Past Contributions

• The Weekly TribCast: Episode 78

  By Reeve Hamilton May 4, 2011

  In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss the Texas Senate, the budget being considered by the Texas Senate, and the influence of outside groups on the Texas Senate. Full Story 

• A&M Alumni Organize Against Higher Ed Proposals

  By Reeve Hamilton May 4, 2011

  A group of prominent Texas A&M University alumni have signed a letter opposing the controversial "breakthrough solutions" proposed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and encouraged by the state's Aggie-in-Chief, Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story 

• Update: Can Tier-One Contenders Reach Consensus on Prize Money?

  By Reeve Hamilton May 4, 2011

  There's a substantial cash prize awaiting Texas' seven emerging research universities, if they can meet the criteria to be considered "tier one." But there's no way to get at it right now, and there won't be unless they can all reach an agreement. Full Story 

• Anti-Bullying Bill Tentatively Passes House

  By Reeve Hamilton May 3, 2011

  On Tuesday night, House Bill 1942 by state Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, which seeks to reduce bullying in schools by providing what the bill analysis calls "a minimal framework" for how to address incidents of bullying, was tentatively approved by the House with a vote of 102-34. Full Story 

• Update: Zaffirini and Powell Escalate Higher Ed Debate

  By Reeve Hamilton May 3, 2011

  An increasingly bitter disagreement over the future of the University of Texas at Austin between University of Texas System regents' chairman Gene Powell and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini is ratcheting up the ongoing debate surrounding higher education in Texas. Full Story 

• Jeff Sandefer Opens Up on Higher Ed Debate

  By Reeve Hamilton May 2, 2011

  Jeff Sandefer, the author of the "seven breakthrough solutions" that have rocked the Texas higher education community, has broken his silence on the matter. Full Story 

• Texas Politicians Vary on Who Gets Credit for Bin Laden Death

  By Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith May 2, 2011

  When it comes to acknowledging those responsible for bringing down Osama bin Laden — which politicians are understandably eager to do — there is a noticeable inconsistency in whom Texas' leaders are choosing to mention in their official statements. Full Story 

• Is Poverty, Not Teacher Quality or Charters, Key to Student Outcomes?

  By Reeve Hamilton May 2, 2011

  Michael Marder, the co-director of the University of Texas' UTeach program, which trains secondary school math and science teachers, looks at public education data and explains the significance of poverty, why he thinks charter schools are not necessarily the answer and how public education is like a Boeing airplane. Full Story 

• Highlights: TPPF's Higher Ed Reform Panel

  By Reeve Hamilton May 1, 2011

  At a panel hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, UT president Bill Powers, TPPF senior fellow Ronbald Trowbridge and speaker of the A&M faculty senate Robert Strawser discuss the conservative think tank's seven proposed reforms to higher education. Full Story 

• UT, A&M Offer New Way to Graduate — From High School

  By Reeve Hamilton May 1, 2011

  The University of Texas and Texas A&M University are working on a system that will allow high school students who demonstrate sufficient competency in English, math, science, a social science and a foreign language to receive a certificate that can be traded for a high school diploma at any time. Full Story