The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
With last session's divisive abortion debate as a backdrop, Democrats are getting help from the newly created Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. Republicans, meanwhile, have their own group to tackle women's issues. Full Story
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Julián Castro and Dan Patrick square off this evening in a San Antonio television studio in their long-awaited debate over immigration. Here are some things to watch for. Full Story
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At an event in Austin on Monday, Democrat Wendy Davis accused Republican gubernatorial opponent Greg Abbott of proposing increased testing and denying equal access to pre-K education. Full Story
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Allegations of potential criminal wrongdoing in the handling of private student information on the part of University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall have been referred to Travis County prosecutors. Full Story
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Many conservative activists in Texas worry that when it comes to state water policy, Republican leaders have not focused on principles like small government, private property rights and local control. Full Story
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The Austin American-Statesman is reporting that Gov. Rick Perry has hired a defense lawyer to represent him in an ongoing investigation into his veto of funding for the Public Integrity Unit housed in the Travis County DA's office. Full Story
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At the Texas State Teachers Association’s convention in San Marcos on Saturday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis accused her Republican opponent, Greg Abbott, of retreating from his early education policy proposal. Full Story
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Four U.S. presidents visited Austin's LBJ Presidential Library this week for a three-day summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Take a photographic tour of the historic event. Full Story
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Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman lost his bid for attorney general, but he remains an oil and gas regulator and has sought industry help retiring campaign debts and perhaps landing a job. Full Story
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Education policy is usually a winner for Democratic candidates, but in Texas, things are more nuanced, especially when it comes to education spending. This year's race for governor race is a great example. Full Story
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With the three-day Civil Rights Summit wrapping up today, Politico's Todd S. Purdum dives into the paradoxes on display this week in Austin. Full Story
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Watch live as former President Bill Clinton addresses the Civil Rights Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Full Story
Facing an interim charge to review a bill regulating property tax loans in Texas, lawmakers are taking a closer look at the controversial industry. Full Story
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Wendy Davis, the Democratic nominee for governor, is trying to broaden her appeal beyond the filibuster that made her famous. But in her latest fundraising mailer to supporters, that June night is front and center. Full Story
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The Greg Abbott campaign wants to make clear it is not calling for testing of 4-year-olds. Full Story
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After questions were raised about language in a policy proposal that appears to call for the biannual testing of pre-kindergarten students, Greg Abbott’s campaign is clarifying his early education plan, saying he is not calling for such tests. Full Story
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Watch live as LBJ Library director Mark Updegrove interviews former President Jimmy Carter during the first day of the Civil Rights Summit in Austin. Full Story
At the Civil Rights Summit in Austin, Democratic San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a Republican, both expressed optimism that Congress could pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. Full Story
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Here's full video of Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Leticia Van De Putte's rally Monday at the University of Texas at Austin, as she wrapped up a statewide bus tour. Full Story
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A Tribune investigation into contributors to TexasOne, Gov. Rick Perry's chief tool to promote the "Texas Miracle," found that its top contributors have also been beneficiaries of state economic programs and influential appointments. Full Story
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