Past Contributions

• After West Disaster, Little Discussion on Soil Issues

  By Chris Hooks May 15, 2013

  As the fertilizer plant explosion in West continues to elicit debate about regulation, one factor that hasn’t been discussed as much is the unique needs of the soil in Central Texas. Full Story 

• After West Explosion, Other Chemical Stockpiles Come Under Scrutiny

  By Chris Hooks, The Texas Tribune, and Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project May 10, 2013

  As state and federal regulators analyze the patchwork of policies governing the fertilizer plant that exploded in West, the incident has prompted a closer look at communities that lie near stockpiles of chemicals. Full Story 

• School Breakfast Bill Passes House

  By Chris Hooks May 9, 2013

  Gov. Rick Perry will soon receive a bill the House approved Thursday that will provide a free breakfast to all children at Texas’ poorest schools. Full Story 

• Villarreal Urges Action on Payday Lending

  By Chris Hooks May 8, 2013

  Payday lenders could see the expansion of local lending regulations across the state, lawmakers warned at a press conference on Wednesday, if a bill that would that would create statewide regulations fails. Full Story 

• At NRA Convention, Cruz and Perry Blast Gun Control Efforts

  By Chris Hooks May 3, 2013

  Members of the National Rifle Association gathered in Houston on Friday at their annual convention to listen to a wide array of national figures — but it was Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz who got the warmest welcomes. Full Story 

• Outlook Uncertain for Payday Loan Regulation

  By Chris Hooks May 2, 2013

  Consumer advocates and payday lending industry representatives thought 2013 would be the year for a politically viable solution to regulating short-term-lending institutions. The hoped-for solution, though, seems to be in legislative trouble. Full Story 

• A Push to Ensure Free Breakfast for the State's Poorest Students

  By Chris Hooks April 26, 2013

  A bill by state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, could result in as many as 731,000 additional low-income children in Texas receiving free breakfasts through their schools. Full Story 

• Disclosure Bill Clears House Committee

  By Chris Hooks April 24, 2013

  Politically active nonprofits would be required to disclose their donors under a bill that passed handily out of a House committee Wednesday. Full Story 

• House Committee Gives Tesla Motors a Chance

  By Chris Hooks April 23, 2013

  UPDATED: A bill that would allow Tesla Motors to circumvent the state's franchise dealer system and sell cars directly to Texans is advancing to the full House. Full Story 

• Doctored Payday Lending Bill Passes Senate

  By Chris Hooks April 22, 2013

  UPDATED: A heavily amended bill to regulate short-term lenders passed the Texas Senate on Monday night, but it faces an uphill battle in the House. Full Story