State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, talked Wednesday about the tough battle Democrats waged this session, why she believes the budget outcome is not the success portrayed by the GOP and how this session may affect the next.
June 2011
Posted in
Demographics
Rick Perry: Deft Leader or Teflon Governor?
Attribute it to a Teflon coating, to his decisive win in a divided primary last year, or to luck, but Gov. Rick Perry is coming out of the 82nd legislative session without many bruises.
Posted in
Demographics
Sine Die Report: What Survived, What Died
The Trib’s been keeping track of the key issues throughout the special session. From budget measures to school finance, health care and airport groping, here’s our final rundown of bills that passed, and the ones that died.
Posted in
Energy
Wildfires, Burn Bans Rage Across Texas
So far this year, the Texas Forest Service has responded to roughly 1,500 wildfires across Texas, the damage of which spreads across 2.5 million acres, according to our interactive map. And burn bans are spreading just as fast.
Posted inState Government
Interactive Map: Wildfires, Burn Bans Across Texas
Highway signs along many Texas roads flash the same dire warning: extreme wildfire danger. Use the interactive map to see what parts of the state have been hardest hit.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 86
This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Emily, and Julian discuss the theatrics of the end of the special session and look forward to the interim.
Posted in
Politics
Perry Wades Into Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder this week calling plans by pro-Palestinian activists to protest and potentially disrupt Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza an “unacceptable provocation.”
Posted in
State Government
Video: Rep. David Simpson’s TSA Anti-Groping Speech
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, delivers his “personal privilege” speech after the Texas House of Representatives fails to pass his anti-TSA groping bill.
Posted in
Higher Education
Rick O’Donnell: The TT Interview
The controversial former adviser at the University of Texas System on his termination, the subsequent settlement, his critics and why he thinks his side is winning the battle over higher ed reform.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: June 29, 2011
Your afternoon reading: anti-TSA groping bill dies; House adjourns Sine Die; Texas may be Glenn Beck’s new home; a record number of counties with burn bans; the sanctuary cities blame game.