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src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/logos/TT-5thAnniversary-logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-03-18T01:06:25.881891">Wednesday, March 18, 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/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/feeds/staff/morgan-smith/">RSS <span></span></a> </li> </ul> <h1>Morgan Smith <span>Reporter</span></h1> </header> <div class="intro"> <div class="media headshot_portrait"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Morgan_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox inline"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Morgan_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <p> <strong>Morgan Smith</strong> reports on politics and education for the Tribune, which she joined in November 2009. She writes about the effects of the state budget, school finance reform, accountability and testing in Texas public schools. Her political coverage has included congressional and legislative races, as well as Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign, which she followed to Iowa and New Hampshire. In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for "Death of a District," a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor's degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas. A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C. </p> <ul class="social_links"> <li><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#711c021c18051931051409100205031813041f145f1e0316"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e08d938d899488a0948598819394928982958e85ce8f9287">[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/20150318060623/tel:512.716.8620"> <i class="icon-phone"></i> <span>512.716.8620</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://twitter.com/MorganSmith" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>@MorganSmith</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=45#contributions" class="page">45</a></li><li><a href="?page=46#contributions" class="page">46</a></li><li><a href="?page=47#contributions" class="page">47</a></li><li><a href="?page=48#contributions" class="page">48</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/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/">Bill Creating Graduation Panels Passes Texas Senate</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_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/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:44:41 -0500" title="2015-03-17 12:44"> March 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>High school seniors who have failed their state exams may still have a shot at earning a diploma. A bill providing them a way around the requirement continues to advance in the Texas Legislature.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/">Texas Senate Approves Open Carry of Handguns</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:43:47 -0500" title="2015-03-16 14:43"> March 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/comments/"><span class="value">83</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A bill lifting some of the state's restrictions on handguns passed easily on a 20-11 vote after repeated Democratic efforts to amend it were defeated. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/">Senators Share Concerns About A-F Grades for Schools</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/10/TexTrib-READING-025_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/10/TexTrib-READING-025_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Jennifer Whitney</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:03:55 -0500" title="2015-03-12 13:03"> March 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>During a Senate Education Committee hearing Thursday, lawmakers questioned whether </span><span>A-through-F ratings for schools would provide a clear picture of a school's performance.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/">Talk Turns to Standards as Lawmakers Weigh Pre-K Bills</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Robert W. Hart</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> and <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:37:38 -0500" title="2015-03-10 17:37"> March 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>As legislators considered several early education bills Tuesday afternoon, testimony was dominated by a debate over what standards school districts should meet to get additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/pre-k-top-agenda-reaction-mixed/">Early Education Push Earning Lukewarm Reviews</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/pre-k-top-agenda-reaction-mixed/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K4_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda teaches her students the concept of "push" by having them join hands and push back and forth in her classroom at the Dallas Independent School District elementary school Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K4_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda teaches her students the concept of "push" by having them join hands and push back and forth in her classroom at the Dallas Independent School District elementary school Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Robert W. Hart</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda teaches her students the concept of "push" by having them join hands and push back and forth in her classroom at the Dallas Independent School District elementary school Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 4 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-03-04 06:00"> March 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/pre-k-top-agenda-reaction-mixed/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>When Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> named improving pre-kindergarten programs as a top priority, it signaled a dramatic move in the state’s approach to early education. <span>But so far, the change has been mostly in tone.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/pre-k-top-agenda-reaction-mixed/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/patrick-unveils-first-round-education-reform-bills/">Patrick Unveils First Round of Education Proposals</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/patrick-unveils-first-round-education-reform-bills/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/_S3R9672CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/_S3R9672CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 3 Mar 2015 12:40:25 -0600" title="2015-03-03 12:40"> March 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/patrick-unveils-first-round-education-reform-bills/comments/"><span class="value">26</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Virtual learning, A-through-F school ratings and teacher quality <span>were among the topics covered by broad slate of education reform bills announced <span>by </span><span>Lt. Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a><span> and Education Chairman </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/larry-taylor-dallas/">Larry Taylor</a><span> on Tuesday. </span></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/03/patrick-unveils-first-round-education-reform-bills/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/huberty-prek/">House Takes the Lead on Abbott's Pre-K Charge</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/huberty-prek/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BilingualPreK-012_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Teacher Silvia Corado works with students in her pre-kindergarten class as they learn syllables and word identification, part of the Summer Bilingual Academy at Wilson Elementary School in San Antonio."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BilingualPreK-012_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Teacher Silvia Corado works with students in her pre-kindergarten class as they learn syllables and word identification, part of the Summer Bilingual Academy at Wilson Elementary School in San Antonio." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Lisa Krantz</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Teacher Silvia Corado works with students in her pre-kindergarten class as they learn syllables and word identification, part of the Summer Bilingual Academy at Wilson Elementary School in San Antonio.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Feb 2015 12:58:19 -0600" title="2015-02-26 12:58"> Feb. 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/huberty-prek/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A week after </span><span>Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> put early education reform on the legislative fast track, t</span><span>op House lawmakers announced Thursday what is likely to become the major pre-kindergarten bill of the session.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/huberty-prek/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/aycock-takes-stand-defend-texas-education/">Education Chair Defends High School Graduation Rates</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/aycock-takes-stand-defend-texas-education/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/22/UP9A9262_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock R-Killeen at January 22nd Conversation at the Austin Club"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/22/UP9A9262_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock R-Killeen at January 22nd Conversation at the Austin Club" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock R-Killeen at January 22nd Conversation at the Austin Club</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a> and <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Feb 2015 17:06:51 -0600" title="2015-02-24 17:06"> Feb. 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/aycock-takes-stand-defend-texas-education/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Committee Chairman Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jimmie-don-aycock/">Jimmie Don Aycock</a>,</span><span> R-Killeen,</span><span> took to his soapbox at the beginning of Tuesday's public education hearing to defend the high standards of Texas education. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/aycock-takes-stand-defend-texas-education/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/texas-senate-leaders-propose-46-billion-tax-breaks/">Texas Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/texas-senate-leaders-propose-46-billion-tax-breaks/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/_S3R0030_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/_S3R0030_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:13:23 -0600" title="2015-02-24 12:13"> Feb. 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/texas-senate-leaders-propose-46-billion-tax-breaks/comments/"><span class="value">92</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Lt. Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a><span> has announced a slate of bills he says will provide lasting </span><span>tax</span><span> relief to </span><span>businesses and homeowners in Texas — to the tune of $4.6 billion. But there are signs he could face some opposition within his own party. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/texas-senate-leaders-propose-46-billion-tax-breaks/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/20/texas-high-school-graduation-rate-behind-only-iowa/">Texas High School Graduation Rate Behind Only Iowa</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/20/texas-high-school-graduation-rate-behind-only-iowa/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_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/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 20 Feb 2015 16:34:30 -0600" title="2015-02-20 16:34"> Feb. 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/20/texas-high-school-graduation-rate-behind-only-iowa/comments/"><span class="value">38</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas continues to outpace the national average in high school graduation rates, according to annually released federal data, state education officials announced Friday. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/20/texas-high-school-graduation-rate-behind-only-iowa/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/state-exams-once-again-target-texas-lawmakers/">State Exams Once Again Target of Texas Lawmakers</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/state-exams-once-again-target-texas-lawmakers/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/10/WT7-2_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Sen. Kel Seliger speaks about the 83rd legislative session with state Reps. John Smithee and Walter "Four" Price at West Texas A&M University in Canyon."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/10/WT7-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Sen. Kel Seliger speaks about the 83rd legislative session with state Reps. John Smithee and Walter "Four" Price at West Texas A&M University in Canyon." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: David Bowser</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Kel Seliger speaks about the 83rd legislative session with state Reps. John Smithee and Walter "Four" Price at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:40:00 -0600" title="2015-02-19 14:40"> Feb. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/state-exams-once-again-target-texas-lawmakers/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas lawmakers took aim at the state’s standardized testing system Thursday as they <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/graduation-committees/">considered a proposal</a> to allow high school seniors to graduate even if they fail state exams.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/state-exams-once-again-target-texas-lawmakers/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/graduation-committees/">High School Seniors Who Fail Exams May Still Graduate</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/graduation-committees/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/Patrick_and_Seliger_CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick meets privately with Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, on the dais during a break in Senate proceedings Jan. 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/Patrick_and_Seliger_CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick meets privately with Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, on the dais during a break in Senate proceedings Jan. 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick meets privately with Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, on the dais during a break in Senate proceedings Jan. 21, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-19 06:00"> Feb. 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/graduation-committees/comments/"><span class="value">31</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The roughly 28,000 public high school seniors who still need to pass a state exam to get their diplomas this May could get a lifeline from Texas legislators.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/19/graduation-committees/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/gun-hearing/">Open, Campus Carry Bills Pass Senate Panel</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/gun-hearing/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:26:27 -0600" title="2015-02-12 18:26"> Feb. 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/gun-hearing/comments/"><span class="value">68</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>A crowd of Second Amendment rights activists, survivors of gun violence, students, concerned parents, and law enforcement officers showed up at the Texas Capitol <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_730390814">on Thursday</span> to give lawmakers their views on two high-profile gun bills.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/gun-hearing/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/texas-gun-bills-set-first-capitol-hearing/">Texas Gun Bills to Get Their First Capitol Hearing</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/texas-gun-bills-set-first-capitol-hearing/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/11/IMG_9424_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Members of Open Carry Texas at the state Capitol on Jan. 26, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/11/IMG_9424_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Members of Open Carry Texas at the state Capitol on Jan. 26, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Members of Open Carry Texas at the state Capitol on Jan. 26, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-12 06:00"> Feb. 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/texas-gun-bills-set-first-capitol-hearing/comments/"><span class="value">53</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Gun rights activists haven't been shy about making their presence felt at the Capitol. They'll have their first chance to weigh in on actual legislation on Thursday, when a Senate committee takes up two gun bills. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/12/texas-gun-bills-set-first-capitol-hearing/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/11/pro-gun-control-group-gets-security-capitol-hearin/">Gun Control Group Hires Security for Capitol Hearing</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/11/pro-gun-control-group-gets-security-capitol-hearin/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/25/OpenCarry_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/11/25/OpenCarry_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Michael Tefft </cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 11 Feb 2015 20:47:58 -0600" title="2015-02-11 20:47"> Feb. 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/11/pro-gun-control-group-gets-security-capitol-hearin/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Citing concerns over threats of violence, a group that advocates for stricter firearm laws has retained a security guard to protect members planning to testify at the Texas Capitol on Thursday.</p> <p> </p> <p><span> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/11/pro-gun-control-group-gets-security-capitol-hearin/"> <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=45#contributions" class="page">45</a></li><li><a href="?page=46#contributions" class="page">46</a></li><li><a href="?page=47#contributions" 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href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 13 Aug 2013 18:00:00 -0500" title="2013-08-13 18:00"> Aug. 13, 2013 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/13/brief-texas-political-news-aug-13-2013/">The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 13, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 13 Aug 2013 07:07:22 -0500" title="2013-08-13 07:07"> Aug. 13, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/13/brief-texas-political-news-aug-13-2013/comments/"><span class="value">17</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/12/brief-texas-political-news-aug-12-2013/">The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 12, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 12 Aug 2013 07:13:34 -0500" title="2013-08-12 07:13"> Aug. 12, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/12/brief-texas-political-news-aug-12-2013/comments/"><span class="value">35</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/24/evening-brief-texas-headlines-june-21-2013/">The Evening Brief: Texas Headlines for June 24, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:17:16 -0500" title="2013-06-24 17:17"> June 24, 2013 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/06/texplainer-has-state-spending-schools-increased/">Texplainer: Has State Spending on Schools Increased?</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 Feb 2013 06:00:00 -0600" title="2013-02-06 06:00"> Feb. 6, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150318060623/https://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/06/texplainer-has-state-spending-schools-increased/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> </dl> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Morgan’s Favorite Websites</h1> </header> <ul class="blog-roll"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/" class="external">Burkablog</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.scotxblog.com/" class="external">Supreme Court of Texas Blog</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/" class="external">Texas Politics</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://slatest.slate.com/" class="external">Slatest</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/" class="external">The Fix</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor.html" class="external">The XX Factor</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.niemanlab.org/" class="external">Niemanlab</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.nytimes.com/timeswire/" class="external">Timeswire</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.theawl.com/" class="external">The Awl</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Morgan’s Wire</h1> </header> <dl> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/08/cruz-pokes-fun-at-perrys-oops-moment/">Cruz pokes fun at Perry’s ‘oops’ moment</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/08/cruz-pokes-fun-at-perrys-oops-moment/">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:13:13 -0500" title="2014-08-11 00:13"> Aug. 11, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2014/08/10/texas-principal-fired-for-telling-students-to-speak-english-n1876574">Fired Texas Principal Speaks Out: ‘It Would Be Bes</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2014/08/10/texas-principal-fired-for-telling-students-to-speak-english-n1876574">Town Hall</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:24:26 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:24"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Texas-school-ratings-show-best-and-worst-5676883.php">Texas school ratings show best and worst</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Texas-school-ratings-show-best-and-worst-5676883.php">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:23:42 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:23"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/aug/09/cruz-perry-rally-gop-base/">Cruz, Perry rally GOP base</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/aug/09/cruz-perry-rally-gop-base/">Associated Press</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:07:50 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:07"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20140808-with-national-ambitions-ted-cruz-and-rick-perry-ramp-up-rivalry.ece">With national ambitions, Ted Cruz and Rick Perry r</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20140808-with-national-ambitions-ted-cruz-and-rick-perry-ramp-up-rivalry.ece">Dallas Morning News</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:06:26 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:06"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Perry-and-Cruz-test-messages-for-possible-5677998.php">Perry and Cruz test messages for possible presiden</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Perry-and-Cruz-test-messages-for-possible-5677998.php">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:06:01 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:06"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/02/09/michelle-rhee-susan-combs-wise-school-spending/5259291/">Rhee/Combs: Are education funds being wasted?</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/02/09/michelle-rhee-susan-combs-wise-school-spending/5259291/">USA Today</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 10 Feb 2014 13:20:25 -0600" title="2014-02-10 13:20"> Feb. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060623/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/herman-hasan-trial-a-test-for-all/nZMhb/">Herman: Hasan trial a test for all</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a 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