House Democrats Push Minimum Wage Hike
A handful of Democrats on Tuesday asked the House Business and Industry Committee to support a package of bills that would increase the minimum wage in Texas. Full Story
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Asked About In-State Tuition Law, Perry Defers to Legislators
Former Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday deferred to state lawmakers on whether they want to repeal Texas' in-state tuition law, a measure he signed into law in 2001 and has defended to varying degrees ever since. Full Story
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![Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a video interview in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 5, 2015.]()
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Bid for Rainy Day Fund Changes Moves Forward
The Texas House on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a constitutional election over whether to send surplus dollars from the Rainy Day Fund into a new account to pay down state debt. Full Story
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![House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Rand Paul Announces Presidential Run
Rand Paul, the maverick first-term senator and Texas native who rode a tea party wave from a Kentucky ophthalmology practice to Congress, on Tuesday formally announced a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the opening of his Austin office at downtown startup incubator incubator Capital Factory on March 16, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Uncertainty Haunts Commissioner Kyle Janek
Two reports have criticized Health Commissioner Kyle Janek’s leadership. Three state lawmakers have called for his resignation. And a contract awarded to a vendor on his watch is under investigation. What's a new governor to do? Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
GOP Takes First Step to End In-State Tuition for Undocumented
After a marathon hearing that stretched well into Tuesday morning, a Senate subcommittee approved Sen. Donna Campbell's bill to repeal Texas law that allows some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Full Story
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![Dreamer Cristina Lizeth Urdiales was born in Monterrey, Mexico and brought to the US at the age of 5, listens during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: A Conversation with Ayotte and Cornyn
Full video of my 4/2 conversation with United States Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, and John Cornyn, R-Texas. Full Story
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Rand Paul Keeping a Close Eye on Texas
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is readying his presidential campaign — and his political play for the Lone Star State. Full Story
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![Sen. Rand Paul speaks to supporter after briefly addressing public at the opening of his new office at the downtown Austin, Texas incubator Capital Factory on March 16th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
At Citadel, Perry Fuses Foreign Policy With Biography
Former Gov. Rick Perry visited South Carolina's military college on Monday in a bid to show that his military background undergirds his foreign policy. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry poses with cadets after delivering a foreign policy speech at The Citadel, South Carolina's military college, earlier this year.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
Senate Panel Advances Sanctuary Cities Bill
A bill banning so-called sanctuary cities in Texas – the common term for local entities that do not enforce immigration laws — advanced out of a Senate subcommittee on Monday. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Perry R-Lubbock answers questions regarding his bill SB #185 which relates to to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration during Senate Subcommittee on border security on March 16th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
GOP Gun Measures Could Backfire With Minorities
Republican lawmakers backing open carry and guns on campus are heading in the wrong direction for many black and Hispanic Texans who would prefer stricter gun laws, polling shows. It's another disconnect with minorities the GOP might regret. Full Story
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![Gun rights supporters participate in an open carry march during South by Southwest led by the Austin chapter of Come and Take It on March 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Erika Rich -
"Bathroom Bills" Pit Transgender Texans Against the GOP
A set of bills from conservative lawmakers would make it illegal for people to use the bathroom other than the one designated for their gender assigned at birth. Members of the transgender community say the legislation specifically targets them and even places a bounty on their heads. Full Story
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![Caomhán Ó Raghallaigh, a transgender advocate, visits with Sarah Byers, left, in the Capitol office of Sen. Kirk Watson, right.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Cruz Won't Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
In a brief statement, the school said it was notified that Sen. Ted Cruz is "regrettably unable to join us" at the May event. No reason was given. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
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Perry Keeping Texas Donor Network Alive
The Opportunity and Freedom PAC, a group set up by Rick Perry's advisers to support his candidacy, raised more than $1 million this week in Texas, according to two Republicans with knowledge of the fundraising activity. Full Story
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![Former Texas Governor Rick Perry campaigns at a Pizza Ranch in Indianola, Iowa.]()
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Houston, Dallas Would Be Largest Cities to Allow Open Carry
A Tribune analysis of gun laws nationwide shows passing "open carry" legislation would make Texas an outlier among states with large urban populations. Many of the nation's biggest cities are located in states that prohibit it. Full Story
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The Tribune's Local Debt Explorer Gets an Update
Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held by your city, county and school district. The data is collected by the Texas Bond Review Board and reflects each entity’s debt load as of August 2014. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Bernie Sanders
Full video of my 4/2 conversation with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, who is contemplating a run for president in 2016. Full Story
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HD-124 Special Election Sets Record for Low Voter Turnout
Tuesday's special election to replace former state Rep. José Menéndez appears to have set a record low for voter turnout in races of its kind. Full Story
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![A man casts his ballot in a 2014 election.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz Courts Young Voters in Iowa
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz this week began his first swing through Iowa as a declared presidential candidate. He started out at a college in Sioux City, hoping to attract young people to his fledgling campaign. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at a Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative conference on Jan. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Will Hurd Rakes in Big Bucks in First Quarter
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd raised over $500,000 in his first quarter in Congress. The figure comes hours after the man Hurd ousted last November, Democrat Pete Gallego, announced he would challenge Hurd to a rematch. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, at a Texas Tribune event on Dec. 18, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich