The Brief: Sept. 10, 2014
State Rep. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, a Tea Party favorite, cruised to an outright win on Tuesday night in the special election to fill the West Texas Senate seat formerly held by Robert Duncan. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Guard's Arrival on Border Brings Relief, Concerns
The arrival of the Texas National Guard to the border has been met with praise by some who say the state is taking the lead in securing the border. Others say the deployment is overkill that only serves to hamper the local economy. Full Story
Credit: Julián Aguilar -
Analysis: Senate Decks Shuffled a Little Early
Lame-duck Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst had to make a few committee assignments to replace members who resigned. But he didn't stop there. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst delivering his concession speech after losing his re-election bid on May 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: July 25, 2014
Can those National Guard troops being sent to the border arrest people? The latest word is they can. And the reason why is that Rick Perry sent them, and not the federal government. Full Story
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![Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard explains the Guard's role in helping secure the border as Gov. Rick Perry, l, and DPS Director Steve McCraw listen July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Sending Guard Troops to the Border
Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he is sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops to help beef up security along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation will cost an estimated $12 million a month. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry, flanked by State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Texas Adjutant General John Nichols, announces the deployment of National Guard troops to the Texas border on July 21, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: July 21, 2014
Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will make a border security announcement at 2 p.m. at the state Capitol. The two are expected to announce the deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry and DPS Director Steve McCraw spoke at a June 23, 2014, news conference following a tour of a federal facility housing unaccompanied minors in Weslaco, Texas. The state is providing $1.3 million per week to step up border patrols.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: July 18, 2014
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is on his way out in a few months, but on Thursday he moved to fill some key Senate leadership slots to help the chamber prepare for the coming legislative session in January. Full Story
![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst delivering his concession speech after losing his re-election bid on May 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: July 17, 2014
Wendy Davis' fundraising figures from Tuesday that showed her raising slightly more money than her GOP rival for governor are now being questioned. Full Story
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![Texas gubernatorial hopeful Wendy Davis addresses delegates at the Black Caucus at the 2014 Texas Democratic Convention held at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, June 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Alyssa Banta -
Perry and Obama Will Meet to Discuss Border Crisis
UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry will meet with President Obama on Wednesday to discuss the continuing crisis on the border, an aide to the governor confirmed Tuesday. Full Story
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![President Barack Obama, lands on Air Force One in Austin, Texas. May 9th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: July 8, 2014
The fate of University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers continued to draw the attention of lawmakers on Monday while a new statement from UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa made explicit the breakdown in the working relationship between the two men. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Judge Orders Senator to Testify in Hurricane Claims Case
A state senator will have to testify in response to allegations that he exerted improper political pressure on the state windstorm insurance agency, a judge ruled Thursday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Political Landscape Shifts as Hall Inquiry Continues
As a lengthy legislative investigation of University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall appears to be nearing an end, the 2014 elections and developments at the University of Texas System are adding new twists. Full Story
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![Clockwise, from top left: Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Republican nominee for governor; University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall; Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Warns of a "Trail of Tears" From Central America
Gov. Rick Perry on Monday warned that if Central American leaders do not heed the call to stop their citizens from flooding across the Texas-Mexico border, the summer months will bear witness to a “trail of tears” caused by a surge of dead migrants. Full Story
![Gov. Rick Perry and DPS Director Steve McCraw spoke at a June 23, 2014, news conference following a tour of a federal facility housing unaccompanied minors in Weslaco, Texas. The state is providing $1.3 million per week to step up border patrols.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
White House Under Fire for Proposed Solution to Immigrant Surge
Both immigrants' rights groups and conservative lawmakers are criticizing the White House's plan, announced Friday, to deal with the influx of migrants illegally crossing Texas’ southern border. Full Story
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![U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling in the Rio Grande Valley.]()
Credit: Julian Aguilar -
DPS Addresses New Border Operation
UPDATED: The Texas DPS said Thursday that as part of its new mission, it will partner with local and federal authorities to “deter and disrupt drug and human trafficking, and other border-related crimes.” Full Story
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![Newly commissioned patrol vessel, part of the Tactical Marine Unit, funded by federal Homeland Security grants, will help with the state's efforts in combating Mexican drug cartels patrolling the Rio Grande River]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: June 19, 2014
Texas' top leadership on Wednesday evening gave orders to boost spending at the Texas-Mexico border by $1.3 million a week through at least the end of the calendar year. Full Story
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![A live surveillance camera view from a BlueServo camera]()
Credit: BlueServo -
The Brief: June 18, 2014
In the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, the influence of the Tea Party is seen in a hardening line on immigration and views on the state's role in addressing the gender wage gap. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Patrick Wants Emergency Spending for Border Security
UPDATED: Dan Patrick, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, joined some of his conservative colleagues on Tuesday in calling for “immediate action” to address the surge of undocumented immigrants crossing into Texas. Full Story
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![Texas DPS agent Cuevas removes a M2-40 machine gun from newly commissioned patrol vessel. The boat, part of the Tactical Marine Unit, funded by federal Homeland Security grants, will help with the state's efforts in combating Mexican drug cartels patrolling the Rio Grande River]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
UT/TT Poll: Abbott Has 12-Point Lead Over Davis
Attorney General Greg Abbott leads state Sen. Wendy Davis by 12 percentage points in the race for Texas governor, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht -
The Brief: June 5, 2014
The unveiling of revised Republican Party platform language on immigration and homosexuality highlighted coverage of the state convention in Fort Worth on Wednesday. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Dawn Paley / Caleb Bryant Miller
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