Candidates in next year’s U.S. House and Senate elections in Texas raised more than $5 million in the first quarter from individuals. Most live in Texas. But a significant portion came from outside the Lone Star State, according to the Federal Election Commission. California led the way, followed by Virginia, Washington, D.C. and New York.
Politics
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Higher Education
UT Regents Unanimously Support Chancellor’s Vision
At a meeting of the University of Texas System Board of Regents in Austin Thursday, UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa won unanimous support after laying out his “framework for advancing excellence throughout the university system.”
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Higher Education
Was McKinney’s Departure From A&M System Voluntary?
Multiple higher education sources with knowledge of the events that transpired before the Texas A&M chancellor’s surprise “retirement” announcement on Tuesday say that members of the system’s board of regents told him it was time for a change.
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Health care
Video: Cecile Richards Visits Capitol, Defends Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards, a native Texan and daughter of former Gov. Ann Richards, visited the Capitol on Wednesday to defend funding for womens’ health services.
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Higher Education
Consultants Analyze Higher Ed “Breakthrough Solutions”
In recent months, a set of seven “breakthrough solutions” for higher education have been discussed, debated and mulled over in the press, the Legislature, and various academic circles. Arguably lacking in the debate is the voice of a disinterested third party — until now.
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Economy
Video: Outside Groups, Ads Influence Senate Budget Debate
The Texas Senate passed a budget this week for the next biennium, but only after nearly suffering a meltdown. Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden has blamed some of the drama on the meddling of outside interest groups.
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Politics
For Congress, Fundraising Can Never Begin Too Early
Members of Congress from Texas — and potential candidates for those offices — have raised more than $9 million in the first quarter of this year in advance of the 2012 federal elections, campaign records show.
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Economy
Schools Consider Legal Action Over Budget Cuts
With school districts across the state passing belt-tightening budgets due to cuts expected at the Legislature, Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports that some districts are gearing up for legal challenges.
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Higher Education
UT System Releases Data on Faculty “Productivity”
This afternoon, the University of Texas System released much-anticipated data on faculty “productivity” — noting, however, that the 821-page spreadsheet is in a raw draft form that has not been fully verified and “cannot yield accurate analysis, interpretations or conclusions.”
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Higher Education
Jeff Sandefer Opens Up on Higher Ed Debate
Jeff Sandefer, the author of the “seven breakthrough solutions” that have rocked the Texas higher education community, has broken his silence on the matter.