The Brief: March 17, 2014
The rightward tilt of the Texas Senate has one of its more hallowed traditions — the two-thirds rule — in danger of going the way of the dodo. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gubernatorial Hopeful's Wife Might Make History
Cecilia Abbott has been a regular at her husband's side as he travels across the state for his campaign for governor. She could become the first Latina to be the first lady of Texas. Full Story
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![Cecelia Abbott hugs her husband, Attorney General Greg Abbott after he announces his plans to run for governor of Texas during a campaign event at LaVillita in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: For Dewhurst, This is All Too Familiar
A runoff against a populist conservative is nothing new for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. But he has to figure out how to win one. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick (Right), R-Houston, listens to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst during the 83rd legislative session on Jan. 9, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Arming U.S. Customs Agents in Mexico Stalling Bilateral Trade Agreement
A little-known customs agreement between the United States and Mexico removes a major hurdle in how goods move across the border and could be an economic boon to South Texas. Full Story
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![New Federal Inspection Station encompassing Mexican and US Customs at Laredo International Airport, Tuesday, March 11, 2014.]()
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The Brief: March 14, 2014
The Dallas Morning News has obtained an email that seemed to reference attempts by UT System Regent Wallace Hall to undermine UT Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. Full Story
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![UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa announces his resignation on Feb. 10, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott, Davis Add More Fuel to Ethics Debate
As they put their focus squarely on the November general election, Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Sen. Wendy Davis are pushing the issue of potential conflicts of interest for officeholders into a brighter political spotlight. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott, then a candidate for governor and now the governor-elect, spoke at a NE Tarrant Tea Party meeting at Concordia Lutheran Church in Bedford on Nov. 12, 2013. State Sen. Wendy Davis, who was also running for governor, spoke to veterans at Luby's in Forest Hill the day before.]()
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The Polling Center: Does the Tea Party Really Want to Limit Government?
It might be tempting to romanticize the Tea Party as something distinct from the Republican Party, but poll data suggests that Tea Party voters would support using government power to enact unquestionably conservative policies. Full Story
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![Pictured are (clockwise, from top left) Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Dan Patrick, state Rep. Dan Branch and state Sen. Ken Paxton.]()
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Analysis: A Kink in the Democrats' Chain
Texas Democratic leaders tried to keep Kinky Friedman off of their November ticket, for fear voters will not take him seriously. But if he wins a runoff for agriculture commissioner in May, he might offer them their best odds for a win. Full Story
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![Kinky Friedman is shown at his Medina ranch on Dec. 12, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: March 13, 2014
If the University of Texas System regents tap Gov. Rick Perry's reported favorite, Kyle Janek, as their next chancellor, they won't get pushback from the president of the system's flagship campus. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Groups Welcome Release of CBP's Use-of-Force Policy as a First Step
Some Texas-based advocacy groups say the release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s use-of-force policy for Border Patrol agents is a positive step for transparency. But they add that more could be done. Full Story
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Video: Patterson, Staples Reflect on Lt. Gov. Bids
A week after the primary election, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples reflect on their failed bids for lieutenant governor, weigh in on the May runoff and talk about what's next for them. Full Story
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Time Lag Between Primaries and Runoffs Could Shape Races
Will primary night results carry into runoffs? Not necessarily, political observers say. A recent change in election law has prompted Texas to extend the time between primaries and runoffs. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: March 12, 2014
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Dante Chinni of the American Communities Project at American University makes the argument that if Texas flips blue, it could do so in a hurry. And not just because of the state's growing Hispanic population. Full Story
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![Hispanic Growth Rate by Texas House District]()
Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles -
Inside Intelligence: About Those Primary Runoffs...
For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about runoffs for congressional and state Senate seats. Full Story
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Patterson, Staples Weigh In on Lt. Gov. Runoff
Jerry Patterson and Todd Staples offered differing takes on Tuesday on how the May runoff between their former lieutenant governor primary opponents — Dan Patrick and incumbent David Dewhurst — might turn out. Full Story
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![State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, speaks to supporters in Houston after primary election results indicate he is heading into a runoff with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.]()
Credit: Daniel Kramer -
Davis, Abbott Spar Over Equal Pay, Ethics
With the Texas governor's race in full general election mode, Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis and her Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, sparred on Tuesday over fair pay for women and ethics. Full Story
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![Gubernatorial candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis are shown on primary night on March 4, 2014.]()
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AG's Opinion Sought on Cities' Plastic Bag Bans
A letter from a state lawmaker asks the attorney general's office to give an opinion on whether Texas cities' bans on plastic bags are in compliance with the state’s health and safety laws. Full Story
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The Brief: March 11, 2014
Ted Cruz's positioning for the next stage of his political career was the common thread in Monday's news coverage of Texas' junior senator. Full Story
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![During a stop at the Spindletop Museum in Beaumont, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz pitched his energy policy bill, which he calls the American Energy Renaissance Act.]()
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Analysis: Primary Totals a Reminder of a Past Vote
Wendy Davis isn't the first Democratic candidate for governor to lose a fifth of her primary vote, and GOP crowing about the size of its own electorate hides the overall unpopularity of voting in primary elections. Full Story
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Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: March 10, 2014
The Tea Party's big moment last week in the GOP party primaries already is creating anticipation of a more libertarian tilt to next year's legislative session. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson
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