/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ben_Philpot.jpg)
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
For several weeks now, it's looked more like a question of when, not if, Gov. Rick Perry will run for president. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News reports, Perry still has a few steps to take before making the big announcement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/829ae2b77d704137c3f774bac1c7c5ff/BD%20INC%20Perry%20Points%20Serious%202010)
Mental health service provider Bluebonnet Trails escaped budget cuts that would have shut off services to more than 2,000 people. That number turned out to be less than 500, but as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the cuts still hurt. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Bluebonnet_Trails_-_By_Daniel_Reese_-_01.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry made three stops around Austin on Monday. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the governor didn't look like someone who hasn't decided whether he's running for president. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b99f00310c8999e5a71f8c90db36592/BD%20INC%20Perry%20Thumbs%202011)
Under a new congressional redistricting map, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, would lose 60,000 constituents who voted for President Barack Obama in 2008. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune talked with Doggett about the proposal, which the congressman said "plunged a dagger into the heart" of Travis County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Doggett_Map2.jpg)
The Legislature has just a few days to get the state budget, the most important bill of the session, passed and to the governor's desk. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on the final items needed to send lawmakers home on time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB9236.jpg)
In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Morgan and Ben talk budget drama, stalled education legislation and the renewed Rick-Perry-for-president buzz. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Tribcast_2.jpg)
The legislative session ends in less than two weeks, and lawmakers won't take up a bill to redraw the state's congressional districts until later this week. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how the delay could affect how the new lines are drawn. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Redistricting_Map_Tweasers.jpg)
Public school budget cuts are coming, but for now, school districts still don't know by how much. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, a special session on education funding could push decisions past school district deadlines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/pencilgraphdown.jpg)
Gov. Rick Perry has unsuccessfully tried to get a meeting with President Barack Obama, who will be visiting Texas today, to discuss the federal government's denial of a wildfire disaster declaration in Texas, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryX002CMS.jpg)
Attention, gamblers. A Texas House committee surprised the casino lobby Friday night when it voted out legislation that would allow video lottery terminals — slot machines — at state racetracks and Indian reservations. The casinos were left behind. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Texas-Slot-Machine.jpg)