Laughing in the Face of Death
In what may be the Democrats' first concrete victory of the session, the House at last sent HB 400 to its grave when it failed to take up the controversial legislation before its midnight deadline. Full Story
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Late Homework
The deadline for approving bills in the House came and went this week without a vote on Rep. Scott Hochberg's school finance legislation. Meanwhile, in the upper chamber, Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, is struggling to find one more Democrat to get her proposal heard. Full Story
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Cardiologists Accuse Victoria Hospital of Discrimination
The emails and memos written by administrators and doctors at Victoria's Citizens Medical Center about three of their colleagues of Indian descent are, at best, derogatory. At worst, they could be seen as racist — and they're the subject of a sweeping discrimination suit. Full Story
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![Doctors Harish Chandna, Ajay Gaalla, Dakshesh Parikh stand for a portrait in their offices' waiting room.]()
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TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Aaronson on pork choppers, Aguilar on sanctuary cities legislation, Galbraith on Brownsville's ban on plastic bags, Grissom on Delma Banks and prosecutorial misconduct, Hamilton on a tough week for higher education in Texas, Philpott on wildfires and politics, Ramshaw on the state's pursuit of a federal Medicaid overhaul, M. Smith on what would happen if lawmakers don't rewrite school finance formulas, yours truly on the Lege as schoolyard and Stiles with interactive graphics on how the proposed Senate redistricting maps compare with current ones: The best of our best content from May 9 to 13, 2011. Full Story
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Exchange of Words Between Former Friends Caps Off Tense Week at Lege
A South Texas border brawl, complete with personal attacks about weight and cowardice, took place between former allies Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, and Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco. Full Story
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Texas House Passes Bill Against TSA "Groping"
Texas lawmakers have a message for Transportation Security Administration: hands off. The House passed a bill today that would prohibit invasive searches and pat-downs at airport security or other public buildings. Full Story
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Guest Column: Why "Loser Pays" is a Loser
The Governor, with the help of the Legislature, seems driven to dilute one of our most enduring constitutional bulwarks: the ability of Texas residents to get a fair shake in court. Full Story
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Video: The Week in Texas Politics, May 9 to May 13
No time to follow all the happenings of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recap of the biggest political stories in the state. Full Story
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Guest Column: Why "Loser Pays" is a Winner
Forget the hyperbolic editorial rhetoric. The Governor’s proposals for improving our civil justice system will help make lawsuits less expensive and less time consuming. Full Story
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Texas Warned About Cuts to Historically Black Universities
In April, Gov. Rick Perry received a letter from Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, reminding him of the state's commitment to Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University. Full Story
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![Texas Southern University had the state's lowest six-year graduation rate — 12 percent in the most recent data. But colleges throughout Texas have struggled to get more students to the finish line.]()
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House Approves Four Loko Ban
The Texas House passed a bill today on malt liquor drinks that contain caffeine, ginseng, taurine or guarana. The bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, import and possessing of alcoholic energy drinks, like the infamous Four Loko. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: May 13, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Perry pushing House budget in robocalls, angry senators say; Senate Redistricting Committee votes to split Travis County; conservative ads target East Texas Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry (l) gestures toward Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, during his visit to the Senate floor on May 5, 2011.]()
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House Passes Outcomes-Based Higher Ed Funding Bill
A bill allowing a chunk of funding for colleges and universities to be dedicated to "outcomes-based" funding passed through the House today and is headed to the Senate. Full Story
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Senate OKs Forensic Science Commission Bill
The mission and jurisdiction of the ever-controversial Texas Forensic Science Commission would get some clarification under a bil the Senate approved today. Full Story
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![Activist Jamie Bush attends the Texas Forensic Science Commission board meeting on September 17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas.]()
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Video: Outnumbered Democrats Struggle
This session, Texas Democrats are a frustrated bunch. From sanctuary cities to the state budget, they have so far lost every battle they've waged against the GOP. Texas Politics Project Director Jim Henson analyzes the struggle between the majority and the minority. Full Story
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Ron Paul Announces for President
This morning on ABC's Good Morning America, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, formally announced that he plans to run for president in 2012. Full Story
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The Brief: May 13, 2011
Democrats may have little time to savor their first real win of the session. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Budget Cuts Jeopardize Care for Critically Ill Children
Facing an estimated 28 percent reduction in funds to care for medically fragile children, in-home nursing companies say they could be forced to shut their doors, or else dramatically slash what they pay nurses. Full Story
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"Pork Choppers" Soon to Be Open for Business
When state Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, introduced a bill last legislative session to allow licensed hunters to shoot feral hogs from helicopters, Texas lawmakers jokingly passed out “pork chopper” buttons. They're not laughing anymore. Full Story
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![James Stone's ranch outside of Lockhart on May 10, 2011. Hogs have hobbled Stone's property, ruining pasture land, killing trees and damaging fences. He estimates taking out over 500 hogs during the last three years.]()
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Lawmaking That Looks Like a Schoolyard Fight
It turns out you can do a lot of damage with nothing more than a rule book, which is hazardous in a place that often runs like a schoolyard: Conduct trumps content. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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