The Brief: May 12, 2014
The Tribune's Aman Batheja has taken an in-depth look at Midland oilman Tim Dunn, who is best known in the Capitol for his funding of the conservative activist group Empower Texans. Full Story
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![Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and Empower Texans president Michael Quinn Sullivan.]()
Credit: Graphic by Caleb Bryant Miller and John Jordan -
For Texas Democrats, a Down-Ballot Predicament
Kinky Friedman has injected some star power into the race for agriculture commissioner, but he and his Democratic primary opponent, Jim Hogan, have been largely rejected by state party leaders. Full Story
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![Jim Hogan, left, and Kinky Friedman are running in the Democratic primary for agriculture commissioner.]()
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In Dunn, Far Right Has Spender Who Gets Results
A Midland oilman has spent millions over the last decade financing groups focused on moving the Texas Legislature in a more conservative direction. While critics have decried his hardball tactics, Tim Dunn isn't backing down. Full Story
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![Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating, LLC, speaks at the 2011 Executive Oil Conference.]()
Credit: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram -
Creighton, Toth Bound for Senate Runoff
UPDATED: With all of the precincts counted, Brandon Creighton and Steve Toth finished first and second and appear headed for a runoff in the contest to succeed Tommy Williams in the Texas Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, insurance company president Gordy Bunch, former state Sen. Michael Galloway and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, were the four initial candidates in a May 10 special election for Senate District 4. Creighton and Toth are heading to a runoff Tuesday.]()
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Border Rail Proposal Getting Mixed Reviews
As Mexican officials contemplate relocating a major railway that connects the state of Chihuahua to Texas, trade experts in El Paso have mixed views on whether the investment is needed immediately. Full Story
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![Men work on the railroad tracks at the Union Pacific railyard in El Paso on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre -
The Brief: May 9, 2014
Ahead of a possible vote on impeachment on Monday, members of the House select committee investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall appear split on how to proceed. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond -
Abbott Calls for Increased Funding for Online Learning
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott announced the third plank of his education policy plan on Thursday, calling for millions in increased funding for online learning initiatives. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott promoting his pre-kindergarten education proposal on April 2, 2014, at the IDEA Carver Academy in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Alameel and Rogers, a Study in Contrasts, Make Their Case
David Alameel and Kesha Rogers, the two Democrats facing off in a May 27 primary runoff for U.S. Senate, spoke with KUT News about why they're running for office. Full Story
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![David Alameel (left) and Kesha Rogers]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre / Charlie Pearce -
Claims of Draft-Dodging Enter GOP Lt. Gov. Runoff
Amid a heated Republican runoff for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Dan Patrick is denying a new accusation from a former opponent that he avoided the draft for the Vietnam War. Full Story
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![Sen. Dan Patrick R-Houston during am education committee hearing on April 14th, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
TribLive: Branch on Straus
At our May 8 TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014, praised the work of the Texas House under Speaker Joe Straus but stopped short of saying he'd back him in another leadership race. Full Story
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TribLive: Branch on Transparency
At our May 8 TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014, responded to questions about his commitment to transparency and explained where he stands on "dark money." Full Story
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TribLive: Branch on Paxton
At our May 8 TribLive conversation, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014, laid out the case against his rival in the May 27 runoff, state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney. Full Story
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The Polling Center: Is Easy Resolution on In-State Tuition a GOP Dream?
As Rick Perry hedges that he could yet again seek a presidential nomination, and the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants continues to arise in GOP primary races, polling results help illustrate the challenges the issue poses for candidates. Full Story
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![Dream Act supporters outside of the W hotel at President Obama's fundraiser on May 10, 2011.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
TribLive: A Conversation With Dan Branch
Full video of my May 8 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, a Republican candidate for Texas attorney general in 2014. Full Story
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Livestream: Dan Branch at TribLive
Watch live as Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith interviews state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who is in a primary runoff for attorney general. Full Story
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Charity Group Backs Company in Immigrant Smuggling Case
A Catholic philanthropic organization has thrown its support behind a mining company and one of its employees who are being sued after three undocumented immigrants were killed during an incursion onto private property in Brooks County. Full Story
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![Demonstrators march through the streets of downtown Dallas in 2010 to protest the passage of Arizona's controversial new immigration law.]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
The Brief: May 8, 2014
Not even Disney movies are safe when it comes to the scorched-earth tactics in the race for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor. Full Story
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Video: Dewhurst, Patrick Engage in Fiery Debate
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick lodged their most personal attacks yet in a political roundtable on WFAA-TV in Dallas. Patrick is trying to unseat Dewhurst in the May 27 Republican runoff. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and State Sen. Dan Patrick squared off in a debate for the upcoming runoff election for Lieutenant Governor.]()
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Dewhurst, Patrick Engage in Nasty Lt. Gov. Debate
In the most contentious matchup yet in what has become an increasingly vicious Republican runoff for lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick and incumbent David Dewhurst hurled personal attacks at each other in Dallas on Wednesday. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are in a runoff in the GOP lieutenant governor's race.]()
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Analysis: Minor Parties Matter, Even if They Lose
If a Libertarian or a Green Party candidate won a race for the Texas Legislature or statewide office, it would be a first. But those candidates can determine who does get into office. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman