Legislation Would Let Electric Generators Get Bigger
Texas bars companies from owning or controlling more than 20 percent of the electric generation capacity in the state. A lawmaker wants to eliminate that cap. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/texas-powerplant.png)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Jan. 26-30, 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/30/Tribweek01262015.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Lawmakers Want to Expand Screening for Illegal Workers
Just before leaving office, Rick Perry ordered state agencies to start using E-Verify, the federal employment verification system, to make sure job applicants can legally work. But some lawmakers say that mandate isn't enough. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/E-Verify_QuestionMark.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Rep. White Makes Waves, but She's Not the First
State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, is not the first Texas lawmaker to make comments offensive to the Muslim community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/29/Pledge.jpg)
![Over shouts of protesters, school kids led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance during Texas Muslim Capitol Day on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
School Choice Supporters Rally at Capitol
UPDATED: State Sen. Donna Campbell and Land Commissioner George P. Bush were among the speakers who addressed a gathering of school choice supporters Friday just outside the Texas Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/30/_W1A8234.JPG)
![A school choice rally, part of National School Choice Week, drew advocates to the Texas Capitol in Austin on Jan. 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Top House Lawmaker's Daughter to Step Down as Lobbyist
House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock announced Friday that his daughter would be stepping down from her role as a lobbyist for education issues for the upcoming legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/19/D54H2794_1.jpg)
![Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock R-Killeen during a public education committee hearing on February 19th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Brendon Anthony to Head Texas Music Office
Gov. Greg Abbott has tapped Brendon Anthony, known for playing fiddle in singer-songwriter Pat Green's band, to head the Texas Music Office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/30/BrendonAnthony.jpg)
![Brendon Anthony]()
-
Abbott: "Civil Discourse" Needed on Religious Freedom
A day after state Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, came under fire for instructing staff to ask Muslim visitors to her office to pledge their allegiance to the U.S., Gov. Greg Abbott called for civil discussions "so that everyone has the opportunity to weigh in on their beliefs." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/29/Pledge_of_Alleigance.jpg)
![Students take the Pledge of Allegiance as protesters shout on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Perry Attorneys File New Request to Dismiss Indictment
Noting the "serious, well-founded concerns" a judge had in a ruling allowing a case against Rick Perry to proceed, lawyers for the former governor filed a new request Friday to get an indictment against him dismissed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/28/7C2A1586.jpg)
![Former Gov. Rick Perry during a press conference with his legal team on Jan. 28, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
A Fresh Look at Investing in Early Education
Ensuring that Texas kids get the best education tops Gov. Greg Abbott's list of priorities this session. He says a top-notch education starts with quality pre-K, which could get added state funding. This is the final part of our eight-video State of Mind series. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/29/TT-state-of-mind-PreK.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Friday Night Football Returns to Water Politics
Two years ago, the drought prompted a rare outbreak of teamwork as lawmakers from both parties and most corners of Texas together crafted a $2 billion fund to provide more water. This session, though, it looks like we're going back to good old-fashioned water rivalries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/28/PerrySigning.jpg)
![Texas Governor Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 4, which lays the foundation for Texas' future water needs. He is joined by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay on May 28, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
New in Texas Weekly: A New Chair Soon for RPT
A new chairman for the state GOP will be selected March 7, budget writers are gearing up and a breakdown of Senate committees by party and gender — all that and more in the latest issue of our subscriber-only newsletter for political insiders ($). Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/13/Trib-Plus-LeadArt-001_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Campbell to U.N.: Don't Mess With the Alamo
One state lawmaker wants the world to remember this about the Alamo: It belongs to Texas. A legislative proposal by state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, would ban any foreign entity from owning, controlling or managing the Alamo complex. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/28/Alamo-2.jpg)
![The Alamo in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Chris Silver Smith -
The Brief: Jan. 30, 2015
In a week where the news was driven to a large degree by rallies on the Capitol grounds — from open carry activists to anti-Muslim protesters — it's perhaps fitting that the week closes with another one. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/20/7C2A1077.jpg)
![A look at the Texas Capitol before the inaugural festivities begin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Drought Summit Offers Help to Organic Farmers
Small and organic farmers being sapped by the drought often don't qualify for, or know about, government programs that might help them out. A gathering Thursday aimed to help them get over those stumbling blocks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DryCrops-Drought.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Slideshow: Scenes From Texas Muslim Capitol Day
This year's Texas Muslim Capitol Day was marred by an inflammatory Facebook post from freshman state Rep. Molly White and a small but disruptive group of protesters. Full Story
![Students take the Pledge of Allegiance as protesters shout on Jan. 29, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Rand Paul Taps Texas GOP Chairman as Adviser
Rand Paul will add Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri as an adviser, the senator's team confirmed Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/06/PaulFriRPT491CMS.jpg)
![Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul signs a delegate's shirt at the State Republican Convention in Fort Worth on June 6, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
State Will Close Three More Charter Schools
Three Texas charter schools will be shut down for failing to comply with the state education code or provisions in their charters, state officials said Thursday. Among their missteps? Failing to file with the IRS and not opening on time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_CBM2931.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
McRaven: Campus Carry Would Create "Less Safe" Environment
Allowing concealed weapons to be carried on college and university campuses would create "less safe" environments, University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven wrote in a letter to legislative leaders on Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/07/McRaven.jpg)
![Retired Admiral William McRaven, shown last year, took over as chancellor of the UT System on Jan. 5.]()
Credit: Sean K. Harp -
TxDOT: Toll Billing Problems Being Addressed
Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation and Xerox, the company handling the state's tolling operations, said Thursday that fixes to customer service and billing issues were in the works. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/27/Toll-Roads.jpg)
![Interstate 45 Gulf Freeway's HOV and Toll lanes exit into Metro's Eastowood Transit Center in Houston Friday, October 19, 2012.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune