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datetime="2015-04-09T12:48:04.780888">Thursday, April 9, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <header class="alt_header"> <h1> <span><a class="plain" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/">Tribpedia</a>:</span> <a class="plain" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a> </h1> </header> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-12"> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=83" class="page">83</a></li><li><a href="?page=84" class="page">84</a></li><li><a href="?page=85" class="page">85</a></li><li><a href="?page=86" class="page">86</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="grid"> <article> <div class="cell w-12 content"> <p><p>We’re merged the convenience of the email blast and the need-to-know nature of the Brief into a single daily missive, delivered from newsletters editor John Reynolds’ fingertips directly to your inbox first thing every morning.</p> <p>The Brief will still show up on our website — once a day, early in the morning. But if you’re the type who reaches ...</p></p> <a class="permalink" href="about/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Read More</a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-12"> <article class=" "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/brief/">The Brief: New Bill Would Target Bullet Train Land Acquisition</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 9 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-09 05:59"> April 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/brief/comments/"><span class="value">21</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/HighSpeed-Train_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/HighSpeed-Train_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Republicans leery of granting more eminent domain authority acted to fast-track to nowhere a proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Money-Capitol-3d-Budget_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Money-Capitol-3d-Budget_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/brief/">The Brief: Giving Them Tax Relief They Can Feel</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 8 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-08 05:59"> April 8, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/brief/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Lawmakers are talking about giving taxpayers billions in tax relief this session. But in a state with 27 million residents, it turns out that even $4.5 billion doesn't stretch as far as the politicians would like it to.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/06/UP9A6057_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Dreamer Jesus Trevino, waits his turn to testify during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/06/UP9A6057_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Dreamer Jesus Trevino, waits his turn to testify during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Dreamer Jesus Trevino, waits his turn to testify during the Senate committee hearing on April 6th, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/brief/">The Brief: Dream Act Supporters Talk Past Midnight</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-07 05:59"> April 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>A Senate subcommittee hearing legislation that would repeal the state's 2001 law offering in-state tuition to certain undocumented Texas high school graduates lasted well past the midnight hour as dozens of witnesses testified against the bill.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border086Bonnen_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, confers with State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, during a point of order called on House Bill 11 on March 18, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border086Bonnen_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, confers with State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, during a point of order called on House Bill 11 on March 18, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, confers with State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, during a point of order called on House Bill 11 on March 18, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/brief/">The Brief: The House Takes a Different Route on Tax Relief</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-06 05:59"> April 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/brief/comments/"><span class="value">9</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The House's chief tax writer is dropping some clues on how his chamber's approach to tax relief this session will differ from their counterparts in the Senate.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_4"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/23/UP9A0526_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek asks questions during the first public hearing of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 23, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/23/UP9A0526_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek asks questions during the first public hearing of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 23, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek asks questions during the first public hearing of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 23, 2014.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/brief/">The Brief: New Report Finds More Problems in 21CT Deal</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-03 05:59"> April 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>A state auditor's report that looked into the controversial no-bid fraud detection software contract awarded to the technology firm 21CT revealed "operational defects" in how the state's health and human services agency awards contracts.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_5"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/010709_hammon_bill_2_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/010709_hammon_bill_2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Bill Hammond is the CEO of the Texas Association of Business.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/brief/">The Brief: Blowback From Indiana Religious Freedom Law Felt in Texas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 2 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-02 05:59"> April 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/brief/comments/"><span class="value">13</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The blowback experienced by Indiana over its religious freedom law has <span>Texas' largest business organization</span> worried about efforts this session to update this state's law on the subject.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_6"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HBOne189_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HBOne189_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/brief/">The Brief: After 17-Plus Hours, the House Has a Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Apr 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-04-01 05:59"> April 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>It took more than 17 hours, but the House gave preliminary OK to a budget. Anticipated fights over vouchers and in-state tuition for undocumented students failed to materialize.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_7"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/7C2A1152_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. John Otto R-Dayton, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, during Tribune Conversation event on February 12th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/7C2A1152_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. John Otto R-Dayton, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, during Tribune Conversation event on February 12th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. John Otto R-Dayton, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, during Tribune Conversation event on February 12th, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/brief/">The Brief: Budget, Special Election Headline Busy Day in the Lege</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-31 05:59"> March 31, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>A busy day is on tap as the state's two-year budget comes up for debate on the floor of the Texas House and a special election takes place to fill the last vacancy in that chamber.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_8"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/16/Politics_and_Eggs_Cruz_NH_TTcrop_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attends a "Politics And Eggs" breakfast in Manchester, N.H. on March 16, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/16/Politics_and_Eggs_Cruz_NH_TTcrop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attends a "Politics And Eggs" breakfast in Manchester, N.H. on March 16, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Abby Livingston</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attends a "Politics And Eggs" breakfast in Manchester, N.H. on March 16, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/brief/">The Brief: Candidate Cruz Tours New Hampshire</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 30 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-30 05:59"> March 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The reviews are in for <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ted-cruz/">Ted Cruz</a>'s first campaign swing <span>this weekend </span>through New Hampshire, a key early presidential primary state.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_9"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/brief/">The Brief: Janek Confirms FBI Talked With HHS Employees</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 27 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-27 05:59"> March 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Agents with the FBI have spoken with Health and Human Services Commission about the troubled no-bid software contract with technology firm 21CT.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/27/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_10"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/brief/">The Brief: The Session's Voucher Wars Are About to Begin</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-26 05:59"> March 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/brief/comments/"><span class="value">21</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The first salvos in the legislative fight this session over school vouchers will be fired this morning as three bills </span><span>come up for consideration in committee.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_11"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/MedicaidMoney_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/MedicaidMoney_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/brief/">The Brief: Medicaid Bottom Line Gets Unexpected Boost From Obamacare</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-25 05:59"> March 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/brief/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>GOP budget writers had help closing the books on the Medicaid program for the current fiscal year with help from an unlikely source — the Affordable Care Act.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_12"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/TT-leadart-cruz-01_png_312x176_crop_q100.png" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/TT-leadart-cruz-01_png_800x1000_q100.png" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Matt McClain, The Washington Post</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/brief/">The Brief: After the Big Splash, Cruz Must Now Raise Big Bucks</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-24 05:59"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/brief/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>So what's next for <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ted-cruz/">Ted Cruz</a> after his splashy announcement Monday that he's an official candidate for the White House in 2016? The answer is pretty straightforward: It's now nose-to-the-grindstone time.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_13"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/05/Cruz348CMS_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the Republican stage election night Nov. 4, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/05/Cruz348CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the Republican stage election night Nov. 4, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the Republican stage election night Nov. 4, 2014.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/brief/">The Brief: Cruz Wastes No Time, Goes All In on Presidential Bid</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-23 05:59"> March 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/brief/comments/"><span class="value">70</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>As you read these words over your morning coffee, </span><strong>Ted Cruz</strong><span> is already a candidate for president. He announced about 11 p.m. Texas time via Twitter.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_14"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/18/Foster_Jerod-0099_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Jonathan Jones, Field Supervisor for Water Rescue Services, holding partially cleaned fracking waste water."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/18/Foster_Jerod-0099_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Jonathan Jones, Field Supervisor for Water Rescue Services, holding partially cleaned fracking waste water." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Jerod Foster</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Jonathan Jones, Field Supervisor for Water Rescue Services, holding partially cleaned fracking waste water.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/brief/">The Brief: New Federal Rule on Fracking to Be Issued</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 20 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-20 05:59"> March 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/brief/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The Obama administration is poised to become more actively involved in the debate over hydraulic fracturing by issuing new federal regulations on the practice today.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_15"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset094PriceNelson_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo and Sen Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, at the final Sunset Advisory Commission meeting on Jan. 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset094PriceNelson_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo and Sen Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, at the final Sunset Advisory Commission meeting on Jan. 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo and Sen Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, at the final Sunset Advisory Commission meeting on Jan. 14, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/brief/">The Brief: Course Correction on Consolidation Plans at HHSC</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-19 05:59"> March 19, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Lawmakers late Wednesday afternoon signaled that they will tap the brakes on plans to consolidate the state's health and human services agencies. <br/></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_16"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/7C2A1213_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston during the Senate Committee on State Affairs as they listen to testimony relating to guns on campus and open carry on February 12th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/7C2A1213_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston during the Senate Committee on State Affairs as they listen to testimony relating to guns on campus and open carry on February 12th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston during the Senate Committee on State Affairs as they listen to testimony relating to guns on campus and open carry on February 12th, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/brief/">The Brief: Campus Carry Bill Delayed But Not Stopped</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-18 05:59"> March 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/brief/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>A bill allowing the carrying of handguns on college and university campuses wasn't heard on the Senate floor on Tuesday because of a paperwork error. But it is expected to be heard today and will likely pass.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_17"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/OilSunset_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/OilSunset_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Esteban Monclova</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/brief/">The Brief: Oil Prices Are Falling Again</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 17 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-17 05:59"> March 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/brief/comments/"><span class="value">22</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Oil prices are falling again with worries growing anew that the price per barrel might dip below $40.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_18"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0874_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Anti-guns advocates inside Texas Capitol where the Senate Committee on State Affairs is listening to testimony SB 11 & SB 17 both related to handguns on Feb. 12th, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0874_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Anti-guns advocates inside Texas Capitol where the Senate Committee on State Affairs is listening to testimony SB 11 & SB 17 both related to handguns on Feb. 12th, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Anti-guns advocates inside Texas Capitol where the Senate Committee on State Affairs is listening to testimony SB 11 & SB 17 both related to handguns on Feb. 12th, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/brief/">The Brief: Guns Again Take Center Stage in Legislative Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-16 05:59"> March 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/brief/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Legislative activity begins to ramp up in the two chambers this week with speculation rampant that the Senate might take up as early as today legislation that would allow permitted gun owners to carry handguns openly.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_19"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/13/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Gulf-Refinery-Houston_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Gulf-Refinery-Houston_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Roy Luck</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/13/brief/">The Brief: Tentative Agreement Struck in Refinery Labor Unrest</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 13 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-13 05:59"> March 13, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/13/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Steelworkers and Shell Oil have struck a tentative agreement on a labor deal that would end a strike at 15 refineries and chemical plants, the </span><em>Houston Chronicle</em><span> reported Thursday night.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/13/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_20"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/17/jonathan-stickland_1_JPG_312x176_crop_q100.JPG" alt="Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/17/jonathan-stickland_1_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/brief/">The Brief: Stickland Knocks Planned Parenthood, House Leadership</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-12 05:59"> March 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/brief/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>One lawmaker's protest against Planned Parenthood supporters at the Capitol on Wednesday had turned into something else later in the day: a threat that the gloves were about to come off in his fight against the House leadership.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_21"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset027Nelson_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wraps up the Sunset Advisory Commission hearing on Jan. 14, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset027Nelson_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wraps up the Sunset Advisory Commission hearing on Jan. 14, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wraps up the Sunset Advisory Commission hearing on Jan. 14, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/brief/">The Brief: In Search of a Fix to State Contracting Woes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 11 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-11 05:59"> March 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/brief/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>State contracting has become one of the signature issues of the legislative session, but finding a fix won't be easy.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_22"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-MoneyBags_1_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-MoneyBags_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Caleb Bryant Miller</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/brief/">The Brief: A Bid to End the Double-Dip Might Fare Better This Year</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-10 05:59"> March 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/brief/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Legislation intended to stop some government officials from collecting retirement benefits before leaving office appears to have a better prognosis the second time around.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_23"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/06/Undrinkable-leadart-overview_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/06/Undrinkable-leadart-overview_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Spencer Selvidge</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/brief/">The Brief: New Tribune Series Highlights Lack of Drinking Water</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 9 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0500" title="2015-03-09 05:59"> March 9, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>This weekend, the Tribune launched </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://apps.texastribune.org/undrinkable/">a five-part series exploring the difficulties</a><span> of people along the Texas-Mexico border in maintaining access to regular sources of drinking water.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_24"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SRV_hdr_S_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Stevie Ray Vaughn"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SRV_hdr_S_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Stevie Ray Vaughn" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Trey Ratcliff</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Stevie Ray Vaughn</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/brief/">The Brief: Texas and Austin Are Booming, Population-Wise</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 6 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-03-06 05:59"> March 6, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>To close the week, we highlight a couple of trend stories detailing the continued population boom in the Lone Star State.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_25"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Gulf-Refinery-Houston_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Gulf-Refinery-Houston_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Roy Luck</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Houston Ship Channel - March 16, 2012, Baytown, TX</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/brief/">The Brief: Senate Tax Relief Gets Rough Treatment Again</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 5 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-03-05 05:59"> March 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/brief/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Business interests told Senate budget writers <span>on Wednesday </span> that a tax relief plan focused on making changes to the business margins tax prioritized the wrong issue.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_26"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0171_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0171_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/brief/">The Brief: Margins Tax Creates Headache for Senators</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 4 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-03-04 05:59"> March 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/brief/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Senate budget writers in the middle of what they are describing as "Tax Relief Week" expressed remorse en masse at having created the business margins tax in 2006.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/brief/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_27"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/brief/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Drought-DryTexasFlag_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174806/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Drought-DryTexasFlag_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Jinjian Liang</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/brief/">The Brief: Climate Change as National Security Issue</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 3 Mar 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-03-03 05:59"> March 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/brief/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>In a House committee hearing on Monday, one witness sought to redefine the climate change debate as one with clear implications to national security.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174806/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/brief/"> <i 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