Past Contributions

• Data App: Our Latest Public Employee Pay Update

  By Ryan Murphy, Ioanna Makris and Chris Hooks Sept. 15, 2011

  This morning we've posted a 2011 update to our government employee salary database, which now includes 140 entities and salary data for more than 664,000 public employees. Full Story 

• Texplainer: Can Perry Use State Campaign Dollars in His Presidential Run?

  By Ioanna Makris Aug. 15, 2011

  Texans for Rick Perry, his state campaign committee, listed $2.1 million in cash on hand at the end of June, according to its most recent filing. But Perry can't touch it for his just-launched presidential campaign. Full Story 

• A Lizard Causes Oil and Gas Industry Drama

  By Ioanna Makris Aug. 12, 2011

  The sand dune lizard, located in parts of West Texas and New Mexico, could potentially be interfering with the drilling of oil and gas. Full Story 

• ERCOT Urges Continued Energy Conservation

  By Ioanna Makris Aug. 8, 2011

  As the scorching summer days march on, so does the fear of blackouts. Full Story 

• Texas Airport Furloughs Delay Construction, but Not Operations

  By Ioanna Makris July 28, 2011

  A weeklong partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration has delayed airport construction projects in Houston and Abilene. Full Story 

• Updated: Court Declines Stay for 9-11 Revenge Killer

  By Ioanna Makris July 20, 2011

  U.S. Distict Judge Lee Yeakel today denied Rais Bhuiyan’s request to the stay the execution of Mark Stroman, the man who shot him and killed two others and is scheduled to die tonight for his crimes. Full Story 

• A Naked Gamble That the Pole Tax Gets Stripped

  By Ioanna Makris July 15, 2011

  Four years and one seemingly endless lawsuit after Texas lawmakers passed a $5-per-patron strip club fee, just 111 of the state’s 176 strip clubs have paid any money. (View our interactive here.) Full Story 

• Updated: Shooting Victim's Case Sent to Federal Court

  By Ingrid Husby and Ioanna Makris July 14, 2011

  Rais Bhuiyan is suing Gov. Rick Perry to stop the state from executing the man who shot him in the head 10 years ago. Full Story 

• Texas 12th Most Obese State, Study Finds

  By Ioanna Makris July 7, 2011

  They say everything's bigger in Texas — and apparently, that includes the people. Texas ranks as the 12th most obese state in the U.S., according to a new study by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Full Story 

• In-Home Nursing Companies Facing Cuts Again

  By Ioanna Makris June 29, 2011

  Companies that provide intensive in-home care to patients who might otherwise be in nursing homes could face big cuts under a cost-saving budget proposal the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will consider today. Full Story