Report: Texas Ranks Among Leaders in Spending Transparency
Texas ranks highly when it comes to letting taxpayers know how state government spends its money, according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/23/Capitol-Money-Salary.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Barron Fujimoto -
Tax Relief or Targeted Spending Hikes? Surplus Projections Fuel Debate
With expectations that state lawmakers will have a budget surplus of several billion dollars, lawmakers, activists and business groups are already discussing what to do with the money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/BudgetSurplus-Capitol.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Stuart Seeger -
New Higher Ed Almanac Armed With More Data to Aid Students, Advisers
For the first time since it launched in 2011, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's annual almanac includes earnings data from the Texas Unemployment Insurance Wage Record File. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-TSU-003.jpg)
![Texas Southern University students Chassity Piece (center) and Briana Falls (right) walk to class on Feb. 22, 2012.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
SBOE May Get Private Funds to Visit Out-of-State Charter Schools
A proposal under consideration by the Texas State Board of Education would allow private foundations to pay for elected officials on the 15-member board to visit out-of-state charter schools whose applications they approve. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/14/SchoolFleeing-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole / Paul Sounders -
Donors to Governor's Marketing Tool See Some Benefits of Their Own
A Tribune investigation into contributors to TexasOne, Gov. Rick Perry's chief tool to promote the "Texas Miracle," found that its top contributors have also been beneficiaries of state economic programs and influential appointments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/PerryOne-2-Closer-noApp.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Claudio Geoffroy -
Interactive: TexasOne Contribution Network
A Tribune investigation of contributions to TexasOne, Gov. Rick Perry's chief Texas marketing tool, found that representatives from some of the largest contributors are often prolific donors to Perry's campaigns. Explore the connections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/PerryOne-1-Closer.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Nina Chantrasmi -
The Brief: April 8, 2014
A special prosecutor's report appears to give a House panel all the ammunition it would need to recommend charges of impeachment against University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall Jr. — should they choose that route. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Spotlight on Austin as Civil Rights Summit Begins
Four U.S. presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter — will visit Austin this week for a three-day summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/13/TexTrib-CivilRights-003.jpg)
![Mark K. Updegrove, director of the LBJ Library, with, President Jimmy Carter. Updegrove is hosting an April summit featuring four presidents.]()
Credit: David Valdez/LBJ Presidential Library -
Counsel's Report Cites Possible Grounds for Hall's Impeachment
There could be grounds to impeach University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall on at least four different counts, according to a report by the special counsel to the legislative committee that has been investigating him. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Report: Texas Ranks Low in Election Performance
Despite national improvement in election performance between 2008 and 2012, Texas ranked among the lowest-performing states, according to new data released Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/votingbooths.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
After Fort Hood Shooting, Activists Clash at Capitol Over Open Carry Policy
Lawmakers heard arguments for and against allowing Texans to carry handguns openly during a committee hearing on Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/Guns-Capitol-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond -
GOP Railroad Commission Hopefuls Trade Ethics Barbs
A former Texas Railroad Commission chairman is helping Ryan Sitton fight back against conflict-of-interest allegations in the Republican primary runoff for an open seat on the commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/RRC-Candidates.jpg)
![Candidates for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Ryan Sitton, left, and Wayne Christian.]()
-
Sales Tax Plan Would Challenge Local Control in Texas School Districts
Replacing property taxes with sales taxes sounds simple, but would have huge consequences for the state's school districts and for other local governments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Afraid It Was Missing the Boat, Arlington Tries the Bus With Pilot Program
Arlington, which had been one of the largest U.S. cities without public transportation, launched its first commuter bus line on a trial basis last year. Supporters are optimistic that the service will prove popular enough to continue beyond 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/03/ArlingtonXpress_0012.jpg)
![Passengers board the Metro ArlingtonXpress at the University of Texas at Arlington bus stop on March 31, 2014.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
The Brief: April 7, 2014
Because it's never too early to talk about 2016, here are a couple of reads for your Monday on what to expect from some high-profile Republicans should they pull the trigger on a White House run. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: Changing Tires on a Moving Car
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, I talked with host Jason Whitely and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy about the mass shooting at Fort Hood, trouble in Dewhurst's campaign, and more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/06/Screen_Shot_2014-04-06_at_1.23.23_PM.JPG)
![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA-TV's "Inside Texas Politics" on April 6, 2014.]()
-
Patrick, Now in Driver's Seat, Credits Grass Roots
State Sen. Dan Patrick has credited his success to grassroots support. But the Houston Republican's momentum has also been built on lessons learned navigating the old-school politics of Harris County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/04/Patrick3-web.jpg)
![State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, speaks to supporters in Houston after primary election results indicate he is heading into a runoff with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.]()
Credit: Daniel Kramer -
Davis Addresses Volunteers Ahead of Canvassing Efforts
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis highlighted her efforts to mobilize Texas voters at volunteer summit in Austin on Saturday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/24/_F5U7206.jpg)
![Wendy Davis listens to a press question at Scholtz Garden on March 24, 2014 following an equal pay rally.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Playlist: Age Ain't Nothing but a Number
John Ratcliffe is not making age an issue in his Republican primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, who turns 91 next month, so we start this week's Texas news-inspired playlist with Aaliyah's "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/04/Age.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by John Jordan -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from March 31 to April 4, 2014. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/04/040113-Tribweek.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed27ce751366acaaffe09a9b8c4accd3/BD%20INC%20Regents%20428%202013)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c79178d1944c7ebaf4d4ed74a50fad6/BD%20INC%20Regents%20533%202013)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4ae2bed91ea422d55da6e84a2e0a786/BD%20INC%20Education%20Senate%20537%202013)