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News For May, 2010

  • Here Comes the Sun

    By Elise Hu

    The state Division of Workers' Compensation has uncovered "tens of millions of dollars in unnecessary medical care" in the last several years, but its commissioner failed to sanction the doctors involved, a key former employee told members of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Tuesday night. Full Story 

  • The Nativists Are Restless

    By Ross Ramsey

    Texans narrowly oppose a "pathway to citizenship" for illegal immigrants, strongly favor an end to in-state tuition for non-citizens at state colleges and universities, would support a constitutional "English-only" amendment and overwhelmingly say that businesses should verify the immigration status of their workers, according to the new UT/Texas Tribune poll. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Jacob Villanueva

  • Gaming the Systems

    By Reeve Hamilton

    Should we base the funding of state universities on course completion rather than enrollment? The commissioner of higher education says yes. Some state lawmakers say no — not until we attack the manipulation of the financing formula by the higher ed lobby. Full Story 

    Rep. Mike Villarreal during New Day Rising.
    Credit: Muliadi Soenaryo

  • TribBlog: W. is for Wind

    By Kate Galbraith

    Former President George W. Bush appeared in rousing, joke-cracking form in a rare speech this morning the American Wind Energy Association's conference in Dallas. He praised Texas wind energy, bashed the media, refused to bash his successor and said his grandchildren will be driving electric cars. He also gave away the first line of his forthcoming memoir, a quote from his wife that got him to quit drinking. Full Story 

    George Bush
    Credit: Eric Draper

  • A Lousy Grade

    By Ross Ramsey

    More than two-thirds of Texans say their confidence in the state's public schools ranges from shaky to nonexistent, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. A majority of Texans believe that crime, low academic standards, lack of parental involvement and not enough funding are "major" problems that public schools face — but two-thirds say "too much religion in the schools" is not a problem. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Jacob Villanueva

  • Justice Delayed

    By Brandi Grissom

    Death row inmate Hank Skinner bought himself some time Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to address whether he can bring a federal civil rights lawsuit instead of making a habeas corpus claim. But legal experts say he's unlikely to escape his ultimate punishment. Full Story 

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    Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

  • Guest Column: For Arizona

    By Leo Berman

    If the federal law was enforced, there would be no need for an Arizona law or any other law in a state that is proposing similar legislation. Full Story 

    State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler

  • TribBlog: TAB Joins Workers' Comp Debate

    By Elise Hu

    The state's largest business group is opposing proposed recommendations to change up the review process for unscrupulous workers' comp doctors, a process at the center of the controversy over how the Division of Workers' Compensation operates. Full Story 

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  • TribBlog: Workers' Comp War of Words

    By Elise Hu

    As lawmakers on the Sunset Advisory Commission prepare to publicly review the Division of Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, the Commissioner and his former physician fraud investigator are waging a war of words in their letters to lawmakers. Full Story 

    April 29, 2010. Dr. Ken Ford at his Houston home.
    Credit: Nathan Lindstrom

  • TribBlog: Gambling 101

    By Ross Ramsey

    Coming soon to a large pink state capitol building in this very state: A day-long seminar on slot machines and casinos and all that, especially as it pertains to the state budget. Full Story 

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