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
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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Water levels have dropped at Lake Travis because the drought, May 16 2011.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The bill that was supposed to pay for Texas' water plan suffered a setback in the House on Monday night, leaving state leaders with a narrow set of options.
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The Texas Tribune Festival 2012 Opening Session: A Conversation with Gov. Rick Perry and Evan Smith, Sept. 21, 2012.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: With just four weeks left in the legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry has jumped into the fight over spending billions on water, transportation and business tax cuts.
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photo by: Filipa Rodrigues/KUT
George W. Bush speaking at the dedication of the Bush Presidential Center on the SMU Campus in Dallas
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The George W. Bush Presidential Center is Texas' third presidential library. Will the accumulation of all that policy history give the state a boost on the national political scene?
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Former President George W. Bush speaks at the "topping out" ceremony at the construction site of the George Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University on October 3, 2011.
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The resuscitation of George W. Bush's legacy began Thursday with the dedication of his presidential library in Dallas.
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photo by: Filipa Rodrigues/KUT News
Cowboy boots on display at the Bush Presidential museum
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will be dedicated Thursday, displays Bush's presidential legacy. But what's his legacy as Texas governor?
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Erica Grieder, author of the new book Big, Hot, Cheap, and Right: What America Can Learn from the Strange Genius of Texas, on why she's defending the "Texas miracle."
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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: With lawmakers running out of time to get legislation to the governor's desk, we take a look at the procedural maze that keeps most bills from even getting a vote.
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photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Plenty of lobbyists are running around the Capitol during the legislative session, but as we enter the digital age, more of the lobbying is taking place on social media.
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: As Texas lawmakers move to reform the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, we look at what the agency has accomplished so far.
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photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Texas lawmakers are poised to spend billions out of the state's Rainy Day Fund, but some say tapping the fund will lower the state's bond rating. So what's the truth?
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photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Corey Leopold
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Lawmakers want to spend billions to repair the state's crumbling roads, but that's putting some Republican leaders in a bind.
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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: A guide to the week ahead in the Legislature, which is set to debate bills on guns in schools and the Texas Ethics Commission.
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: While there's still plenty of time and bill debates left in the 2013 session, many lawmakers are already looking ahead to the next election cycle.
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On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: As Texas lawmakers work to reform the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, we take a look back at how the institute was created in the first place.
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