Reeve, Ross, Kate and Jay discuss the recent fertilizer plant explosion in West, Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg’s recent drunk driving arrest, and a fight in the Legislature over a bill that aims to bolster transparency.
April 2013
Posted in
Politics
House Approves Continuation of Lottery Commission
Despite voting a second time in favor of continuing the Texas Lottery Commission on Wednesday, the majority of House members made clear that they would like to study how to wind down the agency.
Posted in
Higher Education
After West, First Responders Scholarship Fund Announced
Inspired by the efforts of first responders during the recent bombing in Boston and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, the College Board on Wednesday announced the creation of a First Responders Scholarship Fund.
Posted in
Public Education
TribLive: A Conversation About School Finance
On April 19, I talked with former House Public Education Committee chairmen Rob Eissler and Kent Grusendorf, former vice chairman Scott Hochberg and attorney David Thompson about the perennially unresolved question of how the state should fund public education.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Tech to Open School of Accounting in Lubbock
When Texas Tech University in Lubbock opens the doors of its new School of Accounting on Aug. 15, it will mark a major first for the university — and will be only the second such opening in the state.
Posted inState Government
Bill Packs More Than New Name for Railroad Commission
A Senate panel on Tuesday debated a bill that would finally rename the state’s Railroad Commission. But another provision of the bill — campaign finance reform — proved more contentious.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
Interactive: Tracking Texas’ Gun Legislation
State lawmakers have filed roughly 100 gun bills this session — many drafted in the wake of the deadly December shooting in Newtown, Conn. Use our interactive to review the measures by subject and see which are getting the most traction in the Capitol.
Posted in
State Government
The Love-Hate Relationship With Transparency
One Texan’s transparency is another’s right to privacy, and people in politics generally find it easier to demand openness than to provide it.
Posted in
Economy
Perry’s Rainy Day Policy Fueled by Credit Ratings
As lawmakers debate how much money to leave in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, Gov. Rick Perry is relying on a very specific figure: 7.5 percent.
Posted in
Public Education
Despite Concerns, TEA Moving Forward on A-F School Ratings Plan
Against the recommendation of school leaders and amid skepticism from some lawmakers, the Texas Education Agency will continue working toward a transition to a public school accountability ratings system with grades of A through F.