state government

Analysis: When Right Doesn't Make Might

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 7, 2015

Republican challenges to sitting Republican speakers of the House could backfire on the renegades — showing them to be far less numerous or politically powerful than they previously appeared. Full Story

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, is shown at the annual alumni Aggie Muster on April 21, 2012, at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. — Credit: Lance Cpl. Catie D. Edwards

Top Texas Officials on Hand as Paxton is Sworn In

By Bobby Blanchard Jan. 5, 2015

Joined by many of Texas’ Republican elite as he was sworn in as the state’s attorney general on Monday, Ken Paxton said the state would have to guard against complacency. Full Story

Attorney General Ken Paxton gets a kiss from his wife, Angela, after he was sworn in on Jan. 5, 2015, in the Texas Senate chamber. — Credit: Bob Daemmrich

Special Elections for Central Texas Seats Draw Crowded Field

By Alexa Ura and Bobby Blanchard Jan. 5, 2015

Central Texas voters will return to the polls on Tuesday to fill three vacant legislative posts — one in the Senate and two in the House. Full Story

Article thumbnail — Credit: Brian Talbot

Inside Texas Politics: Looking Ahead

By John Jordan Jan. 4, 2015

On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey share some political predictions for 2015 with host Jason Whitely. Full Story

Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics on Jan. 4, 2015. — Credit: WFAA

The Playlist: The Best is Yet to Come

By John Jordan Jan. 3, 2015

For this week's playlist of the news, we’re using our reporters' own predictions for 2015. Kicking things off: “The Best Is Yet To Come,” by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, backed up by the Count Basie Orchestra. Full Story

Look Back at the 14-Year Tenure of Gov. Rick Perry

By Texas Tribune Staff Jan. 3, 2015

Check out our 10-part series examining the impact of Rick Perry, the state's longest-serving governor. Our reporters look closely at what Perry will probably be most remembered for, as well as his impact in various policy areas. Full Story

Ushering in Several Reforms, But Not Always Leading the Charge

By Terri Langford Jan. 2, 2015

Rick Perry will leave behind a criminal justice system in healthier shape than when he stepped in as governor. Terri Langford writes that how instrumental Perry was in improving it remains an open question. Full Story

Battles Near and Far Over Medicaid and More

By Alexa Ura and Edgar Walters Jan. 1, 2015

Gov. Rick Perry has championed private-market health care solutions and criticized public programs like Medicaid for being inefficient. Alexa Ura and Edgar Walters write about that and other notable health care issues that have come up during Perry's tenure. Full Story

Compassion, Tempered by a Broken System

By Julián Aguilar Jan. 1, 2015

Gov. Rick Perry has been outspoken in his frustration with the immigration system, Julián Aguilar writes. Perry says the system puts state lawmakers on the spot in deciding how to help Texans brought to the country illegally as children through no fault of their own. Full Story

A Toll Road Strategy That's "as Big as Texas"

By Aman Batheja Dec. 31, 2014

There's no doubt that Gov. Rick Perry has left his mark on the state’s approach to funding roads. Aman Batheja writes that under Perry's leadership, Texas has been the country’s most aggressive supporter of tolling and private-sector investment in transportation. Full Story

"Deal Closer" Funds Draw Bipartisan Concerns

By Aman Batheja Dec. 31, 2014

More than 100 firms have benefited from the Texas Enterprise Fund, the economic incentive program championed by Gov. Rick Perry to lure more jobs to Texas. Aman Batheja writes that Perry's office has nicknamed the fund “the deal closer,” but critics have a different name for it: slush fund. Full Story

Texas Air is Cleaner, but Who Deserves the Credit?

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Dec. 30, 2014

According to recent data, average levels of ozone — more commonly known as smog — decreased by nearly 25 percent in Texas between 2000 and 2013. But does the credit for cleaning up Texas air belong to Gov. Rick Perry? Neena Satija writes that opinions vary. Full Story

Texas Now Hands-Down Leader in Wind Power

By Jim Malewitz Dec. 30, 2014

When Gov. Rick Perry first took office, Texas’ wind energy sector hardly existed. But the state has since become the nation’s leader in wind energy generation, Jim Malewitz writes, and Perry — more commonly associated with oil and gas — helped steer that boom. Full Story

Leading a Push for Fundamental Change in Academic Affairs

By Reeve Hamilton Dec. 29, 2014

Higher education has often been at the forefront for Rick Perry during his time as governor. Reeve Hamilton writes that Perry has had clear influence on the state’s colleges and universities and has emerged as a strong critic of rising tuition. Full Story

Guarding State Control of Public Schools — With Money on the Line

By Morgan Smith Dec. 29, 2014

Protecting Texas' oversight of school classrooms against federal regulation has been the most prominent feature of Gov. Rick Perry’s approach to education. Full Story

Analysis: Skill or Luck, It Has Worked for Perry

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 29, 2014

Thirty years is a lot to attribute to mere luck. Like Rick Perry or not, his considerable political skills have sustained him throughout his career in state politics. Full Story

Gov. Rick Perry laughs at a question during the final keynote of 2014 TribFest. — Credit: Bob Daemmrich

Five — and a Half — Things We Won't Forget About Gov. Rick Perry

By Jay Root and Reeve Hamilton Dec. 28, 2014

Boiling down Gov. Rick Perry’s legacy into a few bullet points isn’t easy. But reporters Reeve Hamilton and Jay Root look at some things people will surely remember years after Perry has left office. Their feature kicks off our 10-part series, The Perry Legacy. Full Story

Analysis: With New Officeholders, a Possible Legislative Power Shift

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 26, 2014

The lieutenant governor used to be the most powerful official in state government, but with a record-setting term in the governor's office, Rick Perry moved that post into the top spot. With new people in the top jobs, will the power shift back? Full Story

Sen. Dan Patrick R-Houston, listens to Attorney General Greg Abbott during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Feb. 5, 2013. What will the balance of power look like between the incoming lieutenant governor and governor? — Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Roundup: Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Texas' Oil Futures

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn Dec. 26, 2014

This week in the Roundup: The fate of Texas’ same-sex marriage ban is in question, as is the state’s budget as oil prices continue to tumble. Meanwhile, South Texas counties plan to lobby lawmakers to allow them to negotiate mineral rights leases. Full Story

Old Ruling Keeps Counties From Tapping Oil Money to Fix Roads

By Bobby Blanchard Dec. 22, 2014

A 54-year-old state attorney general’s opinion keeps counties from making money on mineral leases under their roads. But officials say they need the money to fix the damage caused by oil field traffic. Full Story