The Brief: Dec. 20, 2013
Health care navigators are back on the agenda with a hearing Friday morning in Austin on new proposed state rules by the state's insurance department. Full Story
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![Jill Ramirez, the director of outreach for the Latino Healthcare Forum, passes out flyers and explains components of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 5, 2013.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
In Primary Season, a Key is to Get Names Known
Many of the candidates who are well known in political circles are strangers to voters. In most races — even for statewide offices — the leading candidate is "Undecided." Full Story
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Texas Democrats See Judge's Party Switch as Sign of Momentum
Democrats say the the decision by Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence Meyers to leave the Republican Party gives them something to build on for the 2014 elections. But GOP officials see no evidence of a sea change. Full Story
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![Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Larry Meyers is shown in his office in 2013.]()
Credit: Rodger Mallison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram -
The Evening Brief: Dec. 19, 2013
Your evening reading: state shutters six charter school campuses under new heightened accountability regime; conservative advocacy group circulates mailer criticizing lawmakers investigating UT regent; how Cruz's dad became a GOP rock star Full Story
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Cruz Ends Year as He Began It: No Apologies
By the time Ted Cruz completes his first year in office, he will arguably have become the most recognizable face of the GOP’s far right. So what does he have to say for himself? In a wide-ranging interview, he sized up year one. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaking at the 2013 Young Americans for Liberty National Convention at George Mason University in Arlington, Va., on July 31, 2013.]()
Credit: Gage Skidmore -
The Brief: Dec. 19, 2013
In a wide ranging interview with The Texas Tribune's Jay Root, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz refused to say whom he favored in the primary contest between John Cornyn and Steve Stockman, said he's working on renouncing his Canadian citizenship and had little to say about a potential run for the White House in 2016. Full Story
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![Senator Ted Cruz R-Texas speaks to press during a visit to Killeen Texas on December 3rd, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Immigration Reform Advocates Open to Taking Piecemeal Approach
Steadfast supporters of comprehensive immigration reform say that to have a chance for any change in 2014, they may have to be content with legislation that only addresses some of their overall objectives. Full Story
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![Immigration reform protesters walked up Congress Avenue toward the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Evening Brief: Dec. 18, 2013
Your evening reading: horrible details emerge in lawsuit filed on behalf of woman searched by customs officials; Phil Wilson moves from TxDOT to LCRA; BP sues San Antonio lawyer for fraud in class-action suit from 2010 Gulf spill Full Story
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Credit: Michelle Ramos -
TribCast: Bill Powers and the Governor's Race So Far
Evan, Ross, Jay and Reeve review the beginnings of the gubernatorial battle between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis and provide an update on the turmoil at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Dec. 18, 2013
The House select committee investigating possible articles of impeachment against UT System Regent Wallace Hall meets Wednesday. And indications are that it could be the last meeting as the investigation moves toward a conclusion. Full Story
Credit: Callie Richmond / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
Polling Center: GOP Candidates, Voters and Creationism
If you want to know why Republican candidates for lieutenant governor favor teaching creationism in schools, just look at conservative voters' views on the subject. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
12 Republicans File for Race to Succeed Stockman
The race to replace U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood, drew six additional Republicans in the last week, bringing the full primary field to 12. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Dec. 17, 2013
California Republican Darrell Issa supplemented a report critical of the health care navigator program with a field hearing in Texas on Monday to further explore those criticisms with a panel tilted heavily toward GOP members. Full Story
![Jill Ramirez, the director of outreach for the Latino Healthcare Forum, passes out flyers and explains components of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 5, 2013.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
The Evening Brief: Dec. 16, 2013
Your evening reading: when private companies come in to manage schools, transparency takes a hit; judge rules NSA phone program likely unconstitutional; state GOP chairman calls Texas "somewhat competitive" Full Story
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Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
The Brief: Dec. 16, 2013
The week starts with questions over whether the Texas A&M regents' decision on Saturday to tap the chancellor's favorite for interim president over the governor's favored candidate will lead to more controversy in College Station. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rick Perry with Railroad Commissioner John Sharp (D) on the floor of the House during the 70th Legislative session, May 20, 1987.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune / Courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives Commission -
Running for Office With Second Chances in Mind
The short game in Texas politics is the year ahead — the primaries in March and the general election in November. But a loss in 2014 might lead to something bigger in a future election. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Vast Rio Grande a Source of Numerous Legal Battles
With various levels of government in two countries making decisions that affect the Rio Grande, the 1,900-mile river has become the subject of interstate and international legal battles that have intensified during the continuing drought. Full Story
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In College Station, Another Fight Over a President
The big shots at Texas A&M ought to be relaxing and enjoying this week's battles over UT-Austin's football coach and president, but they're stuck in a distracting political fight of their own. Full Story
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The Evening Brief: Dec. 13, 2013
Your evening reading: new numbers and analysis on the Cornyn-Stockman primary contest; Texplainer explains the AG's duty to defend state laws; ex-El Paso County commissioner gets probation in corruption case Full Story
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Credit: Gage Skidmore -
The Brief: Dec. 13, 2013
New numbers suggest the state is having a hard time — at least initially — maintaining the same level of women's health services under its new purely state-funded program as the mostly federally funded program that preceded it. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
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