Ben Philpott
is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin's National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has 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 Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
bphilpott@texastribune.org
512-716-8685
Recent Contributions
Crowds of visitors, lobbyists, and lawmakers turned out to the Texas capitol for the opening day of the 83rd legislative session, Jan. 8, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Budget negotiators may have hit another speed bump, and we answer your questions about the session.
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photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Another week, another series of legislative deadlines and another edition of Bill Kill.
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photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie speaks with Rep. Todd Hunter R-Corpus Christi and Rep. Abel Herrero D-Robstown on House floor before voting on HB 10 February 21st, 2013
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: A look at how quickly things can change in the waning days of a Texas legislative session.
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photo by: Marjorie K Cotera
Senate Finance Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, holds a copy of the state budget on the Senate floor March 20, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Several twists and turns marked Thursday's budget negotiations, and major sticking points remain.
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Rep. John Zerwas, M.D. (R-Simonton) talks with a colleague about the sonogram bill HB15 on March 2, 2011.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Efforts to include Texas in the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid have come down to a single budget rider.
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State Rep. Hubert Vo, l, D-Alief, and Chairman state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, vote to table an amendment to SB 1 on April 4, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: A plan to fund future water infrastructure projects in Texas may be back from the dead.
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: As another round of deadlines in the Capitol approaches, several legislative priorities are still unresolved.
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photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie speaks with Rep. Todd Hunter R-Corpus Christi and Rep. Abel Herrero D-Robstown on House floor before voting on HB 10 February 21st, 2013
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Deadlines in the Texas House have come and gone. Now lawmakers are left to pick up the pieces for next session, or to find another way to get their bills passed.
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President Barack Obama greets Manor New Tech students after his remarks at the technology high school on May 9, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama's trip to Austin was all about jobs, but it also inevitably highlighted Democratic efforts to turn Texas into a battleground state.
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Gov. Rick Perry, left, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Perry's State of the State address on Jan. 29, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama's visit to Austin on Thursday as part of a new jobs tour has again put the state's economy in the spotlight.
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The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Water, transportation and education were priorities at the beginning of this year's legislative session, but how much progress has been made on each?
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Crowds of visitors, lobbyists, and lawmakers turned out to the Texas capitol for the opening day of the 83rd legislative session, Jan. 8, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Only about 20 percent of bills filed during a legislative session make it to the governor's desk — and the deadlines that kill off many of those bills are coming this week.
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The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Tea Party lawmakers helped kill a major water bill on Monday, but that's one of a small number of victories during a session many thought the more conservative wing of the GOP would flourish.
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Guns at McBride's Guns Inc. in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: House lawmakers on Saturday will take up several gun-rights bills, including controversial legislation that would allow firearms on college campuses.
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House Speaker Joe Straus gavels out the ceremonial first session of the Texas House 83rd Session on January 8, 2013
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: We look at the ways Texas lawmakers use legislative technicalities — or points of order — to derail legislation they don't like.
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