The Brief: Feb. 6, 2015
Rick Perry had some choice words in an interview Thursday with the Tribune and the Washington Post on what separates him from Ted Cruz. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz]()
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Flores Doesn't See New Post as a Springboard
As the new chairman of an influential GOP caucus, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores could position himself for a seat at the U.S. House's leadership table. But in an interview with the Tribune, the Bryan Republican talked more about term limits than leadership posts. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, in his House office in Washington, D.C.]()
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Video: Rick Perry Talks ISIS, Vaccinations and 2016
In an interview with The Texas Tribune and The Washington Post, former Gov. Rick Perry talks about ISIS, vaccinations and 2016. Full Story
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Asked About Cruz, Perry Trumpets His Own Experience
Asked about what separates him from potential presidential rival Ted Cruz, former Gov. Rick Perry talked about how executive experience would be a key selling point. Perry touched on several other issues in an interview with the Tribune and The Washington Post. 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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In Austin, Huckabee Blasts Perry Indictment
Besides being potential rivals in the 2016 presidential race, Mike Huckabee and Rick Perry have butted heads in past races. But Huckabee heaped praise on Perry on Thursday and blasted the indictment against the Texas governor. Full Story
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![Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit at the Hoyt Sherman Place theater in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.]()
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Perry to Name 80-Plus Major Donors to Advisory Board
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday will announce that he has recruited more than 80 major donors, including some of the biggest bundlers in Republican politics, to aid his efforts as he prepares for a likely 2016 presidential campaign. Full Story
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![Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines on Jan. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Rebecca Miller -
The Brief: Feb. 5, 2015
House Speaker Joe Straus leaned toward the familiar in filling open spots at the top of the chamber's top-tier committees. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, in the Texas House of Representatives, Feb. 8, 2011.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senator Talks of "Lost Confidence" in Health Agency Watchdog
At the Senate Health and Human Services Committee's first meeting of the legislative session, Chairman Charles Schwertner shared some tough criticism of the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General. Full Story
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![Sen. Charles Schwertner R-Georgetown, at a February Texas Tribune event.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Bills Require Warnings for Immigrants About Pleas
Texas doesn't require magistrate judges to tell immigrants how their pleas on misdemeanor charges might affect their immigration status. Legislation that would change that failed two years ago, but the sponsors are back for another try. Full Story
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Echoes of Fights Past in Health Consolidation
Twelve years after a major mash-up of state health agencies, the Sunset Commission and several lawmakers say it's time to finish the job and merge the remaining five systems into one. Some veteran Capitol observers say they're feeling déjà vu. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wraps up the Sunset Advisory Commission hearing on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Feb. 4, 2015
The ability of Austin tech firm 21CT to secure a $20 million Medicaid fraud software contract through a no-bid program run by the state's Department of Information Resources drew intense scrutiny from Senate budget writers on Tuesday. Full Story
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![This is a photo of one of two $2800 chairs ordered by Jack Stick's office when he was deputy inspector general. The chairs which resemble the ones used in the Texas Legislature committee hearing rooms, were discovered after the resignations of Stick, and Doug Wilson, inspector general.]()
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Obama Recruits Texans to Help Sell Immigration Plan
Texas lawmakers may be leading the charge to derail President Obama’s executive action on immigration. But the White House wants it known: Not everyone in the Lone Star State wants to scrap the policy. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Feb. 3, 2015
The state representative at the center of a controversy over treatment of visitors to the Capitol for Texas Muslim Capitol Day last week told the Tribune on Monday that she didn't expect her Facebook post to raise such a ruckus. Full Story
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![Rep. Molly White R-Belton in her Capitol office on February 2nd, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Rep. White Explains Her Views on Muslims
In an interview with the Tribune, state Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, said she didn't intend to ignite controversy with her comments last week about Muslims, but stood by her suspicions of the religion. Full Story
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![Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, in her Capitol office.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Feb. 2, 2015
The weekend saw more lengthy stories on problems in the way the state contracts out services. Full Story
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Inside Texas Politics: Rand Paul's Recent Moves
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey talk about U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who's showing all the signs that he's gearing up for a presidential run. Full Story
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![Tribune executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on Feb. 1, 2015.]()
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Rand Paul is Making His Play for Texas
If Rand Paul runs for president — and he's widely expected to — don't expect a campaign that mirrors those of his father. During a weekend visit to North Texas, where he spoke at a pair of GOP events, Paul talked about building a broad coalition. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Rand Paul delivers the keynote speech at the Dallas County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner on Jan. 30, 2015.]()
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The Playlist: Thursday
There was no shortage of news coming out of the Capitol this week, but last Thursday was so singular that we built our entire playlist around the events of that day. Kicking things off: Wes Montgomery’s cover of “A Day In The Life” by The Beatles. Full Story
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In State Contracting, Failure is an Option
Texas's tendency to privatize state services has led to contracting scandals erupting regularly. But a history of cost overruns or bad performance hardly bars a company from winning future jobs. Full Story
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Lawmakers Want to Expand Screening for Illegal Workers
Just before leaving office, Rick Perry ordered state agencies to start using E-Verify, the federal employment verification system, to make sure job applicants can legally work. But some lawmakers say that mandate isn't enough. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman