TribWire

Poverty takes root in Austin’s suburbs

From 2000 to 2011, the Austin metro area saw the nation’s second-fastest increase in the number of poor people living in the suburbs, according to a new book to be released Monday which describes poverty dramatically shifting from America’s inner cities to the suburbs and which calls on policymakers to rethink how they respond to poverty.

Ill will over bills

And that's exactly the path Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, is taking as part of a grudge match with Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston. Keeping true to her word, McClendon spiked four of Huffman's bills that hit the House floor Monday — just days after using a procedural move to tank another Huffman proposal.

Why Texas Makes Kindergarteners Take Standardized Tests

High stakes testing is a hot button issue in public education. State lawmakers are poised to scale back tests in high school. But some parents are worried about tests for younger kids — as young as kindergarten.

High Plains Aquifer Dwindles, Hurting Farmers

Forty-nine years ago, Ashley Yost’s grandfather sank a well deep into a half-mile square of rich Kansas farmland. He struck an artery of water so prodigious that he could pump 1,600 gallons to the surface every minute.

Texas budget deal struck, but will Perry approve?

A deal on a Texas budget is finally done. Now the Legislature must withstand one final and furious week without sinking a compromise that restores nearly $4 billion to public schools and puts more water in the pipeline amid a historic drought.

Bill-passing flurry expected in final week

With just a week to go in the 140-day legislative session, a last-minute flurry of passing bills gears up Monday as legislative leaders move to tie the final bow on the state budget and send legislation to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature.

Jeffrey Nugent says his brother Ted Nugent is wrong on background checks

And I agree with Ted that our constitutional right to bear arms should not be undermined. I want all those who are qualified to purchase a gun to be able to do so. But — and here is where I part ways with my brother — not everyone is qualified to own a gun, so expanded background checks should be a legislative priority.

Dallas council candidate Philip Kingston took Democratic oath but has GOP history

y most measures, Philip Kingston’s voting history indicates that he’s a Republican. The Dallas City Council candidate has also given to GOP causes, including the Maverick PAC founded by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and led by George P. Bush, both Republicans. But this year, Kingston, who’s in a runoff for the District 14 seat, suddenly signed an oath declaring himself a Democrat.

GOP senators stave off primary foes

The iced tea summit is indicative of the new, more aggressive tactics being employed by Republican senators to fend off primary foes in 2014. Instead of waiting for insurgents to catch them asleep at the switch, GOP incumbents running in 2014 — like Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Pat Roberts of Kansas and John Cornyn of Texas — are acting early and proactively to ensure no serious challenger emerges.

Texas bill would drastically revamp water agency

New revisions to a major water bill calls for ousting the six-member Texas Water Development Board and its top official before the state embarks on a new $2 billion fund to provide low-interest loans for projects.