The Brief: Jan. 8, 2014
The Tribune's Morgan Smith has a must-read piece on what's next for the education reform group funded by tort reform champions that left a big imprint on policy debates during last year's legislative session. Full Story
The latest Greg Abbott news from The Texas Tribune.
The Tribune's Morgan Smith has a must-read piece on what's next for the education reform group funded by tort reform champions that left a big imprint on policy debates during last year's legislative session. Full Story
The challenge to Texas' law placing further restrictions on abortion facilities took another step toward a widely expected hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court with oral arguments before a three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit in New Orleans. Full Story
Wendy Davis looked to go on the attack last week on the issue of payday lenders, but some misread reports have her campaign dealing instead with "fuzzy math" and "'oops' moment" headlines. Full Story
Here's a novel strategy for state officials looking to avoid answering questions from the public: When in doubt, blame the Sugar Bowl. Full Story
Your evening reading: future of Perry's economic development fund under a successor is unclear; that's right, more and more Texans are not from the U.S.; prognosis is good on former first lady Barbara Bush Full Story
The political conversation is wasting no time in 2014 pivoting to what is expected to be the biggest story of the year — the November clash between Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis. Full Story
Welcome to the marquee political contest this year in Texas, where the gubernatorial primaries are all but decided and both candidates are looking toward a November showdown with knives drawn. Full Story
Both Democratic and Republican candidates for statewide office in 2014 are pledging to increase resources for the cash-strapped Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
Dreams of Texas playing a pivotal role in choosing the next GOP presidential nominee are running thorugh state Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri's head. Full Story
Health care navigators are back on the agenda with a hearing Friday morning in Austin on new proposed state rules by the state's insurance department. Full Story
In a wide ranging interview with The Texas Tribune's Jay Root, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz refused to say whom he favored in the primary contest between John Cornyn and Steve Stockman, said he's working on renouncing his Canadian citizenship and had little to say about a potential run for the White House in 2016. Full Story
Your evening reading: Hall declines to testify in impeachment investigation; photos of Stockman's shuttered campaign office and they are grimy; Davis tops Google trending list Full Story
Your evening reading: when private companies come in to manage schools, transparency takes a hit; judge rules NSA phone program likely unconstitutional; state GOP chairman calls Texas "somewhat competitive" Full Story
Hey, Texplainer: Could Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott choose to not defend a law? What are the state attorney general’s responsibilities when it comes to lawsuits against Texas? Full Story
Bill Powers' future as University of Texas at Austin president could be put to a vote at a Thursday meeting of the UT System's Board of Regents. Full Story
Texas gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott held back from taking a position on private school vouchers or state education funding during a Wednesday appearance at a San Antonio charter school. Full Story
Your evening reading: Texans are No. 1 in purchasing health plans through the online insurance marketplace; the petition to remove the Travis County DA is denied; Tea Party blowback builds against Stockman Full Story
Emphasizing her support for public schools could be a path to a competitive gubernatorial race for Democrat Wendy Davis. But with an education policy rollout planned of his own, Republican Greg Abbott has made clear he is not ready to let her dominate the issue. Full Story
Your evening reading: UT regents will discuss Bill Powers in closed-door session; Democrats claim a statewide officer via party switch; Cruz will attend Mandela memorial service Full Story
Efforts to ban double dipping by longtime politicians went nowhere in the last legislative session. That could change now that the two leading candidates for governor have expressed support for banning the controversial practice. Full Story