Rep. White Makes Waves, but She's Not the First
State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, is not the first Texas lawmaker to make comments offensive to the Muslim community. Full Story
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![Over shouts of protesters, school kids led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance during Texas Muslim Capitol Day on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
School Choice Supporters Rally at Capitol
UPDATED: State Sen. Donna Campbell and Land Commissioner George P. Bush were among the speakers who addressed a gathering of school choice supporters Friday just outside the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![A school choice rally, part of National School Choice Week, drew advocates to the Texas Capitol in Austin on Jan. 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Top House Lawmaker's Daughter to Step Down as Lobbyist
House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock announced Friday that his daughter would be stepping down from her role as a lobbyist for education issues for the upcoming legislative session. Full Story
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![Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock R-Killeen during a public education committee hearing on February 19th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott: "Civil Discourse" Needed on Religious Freedom
A day after state Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, came under fire for instructing staff to ask Muslim visitors to her office to pledge their allegiance to the U.S., Gov. Greg Abbott called for civil discussions "so that everyone has the opportunity to weigh in on their beliefs." Full Story
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![Students take the Pledge of Allegiance as protesters shout on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Friday Night Football Returns to Water Politics
Two years ago, the drought prompted a rare outbreak of teamwork as lawmakers from both parties and most corners of Texas together crafted a $2 billion fund to provide more water. This session, though, it looks like we're going back to good old-fashioned water rivalries. Full Story
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![Texas Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 4, which lays the foundation for Texas' future water needs. He is joined by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay on May 28, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Roundup: Perry, Guns and Protests at Muslim Event
In the Roundup: Rick Perry comments on the rejection of his bid to dismiss criminal charges, there was a moment of uncertainty surrounding open carry legislation in the Senate, and Texas Muslim Capitol Day draws loud protests. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 30, 2015
In a week where the news was driven to a large degree by rallies on the Capitol grounds — from open carry activists to anti-Muslim protesters — it's perhaps fitting that the week closes with another one. Full Story
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![A look at the Texas Capitol before the inaugural festivities begin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Slideshow: Scenes From Texas Muslim Capitol Day
This year's Texas Muslim Capitol Day was marred by an inflammatory Facebook post from freshman state Rep. Molly White and a small but disruptive group of protesters. Full Story
![Students take the Pledge of Allegiance as protesters shout on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Rand Paul Taps Texas GOP Chairman as Adviser
Rand Paul will add Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri as an adviser, the senator's team confirmed Thursday. Full Story
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![Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul signs a delegate's shirt at the State Republican Convention in Fort Worth on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Public Integrity Unit Will Not Prosecute AG Paxton
New Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was found in 2014 to have violated the Texas Securities Act, will not be prosecuted by the state's office that investigates public corruption, officials said Thursday. Full Story
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![Senator Ken Paxton speaks to supporters in Plano on Thursday, August 1, 2013, to announcement his campaign for Attorney General.]()
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Rep. White to Staff: Ask Muslim Visitors to Pledge Allegiance to U.S.
UPDATED: A Muslim group at the Capitol has asked Speaker Joe Straus whether state Rep. Molly White violated ethics rules by instructing her staff to ask Muslim visitors to her office to declare their allegiance to the U.S. Full Story
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Abbott: Replace Business Incentive With University Fund
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to eliminate an incentive program for technology startups in favor of a new program that would make payments to universities that recruit prestigious faculty. Full Story
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![Gov.-elect Greg Abbott gives a speech at a Texas Public Policy Foundation conference on Jan. 8, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Perry Calls Indictment "Badge of Honor" on Fox News
On Fox News on Wednesday, Rick Perry told host Sean Hannity that he's been preparing to run for president since late 2012. "So when I stand on the stage and debate this next time, you're going to see a person who is very, very well prepared," he said. Full Story
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The Brief: Jan. 29, 2015
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gave the green light Wednesday on a push for open carry legislation in the Senate, a day after he indicated in a Texas Tribune interview that the votes weren't there for passage. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, with State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, sponsor of the resolution that changed Senate voting rules on Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Open Carry Survives Despite Its Supporters
The session has barely begun, and the prospect of a new law allowing Texans to openly carry handguns first appeared to be inevitable, then dead, then alive again. Oddly, it's the idea's supporters who keep scrambling its political fate. Full Story
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![Activists who support a legislative proposal that would lift the state's handgun licensing requirements stand outside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Lawmakers Send an Ethics Message, Intentional or Not
Some of the Legislature's early actions indicate some ambivalence about the agencies and people who enforce state ethics laws. Full Story
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Tesla Motors, Car Dealers Clash Over Franchise Law
Monopolies are bad for consumers, both sides fighting over whether Tesla Motors should be allowed to sell its cars directly to Texans agreed Wednesday. But monopoly is in the eye of the beholder. Full Story
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![Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
"I'm Poncho" Stickers Popular on Both Sides of Aisle
After state Rep. Poncho Nevárez kicked gun advocates out of his Capitol office, he received death threats. On Wednesday, Texas House members wore "I'm Poncho" stickers to show support for Nevárez. Full Story
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![State Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, wearing an "I'm Poncho" sticker on Jan. 28, 2015 after fellow Rep. Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, was the target of threats and racial slurs from some gun advocates.]()
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Senate Renews Effort to Keep Funds From Planned Parenthood
Four years after a legislative effort to keep Planned Parenthood from receiving state dollars for health care for low-income women, the Texas Senate is back at it — this time over funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings. Full Story
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Abbott: State Agencies Must Make Contracting Changes
In the wake of a contracting scandal at Texas' top health agency, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent a letter to the heads of all state agencies outlining reforms to the bidding and procurement processes. Full Story
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![Incoming Gov.Greg Abbott speaks at TPPF's Policy Orientation session on Jan. 8th, 2015]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich