Campaign Chatter
As expected, state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, will run for Congress next year instead of for re-election to the Texas Senate. He's not alone: Candidates are popping up all over the state. Full Story
The latest Joaquin Castro news from The Texas Tribune.
As expected, state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, will run for Congress next year instead of for re-election to the Texas Senate. He's not alone: Candidates are popping up all over the state. Full Story
While Gov. Rick Perry and his supporters prayed in Houston, several hundred protesters rallied against him at the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and others said the governor was cynically using his "Prayerpalooza" to launch his presidential campaign. Full Story
The legislative session is over, the new maps have been drawn, and candidates are starting to make their decisions about whether to run, and for what offices. Full Story
A senior member of Texas’ congressional delegation wants to strip the Obama administration of its immigration enforcement duties, alleging the president is attempting to create a “backdoor” amnesty for illegal immigrants. Full Story
This week on the TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve, and Ben talk about the beginning of campaign season and which races to watch. Full Story
San Antonio State Rep. Joaquin Castro will take on veteran U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to vie for a newly-created congressional district that spans from San Antonio up to southern Travis County. Full Story
Only 16 percent of Latino adults have an associate's degree or higher — compared to 33 percent of the total working-aged population in Texas. The national average is 38 percent. Full Story
While you were sleeping last night, lawmakers in the Texas House were engaged in a passionate debate over "pansexual" politics that nearly killed the entire fiscal matters bill, which is pretty much the main reason they're having a special session. Trust us — this is must-see video. Full Story
According to researchers, Texas taxpayers would save about $57 million per year if the state cut its teen birth rate. But as Gretch Sanders of KUT News reports, proposed legislation to curb the state’s teen pregnancy problem — and save taxpayer dollars — hasn’t gotten much traction. Full Story
The House tentatively passed a bill to provide students who have demonstrated college readiness with priority access to TEXAS Grants, the state's primary need-based financial aid program. Full Story
To state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, State Farm is no good neighbor. After a judge ruled against the insurance giant on Monday, he dropped the home and car insurance policies he's held with the company since 2000. Full Story
A bill that would change the system for distributing TEXAS Grants — the state's primary need-based aid program — by creating a new priority system passed the Senate today by a vote of 24-7. Full Story
High school and college students from across Texas came to the Capitol today to talk sex ed with lawmakers. Full Story
Texas lawmakers, out to protect their interests this session, appear to be ratcheting up their rhetoric. Politics as usual or a serious lapse in civil discourse? Full Story
On Wednesday night, the LBJ Future Forum presented a conversation with six members of the Texas House about the future of Texas. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly moderated. Full Story
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
State Democratic lawmakers responded to Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State address Tuesday, calling his budget proposals a "Ponzi scheme." Full Story
State Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, is looking to shake up the way Texas trains, educates and certifies public school counselors. Full Story
Police at the Capitol say the state's lawmakers and their guests will be safe under the pink dome as the 82nd Legislature gets underway tomorrow. But lawmakers are encouraging vigilance after the Arizona shooting this weekend that left a congresswoman critically injured and 14 others dead. Full Story
Democratic state lawmakers warned Monday of the "dangerous" cuts to public and higher education that are likely as the Legislature prepares to address a massive budget shortfall. Full Story