state government

Death Sentence Thrown Out in 2005 Murder Case

By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News June 13, 2012

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned a death sentence for Manuel Velez, citing inaccurate testimony during Velez's sentencing. Full Story
Inside Intelligence: About Those Election Results...

By Ross Ramsey June 12, 2012

For this week's nonscientific survey of governmental and political insiders, we asked about the election results, about Joe Straus' chances for another term as speaker, about who might replace David Dewhurst as presiding officer of the Senate, and about who'll control that selection. Full Story
In Some State Agencies, Concern Over Revolving-Door Policies

By Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media June 12, 2012

State employees leaving jobs with the state of Texas to work for the very industries they regulated is legal and commonplace. But as Dave Fehling of KUHF News reports for StateImpact Texas, critics say the state's ethics laws on the matter are too lax. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Early STAAR Results Are as Expected, TEA Says

By Minjae Park June 8, 2012

In initial results from the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, just more than half of students working on a ninth-grade level met the passing standards for writing, while 87 percent passed biology. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Uyen Le
After Juneteenth Project Stalls, a Replacement Emerges for State Capitol

By Minjae Park June 8, 2012

A Juneteenth monument was built for the Capitol, but it won't be installed after all. Concerns were raised about the design of one of the statues as well as historical inaccuracies. A new monument is coming to the Capitol instead. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
Sunset Commission: TDCJ Can Improve in Efficiency, Communication

By Holly Heinrich June 5, 2012

The Sunset Advisory Commission found that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has room for improvement. The commission on Tuesday discussed accountability, budgetary efficiency, response to inmate grievances and communication. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
State Agencies Ordered to Propose Budget Cuts

By Ross Ramsey June 5, 2012

The Legislative Budget Board — headed by House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst — is asking state agencies to assume they'll have 10 percent less to spend in the next budget than they have now. Full Story
A House of Strangers Calls for a Shrewd Leader

By Ross Ramsey June 4, 2012

Races for speaker of the House are based on relationships. How does that work when there are so many freshmen and sophomore members in the House? Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
TribLive: Branch and TMF on Hughes vs. Straus

By Evan Smith June 1, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, discussed the prospect of a Speaker's race leading up to the 2013 legislative session. Full Story
Updated: State Rep. Ken Legler Passes Away

By Aman Batheja June 1, 2012

State Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena, has passed away, according to the House speaker's office. He was 54. Full Story
TribLive: Branch and TMF on Straus and the Primaries

By Evan Smith June 1, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, discussed whether Tuesday's primaries were a referendum on Speaker of the House Joe Straus. Full Story
House Departures Take a Bite Out of Criminal Justice

By Brandi Grissom June 1, 2012

For years they’ve been the Butch and Sundance of Texas criminal justice policy. Republican state Rep. Jerry Madden and Democrat state Sen. John Whitmire have helped lead a sea change in the adult and juvenile prison systems. But the team is breaking up. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
Davis to Law Enforcement: Report Rape Kit Backlog

By Minjae Park May 30, 2012

State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, and the Department of Public Safety are sending a reminder message to Texas law enforcement agencies: They must follow a new state law requiring them to report their backlog of untested rape kits. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Despite Upsets, No Major Power Shift for SBOE

By Morgan Smith May 30, 2012

Despite losses for moderate Republican candidates in several open seats — and the ousting of three incumbents — the ideological control of the State Board of Education won't be much different after this election cycle. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Hughes Files for Speaker

By Ross Ramsey May 29, 2012

State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, filed papers saying he will run for speaker of the House in January, setting up another challenge for House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
TribLive: A Conversation with John Carona

By Evan Smith May 25, 2012

Full video of my May 24 TribLive conversation with state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas. Full Story
What If the Dew Don't?

By Ross Ramsey May 25, 2012

A lot of people are rooting for David Dewhurst in the race for U.S. Senate — some because it would create a top political job opening in Texas. What if he loses? It would spoil a lot of ambitions. Full Story

Credit: Michael Stravato
In Wealthy D-FW District, Truitt Fights Old Rival

By Aman Batheja May 25, 2012

State Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Southlake, is in a tight race against Giovanni Capriglione, a public equity manager running against her for the second time. Throughout the race, she has played up her image as a tough fighter. Full Story
Like High School, With Money

By Ross Ramsey May 25, 2012

Does the John Carona-Dan Patrick spat help either senator's hopes of becoming the next lieutenant governor? Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Jeff Heimsath / Bob Daemmrich
Texas Weekly Newsreel: Patrick-Carona Feud

By Justin Dehn May 25, 2012

The Patrick-Carona feud, and a list of people facing very tough career reviews this month. Full Story