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  • Conference Panel Approves Most of Budget

    By Ross Ramsey

    House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on everything in the state budget except for public and higher education and a section of general provisions that can be used later to make sure the numbers in the budget balance. Full Story 

    Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan and Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • How Will Ron Paul Fare in 2012?

    By Erika Aguilar, KUT News

    U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has kicked off another presidential campaign, his second attempt at the GOP nomination. Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports on how the libertarian rabble-rouser, whose views often put him at odds with mainstream Republicans, may do in 2012. Full Story 

    Ron Paul shaking hands after a speech on UT Austin campus in 2008.
    Credit: Erika Aguilar

  • Statewide Smoking Ban Not Stubbed Out Yet

    By Emily Ramshaw and Becca Aaronson

    Don't stub out the statewide smoking ban bill yet. The bill's House and Senate authors say they've got a vehicle for the measure to be passed, and they're still hopeful Texas will be the first southern state to outlaw the habit in restaurants, bars and most public places. Full Story 

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    Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman

  • On the Records: Fundraising Outside Texas

    By Matt Stiles

    Candidates in next year’s U.S. House and Senate elections in Texas raised more than $5 million in the first quarter from individuals. Most live in Texas. But a significant portion came from outside the Lone Star State, according to the Federal Election Commission. California led the way, followed by Virginia, Washington, D.C. and New York. Full Story 

    Congressional Fundraising By Zip Code Prefix: 1st Quarter 2011
    Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles

  • Guest Column: Mary and Joseph Were "Undocumented"

    By Eddie Lucio Jr.

    As a Christian and a lawmaker, biblical stories form something of a lens through which I try to find focus when making public policy decisions — particularly as anti-immigrant bills have gained a disturbing momentum in Austin over the last few weeks. Full Story 

    Texas Senator Eddie Lucio
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Drilling Down on Fracking in Texas

    By Mose Buchele, KUT News

    A team of University of Texas researchers is about to study the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the drilling technique that has environmental groups worried. Mose Buchele of KUT News talked with the man leading the study of one of the most controversial methods of harvesting energy in the world. Full Story 

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  • Lawmakers Target Prison School for Makeover

    By Brandi Grissom

    Texas could save money, and prisoners could get a better education, some lawmakers say, if inmate learning programs were provided online. But correctional education experts and teachers say lawmakers’ ideas — particularly about online programs — show a lack of understanding about prison life. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman

  • Inside Intelligence: In 2012, Obama's Chances in Texas Are...

    By Ross Ramsey

    For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked about politics — whether Barack Obama will do as well in Texas in 2012 as in 2008, whether Republicans can lose a statewide election, whether any top officeholders are in danger, and which issues in the Legislature will become issues in the elections, for better and for worse. Full Story 

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  • Instant Maps

    By Ross Ramsey

    Kel Seliger decided to run the redistricting marathon by saving up his energy until the end and then running a sprint. The Amarillo Republican's Senate Redistricting Committee met less than three weeks before end of the session to consider Senate district maps that had at that point been public for less than 24 hours. He told members — this was on Thursday — that they had until 5 p.m. to get their amendments to him and to make sure they were legally vetted and so on. And he said he planned to vote on the plan, along with a House plan already approved on the other side of the rotunda, on Friday. That sets up a full Senate vote for as early as next week. Full Story