The Brief: Dec. 4, 2014
With two sentences, a federal appeals court in New Orleans stopped the execution planned for Wednesday night of Scott Panetti. Full Story
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The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
With two sentences, a federal appeals court in New Orleans stopped the execution planned for Wednesday night of Scott Panetti. Full Story
In his 31st lawsuit against the Obama administration, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott leads Texas and 16 other states challenging new protections for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants. Full Story
If he opts to run for president again, Gov. Rick Perry wants to ensure that his entry into the field bears little resemblance to 2011, when he jumped into the Republican presidential primaries with little preparation or forethought. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he would require all state agencies to use E-Verify, a federal electronic employee verification system that aims to prevent the hiring of illegal workers. Full Story
In city council runoff elections now underway in Austin, some voters will have the chance to weigh in on a sibling rivalry, while others will be asked to choose sides in a fight over religion and a theory about 9/11. Full Story
An execution planned for Wednesday evening is focusing attention on the use of the death penalty on those with serious mental illness. Full Story
After fending off accusations of liberalism from opponent Gary Gates throughout their special election race, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst got to respond to her main challenger face-to-face Tuesday night. Full Story
Full video of Evan Smith's 12/1 conversation on the Texas Woman's University campus with state Reps. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, and Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton. Full Story
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Tuesday that a new border security task force is coming to the U.S.-Mexico-border as part of President Obama's executive action on immigration. Full Story
A Ted Cruz for president Super PAC is up and running, while others doubt his ability to win over his party's big donors. Full Story
A story published over the weekend gave details on Gov. Rick Perry's prep work this week and month for a possible second run for the White House in 2016. Full Story
Republicans didn't just win their statewide elections earlier this month — they won in ways that only become apparent when you dig into the numbers. In many counties, the Democrats could not attract more than one voter in five. Full Story
Rapidly falling oil prices might have drivers grateful at the gas pump, but indicators continue to grow that this lower price per barrel will soon have a significant impact on oil production. Full Story
Allies of both House Speaker Joe Straus and challenger Scott Turner are calling for a record vote in January when House lawmakers convene to elect their leader. Such a record vote hasn't occurred since 1975. Full Story
When Molly White takes office in January, she will immediately be one of the Texas House’s most conservative members. But to a degree unique among her new colleagues, ending abortion is White’s personal and political passion. Full Story
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott indicated on Monday that Texas could soon file suit over the Obama administration's executive order intended to protect up to 5 million undocumented immigrants from the threat of immediate deportation. Full Story
A state lawsuit challenging President Obama’s executive order shielding as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation could come from Texas in the next two weeks, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott says. Full Story
Multiple political vacancies create opportunities, and risks, for several politicians in the run-up to the legislative session. Full Story
Little known outside the halls of Texas government, Daniel Hodge has become one of its more powerful behind-the-scenes figures. That's only becoming more true: He's expected to serve a key role in the new governor's administration. Full Story
The best of our best content from Nov. 17-21, 2014. Full Story