The Brief: Aug. 26, 2014
Team Perry on Monday began what it hopes to be a swift effort to nullify the felony indictments brought against the governor earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/18/PerryTeam4.jpg)
-
![Gov. Perry's legal team, including, l to r, David Botsford, Tony Buzbee, Bobby Birchfield and Ben Ginsberg meet the press on Aug. 18, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers Take Closer Look at Earthquakes in North Texas
A major uptick in earthquakes in Texas over the last several years has been linked to the state’s oil and gas boom. A Texas House subcommittee on seismic activity met on Monday to hear what state regulators are doing about it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/25/Road-Damage.jpg)
![A road in the Eagle Ford Shale area in South Texas. The natural gas drilling boom is straining the region's rural roads. More than 1,000 loaded trucks are needed to bring a single well into production.]()
Credit: TxDOT -
In Court Filing, Perry Lawyers Challenge Indictment
Lawyers for Gov. Rick Perry, saying his indictment is unconstitutional on several grounds, filed briefs Monday asking the courts to strike the charges and stop further prosecution of the governor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/19/IMG_9350cms7.jpg)
![A defiant Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks to supporters after his booking at the Travis County Courthouse on August 19, 2014.]()
Credit: Chris Daemmrich -
In West Texas, Energy Bills Show Unexpected Costs of Drilling Boom
In West Texas, oil and gas development is surging, but it's also fueling a huge demand for electricity that the current infrastructure struggles to meet. The result? A congested grid and higher electricity bills for consumers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/22/PowerLines-Bypassed-1.jpg)
![Oil production in West Texas has grown faster than the infrastructure needed to meet the region's new electricity demands. As a result, congestion costs are being passed onto customers' electric bills.]()
Credit: Del Duncan -
Analysis: Crime, Politics and Travis County
Accusations about criminalizing politics go hand in hand with indictments of political figures. But prosecutors in Travis County have fumbled enough big cases to give the officeholders they chase some room for argument. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/16/UP9A5643.JPG)
![Gov. Rick Perry speaks to reporters on Aug. 16, 2014, the day after a grand jury indicted him on two felony counts related to his veto of public integrity unit funding.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Environmental Justice Advocates Question Houston's Recycling Plan
As Houston considers a radical new plan for boosting its dismally low recycling rate, some critics worry that it will continue the legacy of putting waste facilities in predominantly minority neighborhoods. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/22/TexTrib-WASTE-008.jpg)
![The McCarty Road Landfill in northeast Houston. As Houston considers a new plan for boosting its low recycling rate, some critics worry that it will continue the legacy of putting waste facilities in predominantly minority neighborhoods.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
The Brief: Aug. 25, 2014
Mindy Montford, a former candidate for Travis County DA and daughter of former state Sen. John Montford, confirmed on Sunday that Gov. Rick Perry called to see if she was interested in replacing District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV reported. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/25/traviscourthouse_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg)
![Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Texas.]()
-
Who’s Getting the Best Deals on Electricity in Texas?
Texas' top energy officials say the state has a competitive edge because of its low electricity prices. But lower prices don't always mean lower bills for customers, and what Texans pay for electricity largely depends on where they live. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Powerlines_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Inside Texas Politics: The Perry Indictment
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy about what's now known simply as the Perry indictment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/24/RossInsideAug24.jpg)
![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on August 24, 2014]()
-
In Texas, Thousands Lose Cars Amid Calls for Restrictions on Loans
State leaders in business-friendly Texas have been reluctant to put new limits on any industry, and a lack of regulation is being acutely felt by the low-income borrowers to whom the payday and auto-title lending industry most often caters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/22/Bypassed-PayDay.jpg)
![Tiffany Richardson took out a short-term loan against a Nissan Altima and another against a Toyota 4Runner. Both vehicles were repossessed.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Perry Indictment Gets Own Swag
Gov. Rick Perry has attacked the premise of his indictment as politically motivated “farce.” At Republican gatherings in the crucial primary state of New Hampshire, where Perry is testing public opinion ahead of a possible presidential run, some folks wore that viewpoint – literally. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/23/PerryNH0526shirtsCMS1.jpg)
![Front and back of T-shirts with Gov. Rick Perry and District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg mugshots, provided by RickPAC at a Manchester, N.H. event on Friday.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Slideshow: Perry in New Hampshire
A week after a Travis County grand jury handed down two felony indictments against him, Gov. Rick Perry headed to New Hampshire, traditional stomping grounds for presidential hopefuls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/23/PerryNH0769axeCMS.jpg)
![Gov. Rick Perry poses with a traditional New Hampshire prop at an Americans for Prosperity event in Manchester on Friday.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Perry Has No Plans to Pay Initial Legal Fees
Gov. Rick Perry's camp says it has no plans to tap campaign funds to cover the $80,000 that the state has earmarked to pay the governor's initial legal defense fees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/23/SaPerryNH1037SununuCMS.jpg)
![Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu looks on as Gov. Rick Perry speaks at a Stratham rally on Saturday.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Playlist: District Attorney Blues
This week, much of the news coverage focused on the fallout from the indictment of Gov. Rick Perry over his dealings with the Travis County district attorney's office. So our playlist starts with Bukka White's "District Attorney Blues." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/23/8_23CollageFinal.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by John Jordan -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Aug. 18 to 22, 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/22/Tribweek-08182014.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Davis Releases Second Attack Ad, On Cancer Agency
Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis is launching a second TV attack ad in the Texas governor’s race, this time criticizing Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott for his ties to companies that got cancer research grants. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/28/DavisAbbottDonations-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Todd Wiseman -
Davis Releases 2013 Tax Information
Wendy Davis earned significantly less income from her legal work in 2013 than in previous years, according to tax documents released Friday by her campaign. But the Democratic gubernatorial candidate also received a six-figure payment that year for her upcoming memoir. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/12/TXTDavisCanvas-CCR001.jpg)
![Gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis addresses supporters before they canvass for her in East Austin.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Video: Perry's Week in Review
From the charges to a post-booking ice cream stop, we recap the headlines since a Travis County grand jury handed down an indictment against Gov. Rick Perry related to his threat to veto funding for the state’s public integrity unit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Perry_Processing_Charlie99_copy.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce -
Van de Putte Calls for Expanded Medicaid Coverage
Hoping to overcome Republican opposition to expanding Medicaid, Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte said Friday she would seek a Texas-specific plan to cover poor, uninsured adults if elected lieutenant governor in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/04/7C2A8674.jpg)
![Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor of Texas, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, speaks during a campaign swing in Austin on June 4.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Days After Booking, Perry Swings Through New Hampshire
If Gov. Rick Perry decides to make another run for president, he will be more prepared this time around, he said Friday, kicking off a short swing through a crucial early primary state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/22/PerryNH0215cms.jpg)
![New England journalists surround Gov. Rick Perry after Friday's Portsmouth business luncheon.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich