Guides

Hey, Texplainer: Why are the Texas runoffs being held nine weeks — rather than the usual three to six weeks — after the end of the first balloting? Full Story 

A Texas Monthly blog post last week ignited controversy over University of Texas President Bill Powers' future at the university — and raised questions about who decides whether he stays or goes. The answer? It's not one person's decision. Full Story 

The announcement earlier this month that a bachelor’s degree was available at Texas A&M University-San Antonio for less than $10,000 was met with understandable enthusiasm. But it may only be available for a very small group. Full Story 

The death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has put self-defense laws like Florida's into focus. What does Texas law say about using deadly force in self-defense? Full Story 

Why did Gov. Rick Perry opt out of the National Governors Association conference last weekend? The answer is part penny-wise, part political. Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: Courts of inquiry have been used to exonerate wrongfully convicted Texans and to look at earlier cases. When does a judge call for a court of inquiry, and what else can judges review in these proceedings? Full Story 

Supporters of business tycoon Donald Trump have filed paperwork to establish the Make America Great Again Party so that "The Donald" might still be able to run for president here. Could he actually win Texas? Full Story 

Could the state’s public universities go through the so-called sunset review process, forcing them to periodically defend their existence to state legislators? Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: One of the federal agencies Rick Perry managed to remember during Wednesday's GOP debate is the U.S. Department of Education. He says he wants to close it. But what exactly would that mean? Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: What will happen to Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams now that the video of him beating his then 16-year-old daughter has gone viral? Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: With several states racing to move up their primaries, will my vote even matter when Texas holds its primary? Yes, at least for every candidate other than the ones running for president — and maybe for them, too. Full Story 

Gov. Rick Perry has said the Rainy Day Fund should be preserved as an insurance policy against natural disasters, but Texas can't actually dip into it until the next legislative session — in 2013. Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: Why does the Texas Constitution have so many amendments? The way it's written makes it both fairly easy to amend and highly restrictive in the powers it grants, making frequent and often highly specific changes necessary. Full Story 

Texans for Rick Perry, his state campaign committee, listed $2.1 million in cash on hand at the end of June, according to its most recent filing. But Perry can't touch it for his just-launched presidential campaign. Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: Gene Powell, the chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, is out raising money for Perry's presidential campaign. Is that okay? Full Story 

In the wake of well-documented budget woes, the state Legislature took a more than 9 percent chunk out of higher education in the recent session. Some institutions have now raised tuition, and others may soon do the same. Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: Who becomes governor if both Rick Perry and David Dewhurst are elected to other offices? Citizens, meet state Sen. Mike Jackson. Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: What are the State Comptroller’s Events Trust Funds, and how do they work? Full Story 

Hey, Texplainer: How much does the Texas Capitol recycle during a legislative session? During this session, 72 tons of paper, plastic and aluminum, bringing in $12,000 to the fund that maintains state buildings. Full Story 

Hey Texplainer: What happens to the bills that Perry doesn't sign or veto? Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed and signed a multitude of bills this year, but to date there have been 27 he allowed to become law by default. Full Story