The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Railroad Commission Chairman and Texas attorney general candidate Barry Smitherman released a new campaign video in which he promises to protect Texans against the "job-killing policies" of the Obama administration and the EPA. Full Story
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If Gov. Rick Perry makes a second bid for the White House in 2016, there is mounting speculation that he may have some home-state competition for the Republican nomination from a certain junior senator. Full Story
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In an interview with Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune, state Sen. Wendy Davis talks about her June 25 filibuster and the factors she's taking into consideration as she weighs a run for either re-election or governor. Full Story
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Obamacare — how Texas should implement it and how opponents in Washington should fight it — was a hot topic in Austin on Thursday, and the views expressed were not necessarily the most predictable. Full Story
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During a visit to Austin on Thursday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed the federal government's plans for expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Sebelius open to "uniquely Texan" approach to health reform; Abbott declines to embrace Cruz's temporary government shutdown idea; Paul's former presidential campaign accused of bribery Full Story
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With the biggest war chest in the state, Attorney General Greg Abbott will be hard to beat in his campaign for governor. His campaign has spent more in the first half of this year than it did in 2012. Where is the money going? Full Story
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With the third special legislative session complete, some lawmakers are already beefing up for the political battles that lie ahead in the 2014 election cycle. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Dewhurst unveils his re-election team; elected officials discuss border policies crafted by out-of-touch leaders in Washington; judge halts trial in Fort Hood shooting Full Story
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The notion that Texas Republicans make up two of the three parties in the Texas House is underscored by the latest round of endorsements in the race for the party's nomination to be the next attorney general. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst unveiled a campaign team heavy on national grassroots experience as he officially announced his bid for re-election Wednesday. Full Story
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Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to zero out state financing for the Travis County Public Integrity Unit, the prosecutorial team will live on. Full Story
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State Rep. Dan Branch, who is running for Texas attorney general, filed an amicus brief Tuesday to defend a state law that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Full Story
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Your evening reading: A new twist in the tension between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas System; new restriction on proxy marriages; a successful heart surgery for a former president Full Story
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Remarks Sen. Wendy Davis made Monday are fueling speculation that she's going to run for governor, giving Democrats renewed hope in GOP-ruled Texas. But breaking a 20-year losing streak won't be easy. Full Story
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For transportation funding, it turns out that the third time was, indeed, the charm. Full Story
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Your evening reading: Wendy Davis weighs her two — and only two — options; Ballot order of constitutional amendments set for November; Department of Public Safety to release "poopgate" information Full Story
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State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, said Monday she'll either run for re-election or for Texas governor, and that she's working hard to make her decision. Full Story
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The new water bill has raised the profile of the Texas Water Development Board, which loans money for water projects and could be a powerful player in shaping water policy in the coming decades. Full Story
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The House and Senate will get back to business at the Texas Capitol this afternoon, attempting to tackle transportation funding in yet a third special session. Full Story
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