The Brief: May 8, 2015
San Antonio voters go to the polls on Saturday with the smart money on the election going an extra round. Full Story
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![San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas.]()
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Abbott's Pre-K Bill Easily Passes Texas Senate
A key early education bill backed by Gov. Greg Abbott setting up grants to encourage higher quality pre-kindergarten programs has now cleared both chambers of the Legislature. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Pre-K Bill Faces Last Hurdle in Senate Vote
After surviving Tea Party-backed opposition in the House, the early education bill that Gov. Greg Abbott has called his top priority this session could face its final test in the Texas Senate as early as Thursday. Full Story
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![Pre-kindergarten students at the Dallas Independent School District's Cesar Chavez Learning Center.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
The Brief: May 7, 2015
The Legislature's two chambers are still not on the same page when it comes to figuring out how to extend tax relief. The prognosis on whether they find room to compromise varies as well. Full Story
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Government Contract Disclosure Bill Advances
A bill that would require Texas elected officials to reveal contracts they have with governmental entities — one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s major priorities this year — was overwhelmingly approved by the Texas House on Wednesday. Full Story
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![Rep. Giovanni Capriglione R-Soutlake waits to testify during a March 14th House Homeland Security & Public Safety committee hearing.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Fierce War Not Meant to Turn Violent
The sharper the speech — the harder it pokes at something dear to someone else — the greater the chance of a strong reaction. Full Story
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![The Curtis Culwell Convention Center in Garland, Texas.]()
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The Brief: May 5, 2015
Early voting in the San Antonio mayoral election wraps up today ahead of Election Day on Saturday. And the gloves have come off in the increasingly rough-and-tumble election. Full Story
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![State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte and state Rep. Mike Villarreal — both Democrats from San Antonio — will face-off in the race to become the city's next mayor.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Defends Decision to Have State Guard Monitor Jade Helm 15
Gov. Greg Abbott defended his decision to have the Texas State Guard monitor a military training exercise known as Jade Helm 15. He said his office is simply looking to serve as a "communication facilitator" between the military and concerned citizens. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the annual Texas State Prayer Breakfast on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: May 4, 2015
Texas officials continue to investigate an incident Sunday night in Garland where two men shot a security guard outside a contest featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Police returned fire, killing the two men. Full Story
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![Austin Police Officer Cory Ehrler monitors the entrance to Ridgetop Elementary School after classes start on the Monday following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As the 83rd legislative session approaches, Texas lawmakers are considering making firearms more available to teachers and other school personnel.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
Abbott: Shooting in Garland Strikes at Heart of First Amendment
Texas' top elected officials on Monday offered an absolute defense of free speech in the wake of a Garland shooting that left two gunmen dead outside a contest featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Playlist: Conspiracy Theory
Some folks in a small town in Central Texas had a strong reaction to a large-scale military exercise on U.S. soil called “Jade Helm 15,” so we start this week’s playlist of the news with Steve Earle‘s “Conspiracy Theory.” Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by John Jordan -
Video: Castro on Abbott and Pre-K
At our 5/1 conversation, Julián Castro, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, explained why he doesn't like Gov. Greg Abbott's plan for pre-K. Full Story
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Analysis: Does "Voucher" Label Fit the Bill?
You can slow down or even kill a piece of legislation with a single word or phrase, if it's poisonous enough. Full Story
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The Brief: May 1, 2015
The decision earlier this week by Gov. Greg Abbott to get involved in the controversy over a planned military exercise taking place across several Southwestern states continues to draw comment. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters at Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Jade Helm 15: The Black Helicopters Are Coming. Well, Maybe Not.
Gov. Greg Abbott only made matters worse by wading into long-simmering paranoia over a military training exercise scheduled to begin this summer in Texas. He has asked the State Guard to keep an eye on the operation, a fascination of conspiracy theorists. Full Story
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Abbott's Pre-K Bill Headed to Full Senate
The bill that helped spark last week's blowup between the state's top officials is suddenly moving in the Senate, despite fierce opposition from Tea Party conservatives. Full Story
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![TPPF economist Dr. Arthur Laffer and Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, at the 2015 Policy Orientation session on School Choice on Jan. 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: April 30, 2015
A gathering of Hispanic evangelicals in Houston on Wednesday attracted two Republicans eyeing a run for the White House who repeated positions on immigration that have gotten them in hot water with party conservatives. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: How Private Opinions Can Diverge From Public Votes
Tax cuts and politics ethics legislation have this in common: When lawmakers have to vote in public view, they're often forced to set aside their private opinions. Full Story
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The Brief: April 29, 2015
Gone are accusations of gamesmanship as lawmakers get to work finding common ground on the session's border security bill. Full Story
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![Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, speaks his concerns about law enforcement agencies working together on the border surge during a discussion at the Legislative Budget Board meeting on Dec. 1, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Strengthens and Passes Ethics Bill
The Senate voted in often odd coalitions to reveal more about the money members make, prohibit themselves from immediately becoming lobbyists, post their financial statements online and even subject themselves and other elected officials to drug testing. Full Story
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![State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, at a Tribune event on Dec. 11, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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