Representative Dan Branch traveled to Houston to tour University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  Meeting with researchers exploring breast cancer, melanoma and other critical areas of oncology, Branch also spoke with key stakeholders about possible issues facing the legislature in the 2013 session.

February 29, 2012  

Victor Medina  

The Dallas County Republican Party will host Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as the keynote speaker at the annual Reagan Day Dinner on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The event will be held at the Omni Hotel in Dallas beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The dinner is the marquee event for the county GOP, which celebrates its 60th year in Dallas in 2012. This year also marks the 101st anniversary of the birth of President Ronald Reagan, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 93.

February 25, 2012    

Peggy Fikac    

AUSTIN — State lawmakers may take a fresh look at university admissions and student diversity in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to weigh the University of Texas at Austin's consideration of race.

The court said it would consider a challenge of UT's policy next fall. It's unclear exactly when it will rule.

Chairman Branch conducted a Higher Education Committee hearing on Transfer pathways from community colleges to 4 year institutions. Expert witnesses discussed national trends and where Texas fits into the picture and students from Texas Woman's University and UT-Austin provided insightful testimony by discussing their own experiences with transferring.

Rep. Branch was honored by the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission with a "Horizon Award" for his work during the 82nd legislature. Leaders of the group commended Branch on his diligent work in Higher Education and Branch commented on how important religious and civic organizations are in preparing young Texans to live ethical, productive lives.

Rep. Branch met with a group of 4th grade students from the Episcopal School of Dallas on February 16, 2012. The students toured the capitol, and after pausing to meet with Rep. Branch to learn more about Texas history, continued on to a tour of the Bob Bullock State History Museum.

February 15, 2012    

Reeve Hamilton    

Updated, 5:30 p.m.: UT-Austin President Bill Powers issued a campus-wide email this afternoon acknowledging his receipt of the task force's recommendations to boost the school's four-year graduation rate to 70 percent by 2016.

"Some of these, such as mandatory freshman orientation, will be implemented immediately," he wrote. "Others will need additional input from faculty and staff."

February 16, 2011    

Mike Hailey    

Record Number of Texas House Members Mull Statewide Jump that Hasn't Been Accomplished Since Perry and Morales Wins

A half-dozen state House members are weighing the possibility of making the leap from the lower chamber of the Legislature to statewide office in 2014 - a feat that hasn't been accomplished at the polls in Texas in more than two decades.

Febraury 13, 2012  

Signs Point to Potential Geren Farm Chief Bid while Hilderbran and Creighton Mentioned as Land Commissioner Contestants and Branch Eyes Lt. Governor  

Mike Hailey  

The names of several powerful state legislators are popping up in Capitol conjecture on potential statewide campaigns when most of the top political jobs in Texas are expected to be open and up for grabs on the ballot in 2014.

There's speculation that the pool of potential statewide contenders in two years could include State Reps. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth and Harvey Hilderbran of Kerrville - a pair of Republicans who are top lieutenants to Speaker Joe Straus and influential committee chairmen.

Geren, a member of a family that's played a prominent part in politics at the state, federal and local levels, is being mentioned as a possible candidate for agriculture commissioner. Hilderbran, who'd eyed a race for state farm chief himself in recent years, appears to have shifted his sights to a potential race for land commissioner in 2014.

February 13, 2012  

Ross Ramsey  

Once upon a time, a campaign account with $100,000 or more was a peculiar thing; if not rare, then at least one of a small group.

But that was back in the day: At the end of last year, there were 284 such committees, according to the campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Another 28 committees got to the end of the year with $1 million or more in the bank. At the top of the list — winner and still champ, in this category — is Attorney General Greg Abbott, with $12 million in the bank. The next politician on the list (in the #4 position overall) is Comptroller Susan Combs, who has $6.1 million in the bank.

This isn't even an election year for either one of them.