The Brief: April 17, 2015
Health and Human Services chief Kyle Janek finds himself in the spotlight again over a contract awarded to a single bidder. 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 -
Cruz Aide Leading New Political Action Committee
The campaign manager for Ted Cruz’s successful 2012 Senate bid, John Drogin, will run a new political action committee that endorsed the senator on its first day in operation Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
The Brief: April 16, 2015
For all the talk about undocumented immigrants qualifying for in-state tuition at Texas colleges and universities, it turns out that these students make up a very small portion of the college-going population. Full Story
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![Students arrive in caps & gowns to Texas Capitol on April 6th, 2015. The Senate sub-committee on border security will listen to testimony on SB #1819 relating to determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz Nets $4.3M With Help of Texas' Top GOP Donors
In early campaign fundraising, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is adding some deep-pocketed Texas donors to the loyal base of small givers backing his presidential bid. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, left, and wife Heidi, back, outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
The Brief: April 13, 2015
The big political news of the weekend was the long-expected launch of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. It was a move that made waves even in ruby red Texas. Full Story
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![Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton readies for the onslaught of book patrons at BookPeople on June 20, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cruz, Perry Take Different Approaches to Targeting Hillary Clinton
While U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry unsurprisingly agree former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would make a bad president, they have taken different approaches to explaining why. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
The Playlist: On the Trail
It’s less than a year until the first presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the 2016 race is already well underway, so we start off this week's playlist off the news with a campaign-themed set. Full Story
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Cruz to NRA: Come and Take It!
Invoking the Battle of Gonzales cry “Come and Take It,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz took his case for the presidency to National Rifle Association activists at the organization’s annual spring meeting in Nashville on Friday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday, April 10, 2015.]()
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The Brief: April 10, 2015
The question of whether Attorney General Ken Paxton will be charged in connection with his failure to register with the State Securities Board while soliciting clients for investment firms could now rest in the hands of the Texas Rangers. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton, r, with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott during the press conference praising federal Judge Andrew S. Hanen's immigration ruling on Feb. 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: April 9, 2015
Republicans leery of granting more eminent domain authority acted to fast-track to nowhere a proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas. Full Story
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New Super PACs Backing Cruz Expect $31 Million First-Week Haul
A quartet of super PACs is coming to the aid of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as he embarks on his 2016 presidential campaign, and they expect to raise a whopping $31 million during their first week. Full Story
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Credit: Matt McClain, The Washington Post -
TedTracker: Follow Cruz on the Campaign Trail
Use the TedTracker to check the public events — past and future — Ted Cruz has announced since making his run for president official. Full Story
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The Brief: April 8, 2015
Lawmakers are talking about giving taxpayers billions in tax relief this session. But in a state with 27 million residents, it turns out that even $4.5 billion doesn't stretch as far as the politicians would like it to. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: April 7, 2015
A Senate subcommittee hearing legislation that would repeal the state's 2001 law offering in-state tuition to certain undocumented Texas high school graduates lasted well past the midnight hour as dozens of witnesses testified against the bill. Full Story
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![Dreamer Jesus Trevino, waits his turn to testify during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: April 6, 2015
The House's chief tax writer is dropping some clues on how his chamber's approach to tax relief this session will differ from their counterparts in the Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, confers with State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, during a point of order called on House Bill 11 on March 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cruz Won't Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
In a brief statement, the school said it was notified that Sen. Ted Cruz is "regrettably unable to join us" at the May event. No reason was given. Full Story
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Roundup: The House Budget Marathon and Cruz's Campaign
In the Roundup: The House debates hundreds of budget amendments, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raises money and moves up in the polls in his first couple of weeks as a 2016 presidential contender. Full Story
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The Brief: April 3, 2015
A state auditor's report that looked into the controversial no-bid fraud detection software contract awarded to the technology firm 21CT revealed "operational defects" in how the state's health and human services agency awards contracts. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek asks questions during the first public hearing of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 23, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz Courts Young Voters in Iowa
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this week began his first swing through Iowa as a declared presidential candidate. He started out at a college in Sioux City, hoping to attract young people to his fledgling campaign. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at a Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative conference on Jan. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cruz Offers to Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has approached Texas A&M International University about speaking at the Laredo college's spring commencement, the A&M System confirmed Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz holding a press conference at the Anzalduas International Bridge in Mission surrounded by a group of local ranchers who said they've been affected by poor border security.]()
Credit: Doug Young