Banata -
The Brief: Nov. 19, 2014
Despite his challenger's vow to take a speaker vote to the floor on the first day of session, backers of House Speaker Joe Straus spent Tuesday trying to demonstrate the race is already a foregone conclusion. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Border Surge Could Continue Through August
The surge of state law enforcement on Texas’ southern border will continue through August if an $86 million request made by the state’s top leaders is approved next month by budget writers. Full Story
Credit: Julián Aguilar -
AG-Elect Paxton Names Roy as First Assistant
Chip Roy, a longtime GOP adviser who most recently worked for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, will serve as first assistant to Attorney General-elect Ken Paxton, his campaign announced Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Ken Paxton celebrated with supporters after winning the Republican primary runoff for Texas attorney general on May 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman -
With New Pledges, Straus Likely to Remain Speaker
Twelve more Republican House members publicly pledged their support for House Speaker Joe Straus on Tuesday, making the path to victory for challenger Scott Turner exceedingly difficult. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus (l) faces a challenge from Frisco state Rep. Scott Turner]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Laura Buckman -
Consultants Get a Cut of State Incentive Deals
California has stopped letting companies pay consultants a commission based on the size of tax cut and incentive packages they help land. Texas has no such restriction. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Justin Brockie / Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Nov. 18, 2014
A new controversy could crop up this week as the State Board of Education is expected to adopt new social studies textbooks. Full Story
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![State Board of Education Vice Chair Thomas Ratliff leafs through binders at the meeting listing proposed changes to Texas textbooks in a SBOE meeting in Austin on Monday, October 20, 2014 .Textbook publishers were invited to meeting where public concerns regarding their textbooks were discussed.]()
Credit: Martin do Nascimento -
Sen. Perry Files Sanctuary Cities Legislation
Legislation reviving the fight over "sanctuary cities" was filed Monday by Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Nov. 17, 2014
As authorities arrive in LaPorte to find what caused the methyl mercaptan gas leak that killed four DuPont plant workers on Saturday, information is emerging about the safety record of the plant. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato -
Hegar Resigns Senate Seat; Dec. 6 Special Election Set
State Sen. Glenn Hegar sent a letter to Gov. Rick Perry Friday resigning his Senate seat as of Dec. 5. The Katy Republican will be sworn in as comptroller in January. A Dec. 6 special election for his seat was announced later Friday. Full Story
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![Glenn Hegar, who was elected state comptroller in November 2014, is shown at the State Republican Convention on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Political Roundup: Bill Filings, Perry Indictment and VDP
This week in the Texas Political Roundup: Could state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte be eyeing a run for San Antonio mayor? Gov. Gov. Rick Perry's attorneys ask a judge to dismiss his charges. And state lawmakers have begun filing bills ahead of the coming legislative session. Full Story
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The Brief: Nov. 14, 2014
Seeking to quell a revolt before it has time to develop, allies of House Speaker Joe Straus late on Thursday night claimed to have the backing of an overwhelming majority of House GOP members. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Straus Backers Claim Support of Most of GOP Caucus
Seven Republican members of the Texas House issued a joint statement late Thursday claiming Speaker Joe Straus has the support of nearly the entire Republican caucus for the next legislative session. Full Story
![House Speaker Joe Straus (l) faces a challenge from Frisco state Rep. Scott Turner]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Laura Buckman -
Feds Seek Fewer Holds on Undocumented Immigrants
Federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants in Texas jails longer so they can possibly be deported have dropped by the thousands, according to report released Wednesday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Two San Antonio Democrats Eyeing Villarreal's House Seat
A special election has yet to be called for the vacant House District 123 seat, but two San Antonio Democrats are already lining up to replace state Rep. Mike Villarreal, who stepped down to run for mayor of the city. Full Story
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![State Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio signing letter resigning from state House to run for mayor of San Antonio.]()
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Abbott Appointee Endorsed Medicaid Expansion
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott’s pick for Texas secretary of state voted for a local resolution last year endorsing the expansion of Medicaid — a central tenet of the federal Affordable Care Act that Abbott fiercely campaigned against. Full Story
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