The Brief: March 8, 2013
Is the tide turning on Medicaid expansion in Texas? Full Story
The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Is the tide turning on Medicaid expansion in Texas? Full Story
Your evening reading: former Perry aide received six-figure bonus; protesters rally to allow Planned Parenthood back in Women's Health Program; Cruz wants law banning domestic drone attacks Full Story
Whether it’s lobbyists’ spending on legislators or lawmakers who don't disclose their spouses' interests on personal financial statements, Texas ethics laws are full of holes. Full Story
Texas' two U.S. senators on Wednesday helped stage one of the longest old-fashioned filibusters in years. Full Story
Your evening reading: GOP state senator proposes temporary sales tax hike for transportation; Cornyn and Cruz join filibuster of CIA nominee; House group wants to repeal waiting period for abortions Full Story
Ross, Julián, Aman and Reeve review some results of the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, discuss soon-to-be Sen. Sylvia Garcia's victory in Senate District 6 and talk about security changes at the Governor's Mansion. Full Story
Texas voters remain concerned about the economy and immigration, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. And three out of five Texas voters said the U.S. is on the wrong track. Full Story
Texans haven't changed their overall views on the availability of abortions. But a majority favors a "fetal pain" proposal that would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
Hundreds of protesters on Tuesday attempted to ramp up the pressure on Gov. Rick Perry to expand Medicaid in Texas. Full Story
Your evening reading: Senate passes Medicaid IOU bill after school finance debate; protesters rally for Medicaid expansion; House Republicans file "fetal pain" bill Full Story
The latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll has a bigger sample size than its predecessors — the better to see what various subgroups of Texans are thinking about politics and policy in the state. Full Story
Charity fundraisers give lobbyists and political donors a way to show their support to officeholders during legislative sessions — when the law prohibits direct contributions. Full Story
The latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll contains some good news for both Rick Perry and Greg Abbott. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry would beat Attorney General Greg Abbott in a Republican race for governor held today, but a win in that race — if it actually comes to pass — isn't clearly in the hands of either candidate. Full Story
In the two months since Joaquin Castro was sworn into Congress, he has been getting even more attention than his identical twin, Julián Castro, the San Antonio mayor who gave the keynote at the Democratic National Convention. Full Story
In this week's Newsreel: The Supreme Court heard arguments in a voting rights case that could have a big impact on Texas, Republican legislators side with Gov. Rick Perry on Medicaid expansion, and voters will decide on Saturday who will represent Senate District 6. Full Story
Ross, Emily, Jim and Reeve discuss the attention Joaquin Castro and Ted Cruz are getting in Washington, D.C., the prospects for Battleground Texas' efforts to turn the state blue, and the battle over Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Full Story
Attorney General Greg Abbott's office has argued that Texans of all races strongly support voter ID. While this was true as recently as early 2011, the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll shows that there has been a sea change. Full Story
The 485-mile Oklahoma-to-Texas leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline is about half done and should be operational by late this year or early 2014, according to officials from TransCanada, the company building it. Full Story
Ted Cruz has only been Texas’ junior U.S. senator for two months, but he has wasted no time propelling himself into national headlines. On Tuesday, the Tribune sat down with Cruz in Washington to talk about the early days of his new gig. Full Story