Skip to main content

News For Tuesday, January 25, 2011

  • Texplainer: Is It Raining Yet?

    By Christopher Smith Gonzalez

    The Texas Constitution says that money from the Rainy Day Fund can be spent to “prevent or eliminate a temporary cash deficiency in general revenue.” With the state facing a budget shortfall estimated somewhere between $15 billion and $27 billion, some say if it ain't raining now, it ain't ever going to. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail

  • TribBlog: DPS Giving Drivers a Break

    By Brandi Grissom

    Some of the 1.2 million Texas drivers whose licenses have been suspended because they failed to pay expensive traffic ticket surcharges can catch a big break right now from the Department of Public Safety. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman

  • Managed Into the Red?

    By Emily Ramshaw

    Texas hospital administrators aren't thrilled about the 10 percent Medicaid provider rate cut included in the House's proposed budget. But what they fear more is the proposed expansion of Medicaid managed care, which could force them to forgo a combined $1 billion a year in federal funding. Full Story 

    Dr. Carlos Cardenas, chairman of the board at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, performs an exam on a patient on Wednesday December 8, 2010. Many Texas hospitals like this one oppose certain aspects of the proposed expansion of Medicaid managed care.
    Credit: Gabe Hernandez

  • Guest Column: Senator Dewhurst Is Not Inevitable

    By Evan Van Ness

    If the race to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison is over before it begins — if the lieutenant governor and his vast personal wealth have this locked up — why are so many credible candidates saying they'll run? Because they see an opportunity. Full Story 

    Governor Rick Perry, Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst after their first weekly breakfast meeting saying they will work together on the state budget.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • The Power Puzzle

    By Kate Galbraith

    When Texans turn on lights or plug in iPads, they are getting an increasing amount of power from the wind — and from coal plants. Last year, nearly 8 percent of the power on the state's electric grid was generated by wind, far above the national average. And coal plants produced more power than any other electricity source. The big loser was natural gas. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman