The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Republican Dan Patrick and Democrat Leticia Van de Putte were asked 10 questions in Monday's debate. But there had been more waiting for them. Here's a look at the questions that didn't fit into the hourlong debate. Full Story
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During a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Gov. Rick Perry said he would be better prepared than he was in 2012 if he decides to run for president again in 2016. He said his poor health contributed to his poor performance. Full Story
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In the only scheduled debate in their race for lieutenant governor, state Sens. Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte faced off on Monday night in a lively exchange that displayed divergent positions. Full Story
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Full video of the 9/29 debate between the major party candidates for Texas lieutenant governor: state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor, says Attorney General Greg Abbott, her Republican opponent, intentionally used the power of his office to hide misspending in the troubled Texas Enterprise Fund. Full Story
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When lawmakers are not working on all of the things you hear about — budgets, education, immigration and so on — they are often refereeing fights between businesses. And some of next year's battles are already shaping up. Full Story
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In Texas, reports of loose oversight over hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development funds, cancer research grants and plain old tax money are fueling pointed criticism from both the left and the right. Full Story
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UPDATED: Attorney General Greg Abbott will appeal a ruling that the Texas school finance system is unconstitutional, according to a notice his office sent Friday to attorneys in the case. The appeal is set to go directly to the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
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A lawsuit filed by an Austin lawyer is arguing that Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Susan Combs had no authority to spend taxpayer money on criminal defense attorneys for the governor, who is fighting an indictment. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus, seeking a fourth term at the helm of the chamber, is facing a challenge from state Rep. Scott Turner. If Straus prevails, he could gain an advantage in setting the agenda for the next legislative session. Full Story
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Following opposition from gun rights organizations, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission this week dropped proposed rules changes that would have allowed alcohol sales alongside gun sales. Full Story
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Several conservative writers had made a connection between the death of comedian Joan Rivers and Texas' regulation of abortion clinics before Gov. Rick Perry's comment on the matter Sunday. Full Story
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Full video of Ross Ramsey's 2014 Texas Tribune Festival keynote conversation with state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, Speaker of the Texas House. Full Story
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A vow by state Sen. Dan Patrick, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, to repeal the Texas DREAM Act could face criticism from Republicans trying to reach out to Hispanic voters. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry, speaking on Sunday at The Texas Tribune Festival, said he still supports a Texas law that grants in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. He also said he would not decide whether he was going to run for president until 2015. Full Story
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Greg Abbott, the Republican nominee for Texas governor, is trying to break the Democrats’ near lock on deep South Texas. The Democrats are dismissive of his effort, but it underscores the importance both camps are attaching to Hispanics this year. Full Story
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During a heated debate Saturday on women’s health, state Rep. Dawnna Dukes revealed that she has had an abortion. The revelation comes two weeks after state Sen. Wendy Davis revealed she terminated two pregnancies for medical reasons. Full Story
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The stark differences between state Sens. Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte, the Republican and Democratic nominees for lieutenant governor, were front and center Saturday as they appeared at the Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story
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We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Immigration track. The sessions include panels on border security, Latinos and the Republican Party, the comprehensive immigration reform debate, and what to do with the DREAMers. Full Story
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We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Public Education track. The sessions include panels on education reform, the new math requirements for high school graduation, early college high schools, and insight from superintendents. Full Story
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