Your evening reading: George P. Bush says he’ll announce political intentions before end of session; scrutiny of Cruz continues; Lamar Smith calls meteor a reminder to fund space programs
Feb 15, 2013 5:00 pm
Posted in
Politics
TribLive: A Conversation with McKinnon and Dowd
At last Saturday’s quarterly meeting of the Texas Lyceum, I interviewed political-strategists-turned-pundits Matthew Dowd and Mark McKinnon about the media’s coverage of the 2012 elections and how reporting on politics will be different going forward.
Posted inState Government
Report: Tax Dollars Pay for Big Screens
More controversy has erupted over a state tax incentive program after a Houston television station reported that it was used to buy “big screens for billionaires.”
Posted in
Politics
TribLive: A Conversation with Jerry Patterson
Full video of my 2/14 TribLive conversation with Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, an announced candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014.
Posted in
Public Education
Existing School Transfer Program is Underused
A scholarship to help students trapped in failing public schools attend another of their choice is near the top of the legislative agenda for top Republican leaders. But Texas has a similar existing program, and it is dramatically underused.
Posted in
Demographics
Early Into His Tenure, Villalba Makes His Stands
Freshman state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has been held up by some Republicans as a symbol of the party’s growing popularity with Hispanics. He says he is only motivated by the issues facing his constituents.
Posted in
Energy
Renewable Energy Faces Hurdles in Legislature
This session, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The discussions include a renewable energy mandate and a key tax incentive.
Posted in
Politics
The Brief: Feb. 15, 2013
Weeks after Ted Cruz began building a reputation as the U.S. Senate’s brashest new member, his colleagues are beginning to sound off.
Posted in
Public Education
Straus on Priorities; More Campaign Woes for Dewhurst
The speaker of the House dampens expectations for vouchers, tax breaks and transportation without ruling any of those things out. And the lieutenant governor unpeels another layer of problems he says arose from a campaign manager’s embezzling.
Posted in
Energy
The Wind Blows, the Sun Shines: The Tax Breaks
Ten years ago, the renewable energy industry basked in political popularity. With the rise of the Tea Party, it is now under fire. Clean energy advocates will spend part of the legislative session fending off attacks. But they also have some big dreams.