Some Texas lawmakers and stakeholders are taking issue with aspects of the federal immigration reform bill filed last week, with some questioning why the measure was crafted without mechanisms to avoid a future inflow of illegal migration.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
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Will Perry Stay or Go?
Gov. Rick Perry, in office since December 2000, won’t say until June whether he wants to run for another term in 2014. Almost everybody in Texas politics is waiting as if their futures depend on it.
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Politics
Agenda Texas: The Twitter Lobby
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Plenty of lobbyists are running around the Capitol during the legislative session, but as we enter the digital age, more of the lobbying is taking place on social media.
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Politics
The Polling Center: A Seat for the Tea Party
Sentiment for the Tea Party remains strong within the GOP, but what started as an insurgent group is becoming just another — albeit important — part of the Republican Party in Texas.
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Politics
TribLive: Garza on Latinos and the GOP
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza talked about the efforts of Republicans — nationally and in Texas — to attract Latino voters.
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Politics
Polling Center: Education Wasn’t a Silver Bullet for Democrats
A couple of Democrats won election in 2012 talking about education, but that doesn’t mean the issue was a silver bullet for the minority party. Lots of others talked about it and lost, and the two who won were victorious in districts favorable to them.
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Agenda Texas: Bond Rating Battle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Texas lawmakers are poised to spend billions out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund, but some say tapping the fund will lower the state’s bond rating. So what’s the truth?
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Politics
Cancer-Fighting Charity Hired Tobacco Lobbyist
A troubled cancer-fighting charity paid a tobacco lobbyist to represent its interests in the Legislature, even as it was winding down its operations and facing the wrath of lawmakers.
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Politics
Losing a Once-in-a-Lifetime Political Donor
With the death this weekend of Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, Texas Republicans lost one of their stalwarts, and one of their biggest and most reliable donors. So did a few Democrats.
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Politics
The Evening Brief: April 15, 2013
Your evening reading: Perry calls for $1.6 billion in business tax relief; George P. Bush jabs at Obama in new campaign video; Perry launches ad campaign targeting Illinois businesses