At the Trib's April 13 energy symposium at the University of Houston, I talked with state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, the House Energy Resources Committee chairman, and state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, a committee member. Full Story
Endorsements aren't always — or even usually — about the person being endorsed. And in a season with more than its share of statewide officials praising legislators, it's worth asking why. Full Story
Credit:
Illustration by Bob Daemmrich / Todd Wiseman
Five years after Texas lawmakers overhauled the juvenile justice system, reports of violence, inappropriate staff behavior and poor mental health services at youth lockups are spurring calls for accountability and continued reform. Full Story
After nine years as lieutenant governor of Texas, David Dewhurst can point to major conservative victories, but critics say he has lacked a backbone at times. Full Story
Tan on the battle over family planning in Texas, Ramshaw on a generational fight for a Dallas County congressional seat, Philpott's report on a political mapmaker-turned-candidate in Travis County, Hamilton on a Republican who's defending his right flank, Aaronson checks in on an election rematch in Northeast Texas, Murphy's refresh of our government salary database, Galbraith finds a new meaning for Army greens, Dehn with a new Weekend Insider and Aguilar on where Mexico's guns come from: The best of our best content from April 23 to 27, 2012. Full Story
Your evening reading: pro-Dewhurst Super PAC ad calls Cruz, Leppert "too liberal"; Amazon, state settle sales tax fight; UT-El Paso gets tentative approval to host boxing match Full Story
A decision to cancel a boxing match at the University of Texas at El Paso between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. of Mexico and Andy Lee of Ireland has been reversed. Full Story
A Super PAC supporting Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's U.S. Senate bid released a new TV ad today attacking two of his opponents. Former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz's camp hit back with a radio ad criticizing Dewhurst. Full Story
As part of our day-long symposium on energy and the environment at the University of Houston on April 13, the Trib's Kate Galbraith led a discussion on clean and renewable energy. Full Story
Amazon.com will start collecting sales taxes from Texas customers and invest $200 million and create 2,500 jobs in the state over the next four years. In return, the state will drop its efforts to collect back taxes from the company. Full Story
The next version of the Texas Legislature will have an unusually high number of new lawmakers — and a temporary deficit in legislative experience. Full Story
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul made a couple of campaign stops in Austin on Thursday. After an afternoon fundraiser, he met with supporters on the University of Texas campus. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
Fort Bliss has launched a massive effort to cut its net energy and water usage and reduce waste as part of a focus on self-sufficiency. Fort Hood is also working to go greener, but high upfront costs pose challenges. Full Story
U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, is a 20-year incumbent with an endorsement from President Obama. DeSoto lawyer Taj Clayton and state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway are angling to unseat her. Full Story
Credit:
Illustration by Brandon Thibodeaux / Todd Wiseman
Your evening reading: Perry calls EPA official's "crucify" comment "unacceptable"; poll says most Texans don't want Perry to run again; Tribune's government salary database updated Full Story
At this morning's TribLive conversation, House Public Education Committee Chairman Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, and Vice Chairman Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, disagreed over the theoretical correlation between per-student spending and academic performance. Full Story
An estimated 68,000 of the more than 99,000 guns submitted to U.S. authorities by Mexican law enforcement for tracing had origins here, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Full Story
In the Insider: Longtime U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, has two primary opponents running for her seat, and what legacy has David Dewhurst left as lieutenant governor? Full Story