The Brief: May 5, 2011
Democrats — stripped of power on Wednesday after Republicans skirted a Senate procedural tradition — may now be shut out of the budget debate entirely. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Procedural Move Allows GOP to Pass Senate Budget
The $176 billion budget was approved along party lines, with all 19 Republicans voting for it and all 12 Democrats voting against. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Will E-Verify Legislation Still Pass This Session?
Despite a bevy of bills filed this session that would require Texas employers to use the federal electronic verification system known as E-Verify, the legislation has, so far, failed to advance out of committee — and the clock is winding down. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Bills Targeting Teen Pregnancy Making Little Headway
According to researchers, Texas taxpayers would save about $57 million per year if the state cut its teen birth rate. But as Gretch Sanders of KUT News reports, proposed legislation to curb the state’s teen pregnancy problem — and save taxpayer dollars — hasn’t gotten much traction. Full Story
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Video: 2011 Membership Drive — Our Impact
Ever wonder how many stories, videos and blog posts we've published and how many people have come to the site and the number of pages they've viewed since the Trib launched 18 months ago? The short answer: a lot. Full Story
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Video: Perry Responds to Disaster Declaration Denial
On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry blasted the federal government's decision not to give Texas a disaster declaration for wildfires. "There is no consistency with this administration," he said. Full Story
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House Tentatively Approves Student Concussion Bill
The House approved a measure tonight meant to prevent brain injuries that result from concussions sustained by student athletes. Full Story
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Senate Approves Budget Bill on Party-Line Vote
The Texas Senate voted 19-12 along party lines Wednesday to pass its own version of HB 1, the House’s budget for the next biennium. Not only did the Democrats lose their power to stop the bill under the traditional two-thirds rule, but they may have lost their chance for a Democrat to join the conference committee where five senators and five representatives will develop a compromise bill. Full Story
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Liveblog: Senate Passes Budget, 19-12
Over the vehement objections of Democrats, the Texas Senate today passed a state budget for the next biennium by a straight party-line vote of 19 to 12. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cornyn, Perry Blast Feds Over Wildfires
Sen. John Cornyn vowed to "raise Cain" if the federal government's decision not to give Texas extra financial assistance for battling the wildfires hinged on politics. But the feds say that Texas is already getting help. Full Story
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Lawmakers Could Settle Dispute Between Referees and UIL
State lawmakers may do what the judicial system so far hasn't: settle a dispute between the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Association of Sport Officials over which organization controls the officiating at school sports events. Full Story
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The Midday Brief: May 4, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Senate tentatively approves budget; Cornyn, Perry take aim at White House for denying disaster relief; abortion sonogram compromise reached Full Story
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The Weekly TribCast: Episode 78
In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss the Texas Senate, the budget being considered by the Texas Senate, and the influence of outside groups on the Texas Senate. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House, Senate Unite on Abortion Sonogram Bill
Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, and Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston joined forces this morning to ask the House to accept all of the Senate's amendments to the abortion sonogram bill, virtually ensuring it's headed to Gov. Rick Perry's desk. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Did Former SBOE Member Violate State Ethics Law?
Did former State Board of Education member Rene Nunez violate state law when he encouraged four current board members to extend the contract with the company managing the state's $25 billion Permanent School Fund? Full Story
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A&M Alumni Organize Against Higher Ed Proposals
A group of prominent Texas A&M University alumni have signed a letter opposing the controversial "breakthrough solutions" proposed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and encouraged by the state's Aggie-in-Chief, Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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The Brief: May 4, 2011
Amid a flurry of activity in the Legislature on Tuesday, the Senate quietly eyed a procedural oddity it may use today to pass the state budget. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Update: Can Tier-One Contenders Reach Consensus on Prize Money?
There's a substantial cash prize awaiting Texas' seven emerging research universities, if they can meet the criteria to be considered "tier one." But there's no way to get at it right now, and there won't be unless they can all reach an agreement. Full Story
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Video: 2011 Membership Drive — Tour the Site
Get the most out of your Trib experience — take our video tour of the site's many features, all designed to keep you informed of the key political and policy issues facing Texas. Full Story
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How Good a Job is Texas Doing to Prevent Teen Pregnancy?
Every 10 minutes a teen in Texas gets pregnant, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. With groups observing the 10th Annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy today, Gretch Sanders of KUT News reports on the search for ways to bring that rate down. Full Story
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