The Brief: Sept. 18, 2014
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples lost out on his bid to be lieutenant governor, but he might be in line for another job before his term ends in January. Full Story
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The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples lost out on his bid to be lieutenant governor, but he might be in line for another job before his term ends in January. Full Story
The State Board of Education took its first vote Wednesday on an amendment that would require teachers in the state to adhere to the state's curriculum standards when teaching Advanced Placement courses. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday invited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to witness for himself the operations of the National Guard patrolling the Texas side of the Rio Grande. Full Story
State leaders seem reluctant to break out the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the border surge even though apprehensions of illegal immigrants have hit a target goal laid out in July. Full Story
University of Texas System regents moved quickly Monday to keep two lawmakers from sitting in on interviews conducted by an external investigator into admissions procedures at the system's flagship Austin campus. Full Story
The congressional debate about how to address the influx of unaccompanied Central American minors crossing illegally into Texas is likely to re-emerge later this year when lawmakers debate an omnibus budget bill, according to a Texas lawmaker. Full Story
The Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County is cutting its ties with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The move is an attempt to reclaim state dollars for women’s health care for impoverished women. Full Story
It can be jarring for a political movement built around restraining the legal system to spawn a collection of officeholders eager to use the courts to get their way. Full Story
At stake, according to a posted agenda for today's meeting of the UT System regents, is "the integrity and independence" of an external investigation of admissions procedures. Full Story
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, we talked about the campaigns being run by three GOP statewide candidates, the conservative makeup of the state Senate, Wendy Davis' new book and more. Full Story
During a Spanish-language townhall on Univision, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, advocated for raising the minimum wage in Texas. Full Story
Greg Abbott continued on Thursday his attack against his rival in the race for governor, not going after the substance of Wendy Davis' new memoir but rather the publicity tour that has accompanied it. Full Story
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst issued a harsh rebuke of the Mexican government on Thursday for issuing what he called an “offensive” statement on the border surge that coincided with the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Full Story
The campaign manager for GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott filed an ethics complaint on Thursday alleging that the Wendy Davis book tour represents a conversion of political contributions into personal use. Full Story
State Sen. Wendy Davis' revelation that she had an abortion late in her 1997 pregnancy is shedding light on a provision in the restrictive abortion legislation she tried in vain to stop last year. Full Story
U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a Dallas Republican, has bucked businesses and some Republicans in his battle to phase out the agency that finances U.S. exports. KERA takes this look at Hensarling, a rising political star, who may lose the short-term battle, but expects to win the fight. Full Story
Opinions differ as to whether the procedure would be allowed under an exemption for fetal abnormalities. Full Story
An aide to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Wednesday night that speculation the Texas Republican would try to force a government shutdown over an immigration measure isn't coming from the junior senator’s office. Full Story
Increased funding for preventive care and luring medical professionals to Texas are at the center of gubernatorial frontrunner Greg Abbott’s health care plan, unveiled in Houston on Wednesday. Full Story
Full video of my 9/10 TribLive conversation with Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa and Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri. Full Story