Texplainer: What Happened to SO 6?
The DMV numbers and assigns each plate to each state office, from the governor on down. So how come I've never seen State Official 6 on the road? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/texplainer-sponsoredTAMU.png)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
What's at Stake in the Texas-Amazon Fight Over State Sales Taxes?
The fight over Amazon's taxes isn't just about the giant online retailer. State officials say Texas is losing $600 million annually on taxable items purchased online. And as they work to close a budget gap of up to $27 billion, they're chasing every penny. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/AmazonTexas4.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Cy-Fair Superintendent on Education Cuts
In an interview with KRLD's Scott Braddock in Dallas, David Anthony, the departing superintendent of the state's third-largest school district, said districts are in a "difficult situation" as they try to meet new student achievement measures while coping with cuts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Education-Funding.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Texas "On the Brink," Legislative Group Says
Texas' superlatives are nothing to brag about, according to the fifth edition of "Texas on the Brink," an annual review that ranks the state on dozens of factors ranging from health insurance to voter turnout. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasOnTheBrink.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Texplainer: Can the Lege Overrule Perry on Education Money?
Gov. Rick Perry has said he can't sign an application to receive $10 billion in federal education aid because it requires an assurance he cannot constitutionally make: that the Lege will not use the money to offset state funding of public education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryStateofState.jpg)
![Gov. Rick Perry delivering his State of the State address on Feb. 8, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Facing Massive Cuts, Agency Chiefs Remain "Good Soldiers"
They’re surely facing the worst budget cycle any of them have experienced. Yet in hours of testimony before lawmakers, the commissioners of Texas’ social services and education agencies appear largely unruffled. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Budget Cuts Trickle Down to Local Governments
One lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment blocking lawmakers from passing so-called unfunded mandates on to local governments. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, with billions of dollars set to be slashed from the state budget local agencies worry the costs will come anyway. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/020810-budgetfail.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Budget Cuts Trickle Down to Local Governments
One lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment blocking lawmakers from passing so-called unfunded mandates on to local governments. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, cities and counties worry the costs will come anyway. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/budgetcuts004.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Redistricting Lawsuit: Count Citizens Only
Redistricting doesn't start until next week, but the first lawsuit has already been filed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Redistricting.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson -
Howard Wins HD-48 Seat, Hartnett Says
Rep. Donna Howard won the HD-48 seat by four votes over Republican Dan Neil, according to state Rep. Will Hartnett, R-Dallas. Hartnett was appointed to investigate their election after Neil challenged the results. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DanAndDonnaHouseFloor.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Bill Would Prevent Immigration Inquiries by Peace Officers
Freshman state Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, filed SB 600 on Friday, which would prevent law enforcement from asking the immigration status or nationality of a witness to or victim of a crime “except as necessary to investigate the offense.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/20100626_Jose_Rodriguez_S.S._040.jpg)
![State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, on June 26, 2010, at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
The Week in Texas Politics Recap: 2/7 to 2/11
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-11_at_2.34.19_PM.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Community Colleges Uneasy as Ax Hangs Over Health Benefits
The Legislature’s initial budget proposals to close four community colleges caught many lawmakers off guard. But what largely escaped their attention — the slashing of health benefits across all such institutions — concerns community college officials the most. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Community-CollegeDay.jpg)
![Brandon Demings sits in the Senate gallery on Community College Day at the Texas Capitol. He says students at Kilgore College are already feeling the pinch of state budget cuts.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Governor's Symbolic Cuts and His Real Ones
The proposed budget cuts Gov. Rick Perry laid out in his State of the State speech are more symbolic than lucrative and trivialize the cuts that are being made elsewhere in state services and programs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasArt_LongHorn.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
For Senate Democrats, Abortion Bill Reveals Split
Unlike the debate over voter ID, in which Senate Democrats stood united in their opposition, a combination of politics, religion and personal histories have made the sonogram bill more divisive in their caucus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Sonograms_Catholics_2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Texas Already Has a $10,000 Degree — But for How Long?
Gov. Rick Perry has challenged Texas universities to develop a bachelor’s degree costing no more than $10,000, books included. As it turns out, there already is a $10,000 bachelor’s degree here — and the Legislature may be on the verge of eliminating it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasPublicTuitionGraphic.012.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Becca Aaronson -
The Texas Tribune Weekly TribCast: Ep 66
This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Reeve, and Ben mulling over the State of the State, the new House committee assignments, and the politics of abortion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
David Dunn: The TT Interview
The executive director of the Texas Charter Schools Association talks with The Texas Tribune about how cuts in education funding will hit charter schools hardest, and how they can partner with traditional public school districts in "win-win"arrangements — like sharing facilities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-09_at_2.41.18_PM.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Advocates: Prison Health Cuts Will Prompt Lawsuits
Health care in Texas prisons is already so abysmal it borders on being unconstitutional, according to a report released today by the Texas Civil Rights Project. The cuts lawmakers are now considering, they said, will almost certainly spark lawsuits that could cost Texas more money than it would spend to simply improve the system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/prisoners_CM.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
House Committees Named
Speaker Joe Straus appointed members to committees today, shuffling the assignments in a Texas House where one in four members is a freshman and where Republicans have a two-to-one numerical advantage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Straus_Happy.jpg)
![House Speaker Joe Straus, R-Alamo Heights, in January 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac59f25ab80de3bd6ef9926a622bfba1/BD%20INC%20Thomas%20Suehs%202010)