Curious what legislators are saying on the House and Senate floor? Since the start of the 82nd legislative session, The Texas Tribune has posted day-after transcripts. Now we’re brainstorming ways to make them more searchable and interactive.
March 2011
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Top Texas News for March 3, 2011
During abortion-sonogram debate Wednesday, House Democrats brandished one of the few remaining weapons in their arsenal: the technicality.
Posted in
Demographics
Interactive: Census Totals by House, Senate District
Our new interactive map visualizes population changes by House and Senate district for the total population and residents who are of Hispanic origin. These totals are important now given that lawmakers are preparing to redraw all 181 districts based on their growth, demographics and election histories.
Posted in
Higher Education
In Ranger, Fears of Town Waning With College’s Closure
News that the state could shutter four community colleges has rattled the rural town of Ranger, whose community college faces closure. Nathan Bernier and Paulo Martins of KUT News look at what the closure could mean for the college — and the town for which it has become something of a lifeline.
Posted in
State Government
Numbers Tell Tale of Who’s Vulnerable in Redistricting
You don’t need a new map to find the political trouble spots in Texas — and by trouble, we mean officeholders who are vulnerable in the redistricting process.
Posted in
Energy
Bill Would Allow Advertising at State Parks
With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facing budget cuts and park closures, Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports that lawmakers are looking at an unconventional solution — advertising in parks — to help pay for maintenance and promote tourism.
Posted inState Government
Interactive Map: Hispanic Growth in House, Senate Districts
The U.S. Census Bureau collected 2010 population trend data for Texas political districts, separating out totals by race to enable the redrawing of district boundaries during the 2011 session of the state Legislature. This interactive map displays those totals in shades, with darker colors representing higher rates of total population growth overall and by residents of Hispanic origin.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 69
On this week’s episode, Evan, Reeve, Ben and Brandi discuss Gov. Rick Perry’s Twitter feed, the state’s changing demographics and issues of innocence.
Posted in
Demographics
State Affairs Takes on “Sanctuary Cities”
Tonight, the Texas House took on another of the issues that Gov. Rick Perry has designated an emergency: sanctuary cities, or cities where police do not enforce federal immigration laws.
Posted in
State Government
Another Senator, Another Proposed Tax
On Monday, state Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, said he would rather raise taxes than make the cuts under consideration. Now, state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, has introduced legislation to increase the tax on soft drinks by a penny per ounce.
