How Texas state senators rank, from liberal to conservative, based on nearly 1,000 nonlopsided votes during the regular and special legislative sessions in 2013.
November 2013
Posted in
Politics
The Brief: Nov. 26, 2013
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was in fence-mending mode with conservative gadfly Glenn Beck on Monday
Posted in
Economy
Dispute Tied to Border Bridge Persists, but 2011 Deal May Offer Opening
A 2011 settlement between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Union Pacific could play a role in ending the current stalemate over the transfer of a Cameron County rail scanning machine.
Posted in
Transportation
Gravel Plan on Pause, but Political Fallout Continues
Debate over the Texas Department of Transportation’s controversial plan to convert some damaged asphalt roads to gravel has come up in a fight between the House and Senate to boost the agency’s funding.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Open-Carry Advocates See Hope in Abbott Proposal
If the state’s Republican leadership succeeds, Texans could find themselves growing accustomed to the sight of openly carried handguns.
Posted in
Energy
Funding Woes Imperil Future of State Parks
The struggle to secure funding and land for state parks in Texas dates back to the early 1900s. Today, as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department marks the end of its 50th year in operation, the struggle continues.
Posted in
Politics
Audio: An Evening With Halperin and Heilemann
Here’s audio of Evan Smith’s Nov. 18 conversation with veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, whose new book on the 2012 presidential campaign, Double Down, is already a best-seller.
Posted in
Energy
On Capacity Market Decision, Lawmakers Question PUC’s Authority
At a contentious hearing on Monday, lawmakers expressed skepticism about transforming Texas’ wholesale energy market in an attempt to ensure the long-term reliability of the state’s electric grid.
Posted in
Health care
The Evening Brief: Nov. 25, 2013
Your evening reading: the changing face of Fort Bend County; fears of bigger voter ID headaches to come; noted D.C. political pundit weighs in on Wendy Davis’ chances
Posted inState Government
Ethics Commission Chief Leaves for CPRIT
David Reisman, the executive director of the Texas Ethics Commission, will become the chief compliance officer of the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, officials confirmed on Monday.