When money was tight two years ago, the state's top budget writers employed cutbacks and accounting tricks to balance the budget. Money is flowing again, but the budget folks are still finding it easy to say no. Full Story
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The renewed debate over gay membership in the the Boy Scouts of America has pitted Gov. Rick Perry squarely against President Obama. Full Story
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The University of Texas System Board of Regents will review policies regarding inappropriate relationships between students and employees at all 15 UT institutions, the system announced on Sunday. Full Story
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Williamson County State District Judge Ken Anderson faces a court of inquiry, starting Monday, that will determine whether he should face charges over a wrongful murder conviction. Full Story
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The University of Texas System regents have called a special meeting on Sunday to discuss recent coaching scandals at the system's flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story
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In this edition in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry delivered his State of the State address this week. It was big on large-scale spending, but didn't touch hot-button issues like abortion, immigration or gun control. Anti-abortion advocates rallied on the steps of the state Capitol. And U.S. Representative Roger Williams raised his Second Amendment banner. Full Story
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Aaronson interactively asks if Medicaid expansion could cover our costs, Aguilar on reactions to Obama's immigration plan, Batheja on Rick Perry's call for tax relief, Galbraith on the fight over xeriscaping, Grissom on the latest stay of execution, Murphy maps the makeup of the 83rd session's Senate committees, Ramsey on Perry's State of the State, Ramshaw on lawmakers carrying bills that benefit them, Root on the long, tortured history of ethics reform, my sit-down with the legislature's budget biggies and M. Smith on the latest in the public education accountability debate: The best of our best content from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, 2013. Full Story
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized about 1.7 million pounds of narcotics in Texas in fiscal 2012, about 270,000 pounds more than their counterparts in Arizona, New Mexico and California combined. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Perry calls for more charter schools; Obama administration offers compromise on birth control rule; governor's call for tax relief sparks confusion Full Story
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There will be no pay raise for legislators this year. The Texas Ethics Commission, at the urging of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus, declined to raise the per diem payments lawmakers get when they're in session. Full Story
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The $1.8 billion in tax relief that Gov. Rick Perry called for this week was short on details, but the few that are out there are already sparking questions. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry's brief remarks at the State Board of Education on Friday echoed his State of the State address, where he called for the creation of more charter schools and the expansion of career and technical courses for high school students. Full Story
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A federal court in Austin has ruled to preserve a new law regulating cat and dog breeders. While animal rights groups are celebrating their victory, the animal owners' association that challenged the law is pledging to renew its fight. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus says a new Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations will delve into the finances, compensation packages and public-private partnerships across state government Full Story
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Full video of my 1/31 TribLive conversation with state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie. Full Story
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The governor stayed away from social issues and some obvious hot-button topics in his State of the State speech this week. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a political speech. Full Story
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Goodwill Industries hopes to open a charter school in Central Texas to help adults who lack a high school education. But there is an obstacle: The state only provides funding for students under age 26. Full Story
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From Gov. James "Pa" Ferguson's impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists. Full Story
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Is Ted Cruz, less than a month into his Senate career, already rubbing off on John Cornyn? Full Story
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