When Evan Smith helped launch the nonprofit Texas Tribune in 2009, he set out to get people engaged in their government again, especially in places where newspaper coverage has dwindled. The Tribune introduced blogs, multimedia, troves of government data, and something old-fashioned for an online news startup: face-to-face conversations.
State Rep. John Zerwas and state Sen. Charles Schwertner join Texas Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw for a conversation on the state of health care in Texas. The Republican lawmakers — all doctors — will discuss the state's spiraling health care costs and the future of Texas' Medicaid program, in light of directives from federal health reform.
The Tribune is pleased to partner with Rice University's Baker Institute on a daylong symposium on the state of public education in Texas. Topics of discussion will include school choice, teacher quality, accountability and standardized testing.
Speakers include Sen. DAN PATRICK, Chairman of Public Education Committee; state Rep. JIMMIE DON AYCOCK, chairman of the House Public Education Committee; MARGARET SPELLINGS andROD PAIGE, former U.S. Secretaries of Education; GAYLE FALLON, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers;SUSAN KELLNER, vice president of Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment; and former Texas Education Commissioners ROBERT SCOTT, MIKE MOSES and JIM NELSON. Click 'More Information' below for full program.
The Tribune Festival's On the Road series is hosted by universities across the state. This event will take place at Rice University in Houston.
Date
Time
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location
Baker Institute Rice University, Houston, TX 77005
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The Hot Seat: Waco - Featuring Sen. Brian Birdwell, Rep. Charles "Doc Anderson" and Rep. Kyle Kacal
Join us for a light lunch and discussion about the 83rd legislative session with state Rep. Doc Anderson, R-Waco, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, and state Rep. Kyle Kacal, R-College Station.
The Hot Seat conversation series is hosted by universities across the state. This event will take place at Baylor University.
Date
Time
11:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Conversation begins promptly at noon
Location
Stone Room at the Ferrell Center 1900 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, TX 76706
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Reps. Rafael Anchía and Larry Gonzales join the Tribune's Julián Aguilar for a conversation about how surging Hispanic population growth in Texas will affect immigration policy, education and the GOP's effort to make inroads with Latino voters.
Date
Time
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. The conversation will begin promptly at 8 am.
Location
The Austin Club 110 E. Ninth St., Austin, TX 78701
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