Past Contributions

• Groups Bank on United Front in Gambling Push

  By Audrey White Feb. 6, 2013

  Despite strong resistance inside and outside the Legislature, groups representing gambling interests hope that a collaborative approach can help them make a breakthrough this legislative session. Full Story 

• Medicaid Fraud Recovery Tops $1 Billion

  By Audrey White Feb. 4, 2013

  The Texas attorney general's office is touting a new state record — $1 billion in Medicaid fraud recoveries over the last decade. Full Story 

• Bills Aim to Stop Diverting Funds Meant for State Parks

  By Audrey White Jan. 31, 2013

  Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story 

• Lawmakers to Again Take Aim at Predatory Lending

  By Audrey White Jan. 18, 2013

  The Legislature will have another go at fighting the practices of some payday lenders and auto-title loan businesses, which critics say often prey on vulnerable Texans. Full Story 

• Seven State Parks Could Close Under Proposed Budget

  By Audrey White Jan. 16, 2013

  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would close seven state parks based on current budget proposals in the House and Senate. Full Story 

• Amid Drought, Water Wars Pick Up on Borders

  By Audrey White Jan. 16, 2013

  As Texas' drought wears into its third year, the state is locked in a legal conflict over water with New Mexico, and a North Texas county is suing the state of Oklahoma to get access to a vast amount of water. Full Story 

• Storify: The First Day of the 83rd Legislative Session

  By Audrey White and Cody Permenter Jan. 8, 2013

  Legislators, journalists and others shared thousands of tweets and photos on Tuesday, the first day of the 83rd legislative session. Check out this selection of what they shared. Full Story 

• New Divorce Forms Make Breakups Cheaper, Easier, but Stoke Controversy

  By Audrey White Dec. 6, 2012

  A Texas Supreme Court decision approving standardized divorce forms will give poor people easier access to divorce than ever before. But opponents of the forms worry that without a lawyer's help, the process could go wrong. Full Story 

• New Caucus Seeks to Work for Younger Texans

  By Audrey White Dec. 4, 2012

  Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, is leading an effort to create the Texas Young Legislators Caucus, a bipartisan group that plans to focus on issues that affect Texans under 40 and hopes to engage young people in the legislative process. Full Story 

• Oncor Approves $17 Million Payment to Chief Executive

  By Kate Galbraith and Audrey White Dec. 3, 2012

  The board of the Dallas-based utility company Oncor recently authorized a $17 million payment to its chairman and chief executive, Robert Shapard, according to an SEC filing on Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving. Full Story