The Brief: June 5, 2014
The unveiling of revised Republican Party platform language on immigration and homosexuality highlighted coverage of the state convention in Fort Worth on Wednesday. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Dawn Paley / Caleb Bryant Miller -
O'Rourke: El Paso VA Wrong About Wait Times
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke said Wednesday that according to a study commissioned by his office, it takes El Paso veterans seeking mental health care more than two months to see a provider, and as many as a third go without treatment. Full Story
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![Bonnie D'Amico holds a photograph of her son Nicholas D'Amico, who committed suicide after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.]()
Credit: Julián Aguilar -
Draft of State GOP Platform Cuts Guest-Worker Language
An early draft of the Republican Party of Texas' platform shows that language approved two years ago supporting a guest-worker program could be removed. Full Story
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![Participants in a rally for immigration reform marched toward the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: Dems Found Candidates, if Not Voters
A year ago, Texas Democrats were still looking for candidates. Now the candidates are looking for Democrats. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, Sen. Wendy Davis, and Sen. Royce West took part in the Stand with Texas Women Rally at the Capitol on July 1, 2013.]()
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The Brief: June 4, 2014
Immigration threatens to once again be a contentious issue among Republicans gathering for their state convention with several grassroots activists wanting the party to take a mulligan on including a guest worker plank in the platform two years ago. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Vonderau -
Annie's List Executive Director Killed in Car Crash
Grace Garcia, the executive director of the Democratic women-in-politics group Annie's List, was killed in a car accident in Waxahachie on Monday, the organization said early Tuesday morning. Full Story
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![Grace Garcia, executive director of Annie's List, was killed in a fatal car accident on June 2, 2014.]()
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The Brief: June 3, 2014
As some open-carry activists look to take their long-gun-brandishing demonstrations outside the state GOP convention in Fort Worth, the movement's efforts are catching criticism from a pair of unlikely sources — the nation's largest gun-rights group and a state legislator who has pushed open-carry legislation. Full Story
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![Chris Way and his son Ryan, 2, participate in a march during South by Southwest in March 2014, an event led by the Austin chapter of the gun rights group Come and Take It.]()
Credit: Erika Rich -
Alcohol Rules Bar Open Carry at State GOP Convention
Groups pushing to expand the ability to carry firearms openly in Texas will be welcomed at this week's state Republican convention, but the GOP says the guns themselves will have to stay out. Full Story
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![More than a thousand turned out at the Alamo on Saturday, Oct.19 for a protest over local, state and federal gun restrictions.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney -
Federal Task Force to Address Surge in Child Migrants Crossing Border
The increase of unaccompanied children caught crossing the Mexican border into the U.S. has prompted the Obama administration to create a multiagency task force to address the issue. Full Story
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The Brief: June 2, 2014
The GOP state convention kicks off this week in Fort Worth with some folks urging attendees to take their guns to town. Full Story
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![Gun rights supporters participate in an open carry march through South by Southwest led by the Austin chapter of Come and Take It on Wednesday, March 12.]()
Credit: Erika Rich -
Cornyn Tours Ciudad Juárez in Low-Key Trip to Mexico
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made his first-ever trip to Ciudad Juárez on Friday and said he felt safe in the border city. He said that was partially due to U.S. help in Mexico, and also said the U.S. bears some responsibility for the violence. Full Story
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![BorderPlex CEO Rolando Pablos,U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser.]()
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The Brief: May 30, 2014
Attorney General Greg Abbott reversed himself Thursday on whether the Texas prison system can withhold information about companies that make drugs used by the state in executions. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott declares victory in the Republican primary on March 4, 2014 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Changes to Treaty Investor Visas Could Have Impact on Border Cities
Treaty investor visas allow foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. if they make substantial investments here. Some visa holders are crying foul over new renewal requirements, and some advocates worry the changes could impact some border cities' economies. Full Story
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![A number of Mexican nationals are in the United States on treaty investor visas, which allow them to operate businesses here. Some are taking issue with recent changes to the requirements on renewing those visas.]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Eyeing Hispanic Voters, Patrick Shifts His Tone
The conciliatory tone that marked Dan Patrick's victory speech was unlike the fiery immigration rhetoric voters were accustomed to. But it's an approach he will have to take in a general election battle against Leticia Van de Putte. Full Story
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![Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick chats with reporters at a polling station in Cypress, Texas Tuesday, May 27, 2014 to stump for votes in his runoff against against incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Video: Dan Patrick's Victory Speech
State Sen. Dan Patrick celebrated with supporters on Tuesday upon winning the Republican primary runoff for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato -
Video: David Dewhurst Concedes Election
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's full remarks to supporters following his loss to state Sen. Dan Patrick Tuesday. Full Story
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Tea Party Conservatives Win Top GOP Runoffs
After 16 years in statewide office, Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst lost a bitterly fought battle to state Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston. In the GOP attorney general race, state Sen. Ken Paxton prevailed over state Rep. Dan Branch. Full Story
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![State Senator Dan Patrick at runoff election party in Houston, Tuesday May 27, 2014]()
Credit: Micheal Stravato -
Analysis: The Table is Set, and Conservative Groups Must Like What They See
As Republicans and Democrats finalized their ballots Tuesday for November's general election, the GOP loaded many of its top spots with candidates promoted by the state’s Tea Party and social conservative groups. Full Story
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![State Sen. Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for attorney general, celebrated his GOP primary win with supporters on May 27, 2014.]()
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Video: Dan Patrick Shifts Focus to November
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, is turning his sights to the general election for lieutenant governor after easily defeating the incumbent, David Dewhurst, in the Republican primary runoff on Tuesday. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato -
The Brief: May 28, 2014
The Tea Party demonstrated forcefully its predominant position in Texas GOP politics on a runoff election night that also closed the curtain on a couple of long political careers. Full Story
![Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick chats with reporters at a polling station in Cypress, Texas Tuesday, May 27, 2014 to stump for votes in his runoff against against incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato