The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, is engaged in a long-term campaign to convince his fellow legislators that the state's bond debt is an urgent problem and that tax increases are part of a conservative solution. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego is taking his GOP colleagues to task on sequestration. In a letter, the freshman congressman tells border hawks they can’t be for the continued sequester and for increased border security at the same time. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday told conservative activists to blame their recent electoral losses on the messengers, not the message. Full Story
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Your evening reading: at CPAC, Perry calls Medicaid expansion "coercion"; El Paso lawmaker arrested on DWI charge; Democrat scolds Cruz at gun hearing Full Story
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State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, was arrested by Austin police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and booked into Travis County Jail early Thursday morning, according to Travis County public records. Full Story
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Ahead of his Thursday speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference, Gov. Rick Perry has sent a letter to members of Texas' congressional delegation asking them to fight for flexibility for the state's Medicaid program. Full Story
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Despite water’s saturation of the political priority list, the public still appears ambivalent about Texas’ water needs and out of step with state legislators on how to pay for it, according to the latest UT/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The video released Wednesday announcing George P. Bush's run for Texas land commissioner originally featured music from Beyoncé, a prominent supporter of President Obama's. As of Thursday morning, that music was gone. Full Story
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Ted Cruz on Wednesday offered some pointers to conservative activists preparing for their annual confab in Washington. Full Story
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Evan, Emily, Ben and Reeve talk about George P. Bush's launch of his bid for land commissioner, the chances of Medicaid expansion in Texas, and the ongoing questions about the University of Texas Law School Foundation. Full Story
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Republicans and Democrats from Texas’ congressional delegation have come together to file legislation that would allow for public-private partnerships to fund port infrastructure improvements and staff increases. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday gave his first formal speech on the Senate floor, urging his colleagues to support an amendment to defund federal health reform. Full Story
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According to the latest UT/Texas Tribune Poll, rural men and urban women are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes on gun policy. We may not be talking about Mars and Venus, but we’re close. Full Story
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On this morning's edition of The Daily Rundown, U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, told Chuck Todd that a Democrat can win a down-ballot statewide race in the next four-year cycle. Full Story
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Going by the Texas Weekly Index, which is based on the results of contested statewide elections over the 2010 and 2012 political cycles, the state's most conservative districts are in the Panhandle. Use this interactive to see charts that illustrate the political climate of each district. Full Story
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As gun control discussions heat up at the state and federal level, it's open season on firearm manufacturers' business. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is hoping to bag Beretta USA — currently based in Maryland — and bring it to Texas. Full Story
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George P. Bush told state election officials Tuesday he will run for land commissioner in 2014. He had previously filed papers required for anyone raising campaign funds in the state, but hadn’t officially specified what office he might seek. Full Story
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Your evening reading: at education rally, Davis knocks Combs over revenue estimate; committees hear $2 billion water plan proposal; Garcia sworn in to Senate seat Full Story
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Former state Rep. Vicki Truitt says she's over her primary loss to Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake. But an email she sent to "selected friends" early this month indicates she's still harboring resentment over the bruising campaign. Full Story
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This week in the Newsreel: Highlights from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, lawmakers work toward completion of the first supplemental appropriations bill and Sylvia Garcia wins the SD-6 special election. Full Story
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