The Brief: March 2, 2015
The Tribune's Jay Root and Neena Satija filed a story over the weekend on the problem of deferred maintenance at state government buildings in multiple agencies. It makes for some grim reading. Full Story
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![The Texas School for the Deaf in Austin.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez, KUT News -
The Top GOP Donors and Bundlers in Texas
Iowa and New Hampshire have the first presidential nominating contests, but there’s a key Republican primary fight going on in Texas: the money chase. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at GOP donors and bundlers in high demand. Full Story
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The Playlist: The Race is On
The first University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll of 2015 had good news for likely White House hopefuls Scott Walker and Hillary Clinton — so we’re kicking off this week’s playlist with George Jones singing “The Race Is On." Full Story
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Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll; Cruz Finishes Third
Sen. Rand Paul won his third consecutive Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll Saturday, dashing the hopes of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who came in third, and former Gov. Rick Perry, who placed eleventh. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Rand Paul delivers the keynote speech at the Dallas GOP "Reagan Day" event on Friday, January 30, 2015.]()
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Homeland Security Funded for One More Week
In a Friday night scramble with the clock running down, Congress managed to pass a stopgap measure funding the Department of Homeland Security for seven more days. The search for a more permanent solution continues. Full Story
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![U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at a processing facility in Brownsville on June 18, 2014.]()
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Dewhurst Adviser Gets 7 Years for Embezzling Millions
Buddy Barfield, once an adviser to former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, was sentenced Friday to 87 months in prison for embezzling millions of dollars from Dewhurst’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. Full Story
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![Former David Dewhurst consultant Buddy Barfield walks to Austin federal court in October, 2014, to plead guilty to embezzling almost $2 million in campaign funds.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Makes His Case to National Conservatives
Rick Perry spoke at the CPAC conference on Friday morning, presenting the former governor a chance to reset the table before the conservative base and the national press after his disastrous 2012 bid. Full Story
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![Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines on Jan. 24, 2015.]()
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The Brief: Feb. 27, 2015
Voters are evenly split on whether the state should offer in-state tuition rates for undocumented immigrants, but that outer parity covers some pronounced polarization on the issue, according to the latest UT/TT Poll. Full Story
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To Conservatives, Cruz Touts His Fights With Fellow Republicans
At CPAC, the annual meeting of conservative firebrands, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday delivered a presidential pitch that highlighted his willingness to take on fellow Republicans in the name of the conservative cause. Full Story
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Credit: Abby Livingston -
Revamped Cancer Agency Faces New Questions
A reinvented Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas says its darkest hour has passed, but the agency faces new conservative lawmakers unconvinced more money should be devoted to the agency. Full Story
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Conservative Lawmakers Target United Nations
In the latest effort by conservatives to fight what they see as overreach by the United Nations, two Texas Republican lawmakers have filed legislation aimed at a nonbinding plan for sustainable development that the United States and more than 100 other countries signed in 1992. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
UT/TT Poll: The Least Popular Government
Voters like the state government slightly better than their local government — and a lot better than the federal government, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The Brief: Feb. 26, 2015
Senate budget writers directed their displeasure at the Texas Racing Commission during a contentious hearing on Wednesday in which the head of the finance committee declared herself "livid." Full Story
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Lawmakers Push "Right to Try" Experimental Drugs
It’s kind of like Dallas Buyers Club: A group of sick Texans is seeking to gain access to experimental drugs — only this time, a flurry of state lawmakers is rushing to help them. In Austin, the movement hits a personal chord. Full Story
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![Capitol lobbyist Andrea Sloan waged a public battle with ovarian cancer, seeking federal permission to try an experimental treatment in 2013. She died Jan. 1, 2014.]()
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The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015
Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax. Full Story
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Lobby Firm Helped Draft GOP Letter to Racing Commission
State Sen. Joan Huffman acknowledges that a lobby firm with ties to casino interests helped her draft a GOP caucus letter blasting a proposal to allow expanded gambling at horse tracks. Now a major proponent of the tracks is crying foul. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
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Despite Low Prices, Texas Oil Group Stays Optimistic
Texas’ oil and gas industry is touting its record-breaking 2014 contributions to state and local government coffers, an effort to stay positive amid 2015's far gloomier revenue outlook. Full Story
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Credit: Esteban Monclova for The Texas Tribune -
After 24 Years, Van de Putte Bids Farewell to the Lege
After 24 years in the Legislature and a failed campaign for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte bid an emotional farewell to her colleagues on Tuesday. She now faces a crowded field in the race to be San Antonio mayor. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte on February 24th, 2015, her last day as Texas Senator]()
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Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced a slate of bills he says will provide lasting tax relief to businesses and homeowners in Texas — to the tune of $4.6 billion. But there are signs he could face some opposition within his own party. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
John Ratcliffe: The TT Interview
The new Texas congressman on ousting the dean of his home state's delegation, making friends in Washington and his insistence that he won't "fit into a particular box." Full Story
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![John Ratcliffe, Republican candidate for Texas' 4th U.S. Congressional District speaks in Fort Worth on June 5, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune