School Funding in Two Charts
In constant dollars, total public education funding lags behind 2006 levels.
Full StoryIn constant dollars, total public education funding lags behind 2006 levels.
Full StoryThe two candidates plus the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC have spent a combined seven-figure sum since Jan. 1.
Full StoryAlso, the Senate Finance chief files a graduate medical education bill and more ominous news on oil prices.
Full StoryFor this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about tax cuts, vaccinations and House committees.
Key meetings and events for the coming week.
Full StoryAnd when there are hurricanes, when there is flooding, who gets hit the worst? The people on the poor side of town.
Alfredo Padilla of Carrizo Springs, in The New York Times on a survey that finds Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to see global warming as something that impacts them personally
It’s one of the selling points, if you will, to the American people as they decide who’s going to follow Barack Obama. I think they’re going to make a rather radical shift, away from a young, untested United States senator whose policies have really failed.
Rick Perry, answering a question from The Texas Tribune and the Washington Post on what sets him apart from fellow potential presidential candidate Ted Cruz
People occasionally throw rocks in politics. That’s his choice. I’m going to say I think he did a good and effective job as governor of our state.
Cruz, reacting Sunday on CNN to Perry's jibe
I look forward to smashing your bill into the ground in the name of LIBERTY!
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, in a Facebook post critical of colleague Jason Villalba's legislative push to limit vaccination exemptions
He can think whatever he wants. I think Stickland's shtick is wearing thin on a lot of people.
State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on colleague Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on his suggestion that an open carry bill was referred to the homeland security committee, on which Nevárez serves as vice chairman, in order to have the bill killed
An external review released Thursday on lawmaker and regent influence at the University of Texas at Austin found that campus President Bill Powers has helped secure college admittance for some students over the objections of the admissions office. UT System Chancellor Bill McRaven later said that he'd be taking no disciplinary action against Powers or any other university officials.
The Senate State Affairs Committee passed bills on Thursday that would lift a ban on concealed handguns at university campuses and allow license holders to carry holstered handguns openly. Both measures passed 7-2, with the committee's two Democrats voting against, and now proceed to the full Senate.
House budget writers heard from leadership at the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard on the status of the surge aimed at stopping illegal border crossings. What lawmakers heard was that rotating officers through the Valley wears them out and that Guard troops want more predictability for their lengths of deployment.
Officials with the TxDOT and Xerox surprised senators Wednesday by reporting that 30,000 drivers with valid TxTag accounts were erroneously mailed bills for using the state’s toll roads.
Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Texas Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.
Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed fellow Republican Nunzio Previtera in Tuesday's special runoff election in the Bexar County-based House District 123. Previtera, a State Republican Executive Committee member, faces off against a former San Antonio Councilman, Diego Bernal, in the runoff.
Lisa Craven has been named the comptroller's designee to the State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) advisory committee. She is currently Comptroller Glenn Hegar's chief of staff.
Trey Newton has left the General Land Office — where he was deputy commissioner and chief of staff — to return to consulting work. Newton, who was previously senior adviser to the George P. Bush campaign, said, “The reality is I was only going to be around for transition, maybe for session. This was planned all along.” What accelerated his decision, he said, “was that 2016 started early this year.”
Pamela McPeters is stepping down next week as chief of staff for state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, after 13 years. She is leaving to become director of public policy for the Texas Association for the Protection of Children (TexProtects). Dukes has tapped Ariane Marion to succeed McPeters as chief of staff.