Texans for Public Justice has just released its latest money-trail report – this one on the blood, sweat, and money that Merck poured into Texas campaign troughs to ensure, by hook or by crook, a state requirement that sixth-grade fillies receive Merck’s all-new and barely tested human papillomavirus vaccine. In other Merck news, the pharma giant agreed today to pay the IRS $2.8 billion to settle an old tax debt.

This article appears in February 9 • 2007.

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Amy Smith has been writing about Austin policy and politics for over 20 years. She joined The Austin Chronicle in 1996.