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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Ben Philpott Contributing Reporter

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Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin's National Public Radio affiliate. Ben has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he's been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club, and the Texas AP Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ben graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.

bphilpott@texastribune.org
512-232-5418

Recent Contributions

The Bill and Farouk Show

by Ben Philpott  |  3 hours ago

The leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates debated last night in Fort Worth. Bill White and Farouk Shami tried to highlight their differences and to give voters a reason why they should consider electing a governor from their party for the first time in 20 years. Ben Philpott, covering the 2010 elections for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

Farouk Shami in His Own Words

by Ben Philpott  |  2/4/2010

Does the Democratic gubernatorial candidate think his ethnicity will be an obstacle to winning?

Barack the Knife

by Ben Philpott  |  2/3/2010

What happens in Washington doesn't stay in Washington. Lawmakers, industry leaders and special interest groups are studying President Obama’s 2010 budget to figure out how spending cuts and other changes at the federal level could impact Texas. Ben Philpott, who's covering politics and public policy for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

D is for Democrats

by Ben Philpott  |  2/1/2010

Dallas County — the first big county in Texas to flip from red to blue, back in 2006 — is a must-win for Democrats vying for statewide office. Ben Philpott, covering the 2010 elections for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

No Knockout

by Ben Philpott  |  1/30/2010

At the second debate between the three Republicans running for governor, the incumbent was on the defense, while his challengers tried their best to score points without making mistakes. Ben Philpott, who’s covering the race for KUT News and the Tribune, reports on how the hour-long event could affect the final month of campaigning.

Help Behind Bars

by Ben Philpott  |  1/29/2010

Experts from across the country were at the Texas Capitol this week to talk about an increase in the number of children in the nation’s juvenile justice system diagnosed with mental health problems. Ben Philpott, who's covering Texas politics and policy for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

The Big Haggle

by Ben Philpott  |  1/28/2010

Lawmakers have begun the long process of reviewing the state's rules on arbitration — in particular, the way it's used in complaints between homebuilders and owners. Ben Philpott, who covers politics and policy for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

Speak to Me

by Ben Philpott  |  1/27/2010

In his State of the Union message tonight, Barack Obama is expected to touch on dozens of topics, including the subjects of two high-priority and high-drama bills currently before lawmakers: health care and cap and trade. Ben Philpott, who's covering Texas politics for KUT News and the Tribune, reports on what some interested Texans would like to hear the President say.

Their State of the State

by Ben Philpott  |  1/26/2010

Governors across the country have been delivering their state report cards in January — but not in Texas, where the State of the State address is only given during odd-numbered years, when the Legislature is in session. Ben Philpott, reporting on politics for KUT News and the Tribune, asked people from different sectors of the economy to offer their own outlook for Texas in 2010.

The Comeback of Corporate Cash

by Ben Philpott  |  1/22/2010

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in a federal campaign finance case could have an immediate affect on state elections here in Texas, where a ban on corporate contributions has been on the books. Ben Philpott, who's covering the governor's race for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this report.

The Spigot Turns On

by Ross Ramsey and Ben Philpott  |  1/22/2010

The U.S. Supreme Court freed corporations and unions from a century-old ban on political spending Thursday, ruling that restrictions on their electioneering expenditures violate their First Amendment Rights. Ramsey explains what the ruling says; Philpott, covering politics for KUT News and the Tribune, reports on how it will affect a state like Texas, which has long had a corporate cash ban in effect.

Sharon Keller Might Walk

by Ben Philpott  |  1/21/2010

The Chief Justice of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals should not be reprimanded for actions that led to the execution of a death row inmate in 2007: That's the opinion of the judge who presided over her ethics trial last year. Ben Philpott, reporting for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this story.

Debate Differences

by Ben Philpott  |  1/15/2010

Three candidates for the Republican Party nomination for Governor faced off last night in the first debate of the 2010 election. It’s been months since Governor Rick Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced they’d be running for governor in 2010. The campaign machinery for both have been pumping out information throughout 2009. But for many voters – last night’s debate was their first chance to kick the tires and figure out how the candidates stand on a handful of topics. Ben Philpott, who's covering the Texas governor's race for KUT News and the Texas Tribune, reports on what differences emerged from last night’s debate.

Postcard from the Pre-Game Show

by Ben Philpott  |  1/14/2010

Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina will meet on stage tonight at the University of North Texas campus in Denton for the first gubernatorial debate. While their interplay will only last an hour, putting the show together took weeks, with dozens of people working on details from set design to question preparation. Ben Philpott, who’s covering the governor’s race for KUT News and the Tribune, filed this audio postcard featuring people who make a career out of getting ready for the big night.

The Pre-Game Show

by Ross Ramsey and Ben Philpott  |  1/14/2010

The three Republicans who want to be governor of Texas — Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Debra Medina — meet in their first debate tonight in Denton (and on statewide television and radio), each hoping to ignite support for the March 2 primary election.