Bid for Rainy Day Fund Changes Moves Forward
The Texas House on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a constitutional election over whether to send surplus dollars from the Rainy Day Fund into a new account to pay down state debt. Full Story
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Matthew Watkins
Managing Editor for News and Politics
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Matthew Watkins is the managing editor for news and politics for The Texas Tribune. Before becoming an editor, he worked as a reporter at the Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and The Eagle in Bryan-College Station. He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.
Latest Contributions
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![House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
UT Regents Call Special Meeting on New Wallace Hall Requests
The meeting comes after UT System Regent Wallace Hall asked to visit with one of the investigators from Kroll Associates, which found that UT-Austin President Bill Powers helped secure admittance for some students over the objections of the admissions office. Full Story
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![Regent Wallace Hall, Jr. at a regular meeting of the University of Texas Board of Regents in Ashbell Smith Hall in Austin.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Cruz Won't Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
In a brief statement, the school said it was notified that Sen. Ted Cruz is "regrettably unable to join us" at the May event. No reason was given. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to supporters with his father Rafael, his wife Heidi and their children outside his new presidential campaign headquarters in Houston on March 31, 2015.]()
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Sticker Shaka: Costs Mount in UT Basketball Coaching Change
Buyouts for Rick Barnes and Shaka Smart could force the Longhorns to pay $2.5 million. Full Story
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![New UT basketball coach Shaka Smart.]()
Credit: Rickster2/T. Wiseman / A. Miscoe / Bill Oriani -
Cruz Offers to Speak at Texas A&M International Graduation
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has approached Texas A&M International University about speaking at the Laredo college's spring commencement, the A&M System confirmed Thursday. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz holding a press conference at the Anzalduas International Bridge in Mission surrounded by a group of local ranchers who said they've been affected by poor border security.]()
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Huston-Tillotson University Names New President
Colette Pierce Burnette will be the first woman to run the private school since Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College merged in 1952. Full Story
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![Colette Pierce Burnette was named president of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.]()
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UH to Pay $135,000 for McConaughey Speech
Call it the Houston Buyers Club: The University of Houston is paying $135,000 plus travel expenses to get Matthew McConaughey to speak at its spring commencement. The actor is donating the money to charity. Full Story
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![Matthew McConaughey at the Austin Club in Austin, Texas on Feb. 5, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Grand Jury Recommends UT Regent's Removal
In an unusual, strongly worded report, a Travis County grand jury recommended this week that University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall be removed from office. Full Story
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![UT Regent Wallace Hall on April 28, 2014. Lawmakers admonished and censured Hall, who was waging a personal investigation into lawmaker influence in the UT-Austin admissions process.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce for The Texas Tribune -
Zachry Group to Donate $25 Million to Texas A&M Engineering
Zachry Group, a San Antonio-based construction and engineering firm, is donating $25 million to Texas A&M University’s engineering college, aiming to help the college's plans to become the country's largest engineering school. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
A&M's Outsourcing Plans Have Workers Concerned
Texas A&M University officials say that a plan to outsource support services would help the university raise $260 million in the next 10 years. But staff members who perform those services are expressing concerns. Full Story
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![Landscaping workers are among the Texas A&M University employees who will have to join an outside company, because A&M is outsourcing its support services.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond