The Three-Party System
The House debate on the budget flushed out a new coalition in a Legislature split between traditional and populist Republicans, and Democrats. The losers? The populist Republicans, many of them freshmen. Full Story
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![Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, has left the House, and would-be successors are lining up.]()
Credit: Bob Daemrmich -
The Evening Brief: April 10, 2013
Your evening reading: state Senate OKs drug testing for welfare applicants; after deal reached, Cruz still threatening to filibuster gun bill; "anti-groping" bill back in state House Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senators Talk, Without Voting, About Casinos in Texas
The effort to open casinos in Texas got a hearing from a Texas Senate committee Wednesday, but opposition remains strong and charitable groups that benefit from other games of chance have some concerns, too. Full Story
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![Casino gambling and sports betting are again before the state Legislature in 2023.]()
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The Brief: April 10, 2013
Lawmakers haven't ignored transportation this session, but big plans for infrastructure funding may have stalled. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Matthew Rutledge / Todd Wiseman -
Senate Passes Measure That Requires Drug Tests for Welfare Applicants
UPDATED: The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits. Full Story
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![A medical technician handles and prepares urine sample to be tested for drugs at a small medical clinic in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Passes Bill to Drug-Test Welfare Applicants
UPDATED: The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Catholic Leaders, Faithful Rally at Capitol
Texas Catholics rallied at the capitol Tuesday for Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day, calling on legislators to tighten abortion restrictions and improve access to health care, among a wide variety of issues. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Evening Brief: April 9, 2013
Your evening reading: Senate panel hears impassioned debate over school choice bill; Perry urges Obama to press Mexico to release water to Texas; Cornyn, McCaul file border security measure Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry to Obama: Press Mexico for Water
In a letter to President Obama on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry urged the federal government to press Mexico to release more water to Texas under the terms of a 1944 treaty. Full Story
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![Rio Grande as seen from Chapeno, Starr Co.]()
Credit: Bill Bouton -
The Brief: April 9, 2013
With the budget fight largely over, attention in the Capitol has moved back to other contentious issues, like school choice and gambling. Full Story
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![The Texas Senate on the opening day of the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 8, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Fight Over Information Security Could Jeopardize "Michael Morton Act"
A fight over what defense lawyers could do with information about their clients in criminal cases after prosecutors turn it over to them is threatening to stymie the “Michael Morton Act.” Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Seliger: Perry Should Address UT System Tensions
Amid mounting tensions between the University of Texas System and the Legislature, Senate Higher Education Chairman Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, is calling for Gov. Rick Perry to step in and calm the waters. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Evening Brief: April 8, 2013
Your evening reading: prospects dim for bill that would cut early-voting period; Carona touts gambling measure ahead of committee hearing; Craddick says he meant to vote against anti-voucher amendment Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Carona Sets the Stage for Hearing on Gambling Measure
"You never really know when a major issue like this will find a break or an opportunity to be passed," state Sen. John Carona said Monday of proposed legislation that could lead to the legalization of casino gambling in Texas. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Bill That Cuts Early-Voting Period Likely to Be Pulled
A bill that would slash the number of days allowed for early voting is likely to be pulled after scathing testimony Monday from opponents who said the bill was discriminatory and retrogressive. Full Story
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Credit: Amy Qualls-McClure -
The Medicaid Expansion Merry-Go-Round
Republican legislators who want to use federal Medicaid expansion dollars are struggling to find common ground between the Perry administration in Texas and the Obama administration in Washington. But they're trying. Full Story
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Texas Roads Paved With Taxes, Tolls and Debt
Voters want better roads. Lawmakers want happy voters. Roads require taxes, tolls, debt or some combination of the three, which is why conservative officeholders are using those three dirty words. Full Story
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Credit: Bill Jacobus -
Four UT System Regents Call for Special Meeting
Amid heightened tensions with state lawmakers, four University of Texas System regents have called for a special meeting of their board, likely to be held this week. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Medicaid Expansion, the Budget and CPRIT
This week in the Newsreel: Gov. Rick Perry says no again to Medicaid expansion, the Texas House starts debate on a new state budget and the Senate approves CPRIT reform legislation. Full Story
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The Playlist: We Can Work It Out
This week's news-inspired playlist is entirely dedicated to Thursday's budget debate in the Texas House. To set the stage, we begin with Stevie Wonder singing "We Can Work It Out." Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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