Budget Amendment Pits Arts Against Firefighters
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has reprised an effort from last session to remove funds from the Texas Commission on the Arts and dedicate them to assisting volunteer firefighters. Full Story
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has reprised an effort from last session to remove funds from the Texas Commission on the Arts and dedicate them to assisting volunteer firefighters. Full Story
So far, the Legislature has been writing a budget for a state in a center-right position on the political spectrum. As debate opens in the House, can the leadership hold off challenges, particularly from the right? Full Story
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: a preview of the budget fight coming up Thursday in the Texas House, where debate could last well into the night. Full Story
Amid continued worries about reservoir levels statewide, several Texas communities are exploring the concept of underground storage reservoirs, which do not lose water to evaporation or flood agricultural land. Full Story
UPDATED: University of Texas System Regent Bobby Stillwell explained to the Tribune why he disagrees with his colleague Alex Cranberg's assessment of the need for an external review of the UT Law School Foundation. Full Story
Texas House members are expected to debate well into the night Thursday as they take up the lower chamber's budget proposal, which includes 267 amendments. Full Story
A marathon budget debate today may keep House lawmakers at the Capitol past midnight. Full Story
The Texas Retired Teachers Association says it does not endorse any of the controversial budget amendments filed by freshman House Republicans that would put more money into the teachers' health insurance fund. Full Story
Your evening reading: UT regent didn't disclose lawsuits; Perry suggests link between border security and DA killings; Senate approves CPRIT reform bills Full Story
University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall didn't disclose a long history of courtroom battles before his Senate confirmation two years ago, a lapse that prompted some lawmakers to say they feel misled. Full Story
Two Texas Education Agency advisory panels opposed a plan to move the state to an A through F school ratings system, a plan that Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced Tuesday. Full Story
Emily, Ross, Reeve and Ayan discuss the debate over Medicaid expansion, the upcoming fight over the budget in the Texas House, and the latest issues with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Full Story
A new website and database released by the Texas Policy Evaluation Project explores the impact of cuts made in 2011 to state family-planning services, breaking down information on the county and district level. Full Story
The Texas Senate unanimously approved two bills on Wednesday to reform the beleaguered Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas amid continuing controversy over grant awards. Full Story
UPDATED: Rep. John Zerwas confirmed Wednesday that he will incorporate into his own Medicaid reform bill a proposal by Sen. Tommy Williams to use premium tax revenue to subsidize private health policies for the uninsured. Full Story
With concerns about student debt and the price of college on the rise, the state’s leading financial aid experts joined the Tribune at SXSWedu to discuss what students, institutions and lawmakers can do to keep college affordable. Full Story
The incoming president of Texas Tech University on his vision for the institution and why he isn't worried about coming to work in a state that is experiencing some debate around the issues of higher education governance. Full Story
With the addition of more than a dozen statewide elected officials to our Lawmaker Explorer — including Attorney General Greg Abbott and Comptroller Susan Combs and the state's railroad commissioners and Supreme Court justices — we're renaming it the Ethics Explorer. Full Story
An environmental task force's recent push to obtain a warrant to search a Railroad Commission district office underscores the debate raging over the oil and gas agency's environmental enforcement. Full Story
Discussions on gun control are replete with arguments about background checks, ammunition limits and issues related to mental-health awareness. Gun running to Mexico, however, remains a key concern, a new study shows. Full Story