The Brief: May 1, 2014
As the horrifying details of a botched execution in Oklahoma dominated the headlines on Wednesday, the focus in Texas quickly turned to whether a review of procedures could be in the offing here. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/103109-terrhaute-gurney-.jpg)
The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
As the horrifying details of a botched execution in Oklahoma dominated the headlines on Wednesday, the focus in Texas quickly turned to whether a review of procedures could be in the offing here. Full Story
In her latest education proposal, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis is calling for reduced emphasis on standardized testing and more local control of educational accountability measures. Full Story
Political mapmakers have moved most of the real competition for congressional and legislative races in Texas to the March primaries. The November general elections will feature only a dozen or so real contests on the ballot. Full Story
The race to replace U.S Rep. Steve Stockman in CD-36 is a battle of geographical allegiance between supporters of the two Republican candidates headed to the May 27 runoff. Full Story
Could Sriracha be coming to the Alamo City? Full Story
In another sign of troubled times among the leadership at the University of Texas System, word emerged Monday night that a regent clandestinely recorded a discussion with Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa during an executive session in August. Full Story
As he ponders whether to run for president again, Gov. Rick Perry has renewed his faith by getting baptized in the spring waters once used to wash the sins off Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas. Full Story
As state officials prepare to meet with the man who has become the face of the increasingly politicized spat between Texas and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Tribune's Jim Malewitz has an exhaustive background story on the seeds of the conflict. Full Story
César Blanco, an El Paso native and former congressional staffer, came close to beating his Democratic primary opponents outright. The newcomer faces feisty veteran Norma Chávez in the runoff. Full Story
Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, has amended nine of his personal financial statements to correct omissions in his disclosures, all of them related to his service on nonprofit boards, newly obtained filings show. Full Story
David Dewhurst’s predicament — abandoned first by most Republican primary voters and then by one of the bellwethers of the Texas big business establishment — reveals how the Texas GOP has changed since he first became lieutenant governor in 2003. Full Story
The House select committee charged with investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall could vote as early as May 12 on whether to recommend articles of impeachment to the full chamber. Full Story
U.S. Border Patrol agents say the illegal traffic on public and private land in the Rio Grande Valley has triggered the need for additional resources in the region. In response, an influx of agents from California, Arizona and Laredo have arrived in the area. Full Story
The chairman of the state agency in charge of treatment and housing of violent sex offenders who can't be reinserted into society resigned on Tuesday. Full Story
In his latest education policy plan, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott proposes giving school districts and parents more control of students' education by tossing out state mandates and regulations. Full Story
A grand jury is considering whether Gov. Rick Perry broke the law when he threatened to cut state funding for the public integrity unit of the Travis County DA’s office. No matter what happens, its decision will figure into his future as the 2016 presidential race looms. Full Story
Republicans Mike Schofield and Ann Hodge are speeding toward a May 27 runoff for House District 132, the Houston-area seat that state Rep. Bill Callegari is vacating after serving seven terms in the lower chamber. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry continued to work to get Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg to resign even after following through on the threat to veto money for the Public Integrity Unit. Full Story
A member of the House committee considering impeachment proceedings against a UT regent received a campaign contribution from a PAC that got hefty financial support from that same regent. Full Story
Stefani Carter might have had an easy time seeking re-election to the House. But after she reversed a decision to run for railroad commissioner, she re-entered a crowded field. She's in a tight spot heading into a runoff with Linda Koop. Full Story