Texas Democrats are Looking for a Pied Piper
Texas Democrats are hoping to fill out a statewide ballot that so far just has one candidate on it, and they're hoping a marquee candidate like Wendy Davis might prime the pump. Full Story
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![Sen. Wendy Davis addresses the Stand with Texas Women Rally crowd at the state Capitol the first day of the second special session.]()
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Boater Education Courses Target Invasive Species
One way that invasive aquatic species like the zebra mussel can spread across Texas waterways is via boats that aren't cleaned. New legislation requires boater education courses to address the importance of cleaning boats. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Christopher J. Churchill, a biologist for the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, displays several zebra mussels found along the shoreline of Lake Ray Roberts, near Sanger, Texas, Jul. 18, 2013.]()
Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux -
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Sine Die, Wendy Davis, Election Law
In this week's Newsreel: The Texas Legislature leaves Austin, we get a glimpse at Wendy Davis' future politcal plans, and we are left with this question: Will Texas ever get out of the battle over its political maps? Full Story
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Video: Penalties to Rise for Fatal Hit-and-Run Accidents
Failing to stop and render aid in a fatal accident will become a second-degree felony, increasing the punishment to up to 20 years in prison. The new law will make the punishment for a fatal hit-and-run accident equivalent to that for intoxicated manslaughter. Full Story
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In an Accident, Drivers Have New Reasons to Stay
With new laws increasing the penalties for drivers involved in hit-and-run fatalities or those who fail to stop and render aid, advocates hope there is more incentive for drivers to stay at the scene of accidents. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Laurie Griffin holds a photograph of her daughter Courtney outside the offices of state Rep. Elliott Naishtat on July 23, 2013. Griffin's daughter was killed by a driver who left the scene of the 2011 accident. Griffin has worked with Naishtat to pass news laws in Texas regarding certain hit-and-run cases.]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
Outsiders Have Squeaky Wheels in Common
Jonathan Stickland and Trey Martinez Fischer don't have a lot in common ideologically, but they have at least one similarity: Their use of the House's rear podium as a platform when they're outnumbered or ignored. Full Story
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![Group of House members gather around the back mic before vote on supplemental bill HB 10 which ultimately cleared the House on February 21st, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Sebelius Answers Questions on Medicaid Expansion
During a visit to Austin on Thursday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed the federal government's plans for expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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Abbott Detours Around Government Shutdown
Attorney General Greg Abbott said Thursday he would never give up the fight against Obamacare, but the gubernatorial candidate declined to embrace a temporary shut-down of the federal government promoted by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Phil Roeder -
Polling Center: Joe Straus and the Other Republicans
Many statewide Republican candidates are running to the right to position themselves for the primaries, but the Speaker of the House enjoys a rarified position: An office with statewide reach that doesn't appear on the statewide ballot. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Extra Cash Means New Equipment for 911 System
Lawmakers have increased the Commission on State Emergency Services' budget by 33 percent. That will help update its 911 system, which serves 224 of Texas' 254 counties. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![One of two 911 dispatch phones in the Rockdale Police Department in Rockdale, TX.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Video: Texas Closes Two Privately Run Jails
For only the second time in the state’s history, Texas lawmakers are closing inmate facilities to reduce bed capacity as the state’s prison population continues to drop. Full Story
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About Those Free Voter ID Cards — Few Sign Up
Texans aren’t exactly lining up to get the free voter ID certificates the Texas Department of Public Safety is required to distribute under the terms of the state’s controversial voter ID law. Both sides say that's proof they were right. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Dental Board's Review Process Gets Makeover
After hearing critics take aim at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, legislators approved new regulations that they hope will improve the board's efficiency. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Ralph Merry / SJ Sanders -
Video: Transportation Funding Plan Now Up to Voters
Texas lawmakers have passed legislation that – pending voter approval – would mean an estimated $1.2 billion annual boost for TxDOT. But it's not yet clear what details the agency will have ready to offer the public before next year's election. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / Mikel Manitius -
Proxy Marriage Limits End Inmate Weddings
A new constraint on proxy marriage in Texas — a measure intended to prevent fraud — will have a secondary effect: It will end prison inmates' ability to tie the knot. This story is part of our month-long 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Agenda Texas: Discussing Budget Priorities
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: State Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, who spent much of the session pushing for tighter budget constraints and tax cuts, discusses his budget philosophy this session. Full Story
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Interactive: Third Called Session Bill Tracker
The 83rd Legislature's third special session is underway, and Gov. Rick Perry has only added transportation funding to the call. But that hasn't stopped lawmakers from filing bills on other subjects. You can keep tabs on all of them with our bill tracker. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
New Council to Focus on Extended Learning Programs at Schools
The state’s new Expanded Learning Opportunities Council will be charged with developing a statewide action plan to improve and create extended learning opportunities in public schools. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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![Students in Yvonne McDaniel's Reading English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL, class participate in English-language exercises during summer school at McAllum High School in Austin, Texas, Jul. 31, 2013.]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
Newsreel: Third Time's the Charm?
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: The Legislature begins its third special session, the 2014 candidates are stirring and House leaders open a new political action committee to pass a constitutional amendment on water. Full Story
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State Awaits Federal Guidance to Drug Test Jobless Texans
Texans who work in some industries must already take drug tests as a condition of employment. Soon, they will also face them if they lose their jobs and seek unemployment. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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