Chairman Branch conducted a Higher Education Committee hearing on Transferability 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 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.

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.

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.

Rep. Branch met with the new Dean of Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Lawrence Wolinsky in late January.  Dr. Wolinsky provided a tour of the facilities and Rep. Branch met with several dentistry students, as well.

Branch Could Turn Best Fundraising Stretch Yet into Launching Pad as Staples Presses Combs on Plans and Land Boss Has Quarter-Million Dollar Cash Haul   

By Mike Hailey   

Capitol Inside Editor   

The field of candidates for Texas lieutenant governor in 2014 could be on the verge of expanding with a powerful state lawmaker eyeing a possible bid for the statewide post after raising more than $1 million during the past year.

The emergence of Republican State Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas as a potential contender for the state's second highest ranking political post could throw a wrench into the dynamics of a political contest that's been shaping up for months as a fight between three current statewide officials for the GOP.

January 18, 2012    

Dallas Eye Specialist Who's GOP Version of Vo Hits Cash Gusher while Ex-Senator's Son and Challengers Out East Raise Big Bucks    

Mike Hailey    

A Vietnamese-American who's been living the great American dream put on a fundraising display that would make most veteran politicians envious when he raised more than a quarter-million dollars last fall for a highly-competitive Texas House race this year.

Irving optometrist Steve Nguyen - a Republican activist who generated almost $257,000 in the past few months in his bid for a suburban seat in northwest Dallas County - is one of several House hopefuls who posted contributions in the six-digit range during the second half of 2011 in reports they filed Tuesday with the Texas Ethics Commission.