Reeve Hamilton Reporter

Reeve Hamilton covers higher education and politics for The Texas Tribune and hosts the Tribune's weekly podcast. His writing has also appeared in Texas Monthly and The Texas Observer. Born in Houston and raised in Massachusetts, he has a bachelor's degree in English from Vanderbilt University.

rhamilton@texastribune.org
512-716-8623

Recent Contributions

House Signals Approval for Campus Construction Bonds

Students cross a bridge over a resaca on the University of Texas Brownsville and Texas Southmost College campuses on Monday.
Students cross a bridge over a resaca on the University of Texas Brownsville and Texas Southmost College campuses on Monday.

The Texas House gave tentative approval to billions of dollars in bonds for campus construction projects on Monday. The version it approved totaled nearly $2.7 billion, up from about $2.4 billion initially approved by the Senate.

House Approves South Texas University Compromise Bill

State Rep. Renee Oliveira, D-Brownsville, votes yes on third reading of HB 1000 creating a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley on March 20, 2013.
State Rep. Renee Oliveira, D-Brownsville, votes yes on third reading of HB 1000 creating a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley on March 20, 2013.

The Texas House unanimously approved a bill on Friday that was amended to reflect a compromise struck by the Rio Grande Valley delegation that will create a new university and medical school in the region.

Cause of West Explosion Remains Unclear

State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy spoke during the West press conference at West High School and announced that the cause of the explosion is still undetermined.
State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy spoke during the West press conference at West High School and announced that the cause of the explosion is still undetermined.

The cause of the West fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people on April 17 has been ruled “undetermined,” officials announced at a press conference in the town's high school parking lot on Thursday.

 

Amended South Texas University Bill Passes Senate

State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, talks to a colleague on the Senate floor after being the only Democrat to vote yes on HB1 the state budget, which passed the Senate, 20-11 on May 28, 2011.
State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, talks to a colleague on the Senate floor after being the only Democrat to vote yes on HB1 the state budget, which passed the Senate, 20-11 on May 28, 2011.

The Texas Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a controversial committee substitute to House Bill 1000, which creates a new university and medical school in the Rio Grande Valley.

Coordinating Board Nears End of Tough Sunset Process

Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Raymund Paredes sits in the Senate gallery awaiting the end of the session on May 30, 2011.
Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Raymund Paredes sits in the Senate gallery awaiting the end of the session on May 30, 2011.

UPDATED: House lawmakers on Wednesday put their stamp of approval on a measure that would keep the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in business for another 12 years. But they tacked on a few more amendments. 

 

Martinez Fischer Grills UT System Regent in Hearing

University of Texas Regent Brenda Pejovich ponders a question at the Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations on May 14, 2013.
University of Texas Regent Brenda Pejovich ponders a question at the Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations on May 14, 2013.

During a tense meeting of the Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations on Tuesday, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer asked UT System Regent Brenda Pejovich about the controversy surrounding the system board's governance.

Fund for Veterans' Tuition Exemptions in the Works

Service members and their families from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, participate in the Veterans Day parade in San Angelo, Texas, Nov. 6, 2010.
Service members and their families from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, participate in the Veterans Day parade in San Angelo, Texas, Nov. 6, 2010.

Legislative leaders are working to establish a permanent endowment to help alleviate some of the financial costs public universities incur educating veterans and their family members, who are exempted from tuition and most fees.