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<input name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH"> <button type="search" alt="Do Search"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </form> </div> </li> <li class="mobile-only active" id="mobi_join"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/join/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-supportus-flag.png) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-04-24T07:19:13.847942">Friday, April 24, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <header class="auxiliary content_header"> <ul class="actions"> <li class="rss"> <a type="application/rss+xml" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/staff/ross-ramsey/">RSS <span></span></a> </li> </ul> <h1>Ross Ramsey <span>Executive Editor</span></h1> </header> <div class="intro"> <div class="media headshot_portrait"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ross_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox inline"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ross_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <p> <strong>Ross Ramsey</strong> is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune. Before joining the Tribune, Ross was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly for 15 years. He did a 28-month stint in government as associate deputy comptroller for policy and director of communications with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle from its Austin bureau and for the Dallas Times Herald, first on the business desk in Dallas and later as its Austin bureau chief, and worked as a Dallas-based freelance business writer, writing for regional and national magazines and newspapers. Ross got his start in journalism in broadcasting, covering news for radio stations in Denton and Dallas. </p> <ul class="social_links"> <li><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3d1d1c2ced0c6dae3d7c6dbc2d0d7d1cac1d6cdc68dccd1c4"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcceceddd1cfd9c5fcc8d9c4ddcfc8ced5dec9d2d992d3cedb">[email protected]</span><script cf-hash="f9e31" type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */!function(){try{var t="currentScript"in document?document.currentScript:function(){for(var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script"),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute("cf-hash"))return t[e]}();if(t&&t.previousSibling){var e,r,n,i,c=t.previousSibling,a=c.getAttribute("data-cfemail");if(a){for(e="",r=parseInt(a.substr(0,2),16),n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)i=parseInt(a.substr(n,2),16)^r,e+=String.fromCharCode(i);e=document.createTextNode(e),c.parentNode.replaceChild(e,c)}}}catch(u){}}();/* ]]> */</script></span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/tel:512-716-8611"> <i class="icon-phone"></i> <span>512-716-8611</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://twitter.com/rossramsey" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>@rossramsey</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://facebook.com/ramsey57" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-facebook"></i> <span>ramsey57</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/https://plus.google.com/117419968609267968167" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-google-plus"></i> <span>Follow</span> </a></li> </ul> </div> <section id="contributions"> <a name="contributions"></a> <h2>Recent Contributions</h2> <div class="contributions"> <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#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=143#contributions" class="page">143</a></li><li><a href="?page=144#contributions" class="page">144</a></li><li><a href="?page=145#contributions" class="page">145</a></li><li><a href="?page=146#contributions" class="page">146</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/budgetine/">Budgetline: The Cemetery at the End of the Budget</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/budgetine/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/10/Budgetline-podcast-lead-art-final_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/10/Budgetline-podcast-lead-art-final_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a>, <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> and <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/twiseman/">Todd Wiseman</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-24 06:00"> April 24, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>In this episode of Budgetline, an occasional TribCast series on the Texas budget, Aman and Ross explore the place at the end of the budget where unfunded items go. While it's charitably referred to as "the wish list," budget watchers say it more often serves as "the cemetery," or "where dreams go to die."</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/budgetine/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/analysis-tax-cuts-easy-way-grade-lawmakers-work/">Analysis: Tax Cuts an Easy Way to Grade Lawmakers' Work</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/analysis-tax-cuts-easy-way-grade-lawmakers-work/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/UP9A9547_JPG_260x1000_q100.JPG" alt="State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/UP9A9547_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-24 06:00"> April 24, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Legislature has fewer than six weeks left in this session and thousands of bills to consider. But you can get a pretty good feel for how things are going by watching their efforts to cut taxes. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/24/analysis-tax-cuts-easy-way-grade-lawmakers-work/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/legislative-tensions-peak-leadership-breakfast/">Legislative Tensions Peak at Leadership Breakfast</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/legislative-tensions-peak-leadership-breakfast/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8694_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/21/UP9A8694_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during Texas Public Policy Foundation's grand opening of new building on April 21st, 2015</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a> and <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 22 Apr 2015 20:20:30 -0500" title="2015-04-22 20:20"> April 22, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/legislative-tensions-peak-leadership-breakfast/comments/"><span class="value">49</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>A weekly leadership breakfast went sour Wednesday as the state's top three officials complained to one another about legislative packages and the tensions between a House and Senate that have just weeks left to complete their work.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/legislative-tensions-peak-leadership-breakfast/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/analysis-ignoring-legislative-partners-stepping-to/">Analysis: Legislative Dance Partners, Stepping on Toes</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/analysis-ignoring-legislative-partners-stepping-to/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border375Bonnen2_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Ways and Means chairman Re. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, talks over amendments to HB11 the border security bill debated on Mar. 1, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border375Bonnen2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Ways and Means chairman Re. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, talks over amendments to HB11 the border security bill debated on Mar. 1, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Ways and Means chairman Re. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, talks over amendments to HB11 the border security bill debated on Mar. 1, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 22 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-22 06:00"> April 22, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/analysis-ignoring-legislative-partners-stepping-to/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas House and Senate are ignoring each other's work, slowing progress on bills like open carry and border security legislation. They're ruffling feathers, too.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/22/analysis-ignoring-legislative-partners-stepping-to/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/analysis-dps-seeks-investigation-dps-contracts/">Analysis: Bickering Over Inquiries, With a Legislative Audience</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/analysis-dps-seeks-investigation-dps-contracts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/24/UP9A4422_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw gives testimony during the joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking in La Joya, Texas July 24th, 2014"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/24/UP9A4422_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw gives testimony during the joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking in La Joya, Texas July 24th, 2014" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw gives testimony during the joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking in La Joya, Texas July 24th, 2014</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-21 06:00"> April 21, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/analysis-dps-seeks-investigation-dps-contracts/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>As the Texas Legislature debates moving ethics investigations out of Travis County, an exchange between prosecutors and state police illustrates some of the problems ahead.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/21/analysis-dps-seeks-investigation-dps-contracts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/analysis-what-happens-when-texans-votes-matter/">Analysis: When Texans' Presidential Primary Votes Matter</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/analysis-what-happens-when-texans-votes-matter/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/23/FourTexasPresCands_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/23/FourTexasPresCands_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Jeb Bush</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 20 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-20 06:00"> April 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/analysis-what-happens-when-texans-votes-matter/comments/"><span class="value">16</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>A crowded Republican race for the 2016 presidential nomination could bring a nationally competitive contest to a state that does not often get to take part. <span>And that could influence state politics even as the state gets a word into the national debate.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/20/analysis-what-happens-when-texans-votes-matter/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/18/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-41315/">TribWeek: Top Texas News for the Week of 4/13/15</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/18/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-41315/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/Tribweek-04132015_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/Tribweek-04132015_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 18 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-18 06:00"> April 18, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The best of our best content from April 13 to April 17, 2015.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/18/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-41315/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/analysis-winning-and-losing-without-even-voting/">Analysis: Winning and Losing Without Even Voting</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/analysis-winning-and-losing-without-even-voting/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border162_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel shows the rule book to a group of House members including Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, during a point of order called on HB 11 March 18, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/HB11Border162_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel shows the rule book to a group of House members including Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, during a point of order called on HB 11 March 18, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel shows the rule book to a group of House members including Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, during a point of order called on HB 11 March 18, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 17 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-17 06:00"> April 17, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Voting against legislation isn't the only way to kill it. Some of the most powerful tools available to Texas legislators are found in the dry pages of their parliamentary rulebooks.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/17/analysis-winning-and-losing-without-even-voting/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/16/analysis-senate-trying-regulate-its-own-spending/">Analysis: A Senate Trying to Regulate Its Own Spending</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/16/analysis-senate-trying-regulate-its-own-spending/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/09/Kelly_Hancock_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative orientation session on Jan. 7, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/09/Kelly_Hancock_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative orientation session on Jan. 7, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Robin Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation legislative orientation session on Jan. 7, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 16 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-16 06:00"> April 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/16/analysis-senate-trying-regulate-its-own-spending/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Senate wants to limit growth in the state budget — by adding a fifth spending limit to state law.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/16/analysis-senate-trying-regulate-its-own-spending/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/analysis-abbott-wants-tax-cut-without-picking-side/">Analysis: Abbott Wants a Tax Cut Without Picking Sides</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/analysis-abbott-wants-tax-cut-without-picking-side/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/DSC_8643WoodCMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference with Ellen Wood, president and CEO of vcfo on his plans to greatly reduce the Texas business franchise tax, on April 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/DSC_8643WoodCMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference with Ellen Wood, president and CEO of vcfo on his plans to greatly reduce the Texas business franchise tax, on April 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference with Ellen Wood, president and CEO of vcfo on his plans to greatly reduce the Texas business franchise tax, on April 15, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:25:06 -0500" title="2015-04-15 15:25"> April 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/analysis-abbott-wants-tax-cut-without-picking-side/comments/"><span class="value">25</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>As the House and Senate continue their "robust discussion" over whether to cut sales or property taxes, Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> touted his own preference, along with a way to avoid the fight: business tax cuts, along with whatever legislators decide.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/15/analysis-abbott-wants-tax-cut-without-picking-side/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/former-lead-budget-writer-lobbies-cut-pole-tax/">Former House Budget Writer Lobbying for Strip Clubs</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/former-lead-budget-writer-lobbies-cut-pole-tax/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/22/X_BDA5223CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, testifies at the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations regarding UT Regent Wallace Hall on October 22, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/22/X_BDA5223CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, testifies at the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations regarding UT Regent Wallace Hall on October 22, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, testifies at the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations regarding UT Regent Wallace Hall on October 22, 2013.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 16:02:40 -0500" title="2015-04-13 16:02"> April 13, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/former-lead-budget-writer-lobbies-cut-pole-tax/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Former House Appropriations Chairman <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jim-pitts/">Jim Pitts</a>, R-Waxahachie, is lobbying for the Texas Entertainment Association — the euphemistically named trade group for the state’s strip clubs.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/former-lead-budget-writer-lobbies-cut-pole-tax/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/analysis-big-money-little-ideas/">Analysis: Big Money, Little Ideas in Legislature</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/analysis-big-money-little-ideas/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Steven Leggett</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-13 06:00"> April 13, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/analysis-big-money-little-ideas/comments/"><span class="value">20</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>With a huge pot of extra money to inspire them or tempt them to make grand proposals, Texas lawmakers have opted for thrift over big ideas. That's a little out of character.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/13/analysis-big-money-little-ideas/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/11/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-4615/">TribWeek: Top Texas News for the Week of 4/6/15</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/11/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-4615/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/10/tribweek-41015_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/10/tribweek-41015_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 11 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-11 06:00"> April 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/11/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-4615/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The best of our best content from April 6 to April 10, 2015.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/11/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-4615/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/10/analysis-lawmakers-inconsistent-debt-and-domain/">Analysis: Lawmakers Inconsistent on Debt and Domain</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/10/analysis-lawmakers-inconsistent-debt-and-domain/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/20100317-DSC_6881_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/20100317-DSC_6881_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>credit: Caleb Bryant Miller</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 10 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-10 06:00"> April 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/10/analysis-lawmakers-inconsistent-debt-and-domain/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Lawmakers try to do what voters want, but nobody promised consistency. That's why you can get the same legislators to reduce debt and increase it on the same day, or to argue for and against eminent domain in the same hearing.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/10/analysis-lawmakers-inconsistent-debt-and-domain/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/analysis-something-more-conservative-tax-cuts/">Analysis: Something More Conservative Than Tax Cuts?</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/analysis-something-more-conservative-tax-cuts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/09/UP9A6450_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, speaks during an interview with Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on April 9, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/09/UP9A6450_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, speaks during an interview with Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on April 9, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, speaks during an interview with Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on April 9, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 9 Apr 2015 13:24:24 -0500" title="2015-04-09 13:24"> April 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/analysis-something-more-conservative-tax-cuts/comments/"><span class="value">35</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>As the House and Senate engage in what state Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/kevin-eltife/">Kevin Eltife</a> calls "a bidding war" over cuts to sales and property taxes, the Tyler Republican is sticking to his guns: He thinks lawmakers should look at neglected projects before they cut taxes.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/09/analysis-something-more-conservative-tax-cuts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <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#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=143#contributions" class="page">143</a></li><li><a href="?page=144#contributions" class="page">144</a></li><li><a href="?page=145#contributions" class="page">145</a></li><li><a href="?page=146#contributions" class="page">146</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </div> </section> </div> <div class=" rail cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Ross’s Twitter Feed</h1> </header> <a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/https://twitter.com/rossramsey" data-widget-id="557283380245430272" data-screen-name="rossramsey" data-tweet-limit="3" data-chrome="noborders nofooter noheader">Tweets</a> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Ross’s Blog Posts</h1> </header> <dl> <dt> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/29/inside-intelligence-about-those-handgun-laws/">Inside Intelligence: About Those Handgun Laws...</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:38:20 -0600" title="2015-01-29 12:38"> Jan. 29, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/22/inside-intelligence-about-price-oil/">Inside Intelligence: About the Price of Oil...</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:42:19 -0600" title="2015-01-22 10:42"> Jan. 22, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/14/inside-intelligence-about-84th-legislature/">Inside Intelligence: About That 84th Legislature...</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:45:52 -0600" title="2015-01-14 16:45"> Jan. 14, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/08/inside-intelligence-about-new-guys/">Inside Intelligence: About The New Guys...</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 8 Jan 2015 17:45:24 -0600" title="2015-01-08 17:45"> Jan. 8, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/17/inside-intelligence-about-rick-perry/">Inside Intelligence: About Rick Perry...</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150424121916/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:47:46 -0600" title="2014-12-17 17:47"> Dec. 17, 2014 </time></li></ul> </dd> </dl> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Ross’s Favorite Websites</h1> </header> <ul class="blog-roll"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/" class="external">Burkablog</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.quorumreport.com/" class="external">Quorum Report</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Ross’s Wire</h1> </header> <dl> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/adam-d-young/2015-04-17/hernandez-condemns-perry-racist-unchristianly-terrorism#.VTPn0hPF9p9">Hernandez: Perry racist, unchristianly for 'terror</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/adam-d-young/2015-04-17/hernandez-condemns-perry-racist-unchristianly-terrorism#.VTPn0hPF9p9">Lubbock Avalanche-Journal</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 19 Apr 2015 12:37:32 -0500" title="2015-04-19 12:37"> April 19, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.citylab.com/politics/2015/04/meet-the-opposition-to-texas-high-speed-rail/390576/">Meet the Opposition to Texas High-Speed Rail</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.citylab.com/politics/2015/04/meet-the-opposition-to-texas-high-speed-rail/390576/">The Atlantic</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:39:42 -0500" title="2015-04-17 10:39"> April 17, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/04/14/the-worst-tax-breaks/stop-letting-the-rich-move-to-puerto-rico-as-a-tax-haven">Stop Letting the Rich Move to Puerto Rico as a Tax</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/04/14/the-worst-tax-breaks/stop-letting-the-rich-move-to-puerto-rico-as-a-tax-haven">New York Times</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:15:53 -0500" title="2015-04-14 17:15"> April 14, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/04/where-kids-live-now-in-the-us/390243/">The U.S. Metros With the Highest and Lowest Shares</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/04/where-kids-live-now-in-the-us/390243/">The Atlantic</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 13:54:48 -0500" title="2015-04-13 13:54"> April 13, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/https://www.yahoo.com/politics/the-mystery-moneymen-behind-ted-cruzs-super-pacs-116037797361.html">The mystery moneymen behind Ted Cruz鈥檚 super-PACs</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/https://www.yahoo.com/politics/the-mystery-moneymen-behind-ted-cruzs-super-pacs-116037797361.html">Yahoo News</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:31:02 -0500" title="2015-04-13 11:31"> April 13, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/13/us/mighty-rio-grande-now-a-trickle-under-siege.html">Mighty Rio Grande Now a Trickle Under Siege</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/13/us/mighty-rio-grande-now-a-trickle-under-siege.html">New York Times</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:07:45 -0500" title="2015-04-13 11:07"> April 13, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Bill-could-make-open-carry-easier-for-6192559.php?t=9bd2b85a01&cmpid=twitter-premium">Bill could make open carry easier for out-of-state</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Bill-could-make-open-carry-easier-for-6192559.php?t=9bd2b85a01&cmpid=twitter-premium">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 12 Apr 2015 16:38:56 -0500" title="2015-04-12 16:38"> April 12, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/09/d-c-outsider-ted-cruz-looks-inside-the-beltway-for-campaign-cash/?wpisrc=nl_pmpol&wpmm=1">D.C. outsider Ted Cruz looks inside the Beltway fo</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/09/d-c-outsider-ted-cruz-looks-inside-the-beltway-for-campaign-cash/?wpisrc=nl_pmpol&wpmm=1">Washington Post</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Thu, 9 Apr 2015 15:00:32 -0500" title="2015-04-09 15:00"> April 9, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/park-cities/headlines/20150403-why-is-harlan-crow-building-a-garage-fit-for-77-cars.ece">Why is Harlan Crow building a garage fit for 77 ca</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/park-cities/headlines/20150403-why-is-harlan-crow-building-a-garage-fit-for-77-cars.ece">Dallas Morning News</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 6 Apr 2015 15:29:09 -0500" title="2015-04-06 15:29"> April 6, 2015 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2015-04-05/texas-house-apparently-headed-different-direction-illegal-immigration-issue#.VSLPFRPF-2t">Texas House apparently headed in different directi</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150424121916/http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2015-04-05/texas-house-apparently-headed-different-direction-illegal-immigration-issue#.VSLPFRPF-2t">Lubbock Avalanche-Journal</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 6 Apr 2015 13:28:08 -0500" title="2015-04-06 13:28"> April 6, 2015 </time> 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