The Brief: March 27, 2015
Agents with the FBI have spoken with Health and Human Services Commission about the troubled no-bid software contract with technology firm 21CT. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Long Legislative Road for Voucher Bills Begins
A preview of the looming battle over school vouchers played out Thursday as a state Senate panel considered two proposals to provide state financial support to parents who want to send their children to private schools. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to debate on SB 8 franchise tax reform measure during Senate action March 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 26, 2015
The first salvos in the legislative fight this session over school vouchers will be fired this morning as three bills come up for consideration in committee. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole -
Senate Passes Patrick's Tax Cut Package
The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s multibillion-dollar tax relief package to cut property and business margins taxes, tossing the ball into the House's court. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, lays out the property tax relief portion of Senate Bill 1 for final passage in the Senate on March 25, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Patrick's Tax Cut Package Fuels Debate as Senate Prepares to Vote
The full Senate is set to vote this week on a package of tax cut bills Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has championed, yet the measures have drawn opposition from some big business groups who argue that senators are cutting the wrong taxes. Full Story
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![Parliamentarian Karina Davis watches as new Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 24, 2015
So what's next for Ted Cruz after his splashy announcement Monday that he's an official candidate for the White House in 2016? The answer is pretty straightforward: It's now nose-to-the-grindstone time. Full Story
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Credit: Matt McClain, The Washington Post -
Republican Leaders Vow to Continue Fight Against Gay Marriage
With the future of Texas’ constitutional ban on same-sex marriage uncertain, Republican leaders on Monday pledged to continue the state’s fight against allowing gay couples to wed. Full Story
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![Advocates gathered outside the Texas Capitol on March 23 to rally in support of the state's ban on same-sex marriage.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 23, 2015
As you read these words over your morning coffee, Ted Cruz is already a candidate for president. He announced about 11 p.m. Texas time via Twitter. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the Republican stage election night Nov. 4, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
In Legislature, Toll Roads Facing Strong Opposition
Anti-toll sentiment at the Capitol is at its highest level in at least a decade as both Republicans and Democrats have proposed measures that would either tap the brakes on new toll road projects, or undo the state’s current tolling system entirely. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: March 16, 2015
Legislative activity begins to ramp up in the two chambers this week with speculation rampant that the Senate might take up as early as today legislation that would allow permitted gun owners to carry handguns openly. Full Story
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![Anti-guns advocates inside Texas Capitol where the Senate Committee on State Affairs is listening to testimony SB 11 & SB 17 both related to handguns on Feb. 12th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: March 11, 2015
State contracting has become one of the signature issues of the legislative session, but finding a fix won't be easy. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wraps up the Sunset Advisory Commission hearing on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Fear of Spending Even Extends to Tax Cuts
Lawmakers want to send voters a tax cut but fear spending the money the cut requires without asking voters for permission. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: March 5, 2015
Business interests told Senate budget writers on Wednesday that a tax relief plan focused on making changes to the business margins tax prioritized the wrong issue. Full Story
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![Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX]()
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Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, together with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, hold a press conference on the budget on Jan. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: In Senate, Spotlight Squarely on Tax Cuts
Here's some free advice to anyone hoping to see some love in the next state budget: Get in line. Tax cuts are at the front of the queue. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 4, 2015
Senate budget writers in the middle of what they are describing as "Tax Relief Week" expressed remorse en masse at having created the business margins tax in 2006. Full Story
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![Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Patrick Unveils First Round of Education Proposals
Virtual learning, A-through-F school ratings and teacher quality were among the topics covered by broad slate of education reform bills announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Education Chairman Larry Taylor on Tuesday. Full Story
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![New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 3, 2015
In a House committee hearing on Monday, one witness sought to redefine the climate change debate as one with clear implications to national security. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Jinjian Liang -
GOP Leaders Say They Won't Expand Medicaid
Leading Texas Republicans on Monday asked the Obama administration for greater flexibility to administer Medicaid — a move that has gotten little traction in the past — while reiterating that they would not participate in an expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: March 2, 2015
The Tribune's Jay Root and Neena Satija filed a story over the weekend on the problem of deferred maintenance at state government buildings in multiple agencies. It makes for some grim reading. Full Story
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![The Texas School for the Deaf in Austin.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez, KUT News