Texplainer: Where Did the Sunset Commission Get Its Name?
Nothing scares the good men and women of state agencies more than one word: Sunset. But where did the Sunset Commission get its name? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/texplainer-sponsoredTAMU.png)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for Feb. 18, 2011
Your afternoon reading: attorney general goes after voter fraud; lawmakers find a little common ground; and for Wisconsin lawmakers, a Senate Democrat offers up some sex advice (you read that right) Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LatinoVoters.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: El Paso Times -
The Brief: Top Texas News for Feb. 18, 2011
Large Hispanic population growth was expected, but new census figures could signal more than just a sea change in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CensusCongress.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Minorities Drove Strong Texas Growth, Census Figures Show
Texas' explosive growth during the past decade was fueled by a boom in its minority population, which accounted for 89 percent of the total increase in population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/census-counties-2000-2010.png)
![County population change based on 2000 to 2010 census data.]()
-
Energy or Railroad: Are the Politics Different?
What’s in a name? The Texas Railroad Commission — and the elected officials who run it — may soon find out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RailRoadCommissioner_2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Jeramey Jannene/Paul Lowry/Todd Wiseman -
Texas Seeks Medicaid Waiver, but Prognosis Is Poor
Only months ago, Texas lawmakers threatened to drop out of Medicaid. Now, Texas and other financially strapped states are asking Washington for permission to operate the program as they see fit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Medicaid_Tri.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Small Brewers Pushing to Tap Into the Action
Brewpubs want to be able to sell their distinctive beers in stores, restaurants and other bars and are fighting for the right to expand. The major beer distributors like things the way they are. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BeerBrewery-JV098.jpg)
![Tim Stevens pours an Agave Wit at Uncle Billy's Brew & Que.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
Abbott Ruling Will Exclude Planned Parenthood
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott just released two opinions expected to force Planned Parenthood out of the state's Women's Health Program, which provides family planning, but not abortions, to Medicaid patients. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PlannedParenthood.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
Police Worry Immigrant Victims, Witnesses May Go Silent
Law enforcement authorities worry that some immigration-related legislation would silence immigrant crime victims and witnesses, who may stop cooperating with the police out of fear that their undocumented status will be discovered. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CrimeScene-Ask.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Ian Britton/Todd Wiseman -
DPS Identifies Persons of Interest in Mansion Fire
More than two years after an arsonist torched the Governor's Mansion, the Department of Public Safety still hasn't made any arrests, but investigators say they have identified persons of interest in the case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/governors_mansion_fire.jpg)
![The iconic Texas Governor's Mansion was nearly demolished by fire in June 2008 after an arsonist hurled a Molotov cocktail at the front door.]()
Credit: Office of the Governor -
Prison Chaplains Pray, Plead for Funds
Chaplains have been a part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since at least 1910, providing spiritual guidance and programs. Under the proposed House budget, all 121 Texas prison chaplains would lose their jobs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB8927.jpg)
![Prison chaplains meet at 1st Baptist church before heading to Texas Capitol to speak to lawmakers on Wednesday.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
2010 Census Data for Texas Released
New U.S. census data shows the Hispanic population in Texas increased by 42 percent since 2000 and makes up 38 percent of the population. The state's total population increased by 4,293,741 since 2000. Full Story
![County population change based on 2000 to 2010 census data.]()
-
The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for Feb. 17, 2011
Your afternoon reading: census data trickles in; Cornyn-led committee wants dirt on Napolitano; abortion sonogram debate continues in the Senate Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CensusBureau.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Abortion Sonogram Passes in Senate
The controversial abortion sonogram bill has passed the Senate by a vote of 21-10. Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, got the two-thirds vote needed to bring it to the floor, effectively ensuring it would pass. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA9014.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Sen. Carlos Uresti, Sen. Robert Duncan and Sen. Dan Patrick review amendments to Senate Bill 16, the abortion sonogram bill.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Sara Hickman: The TT Interview
The 2010 official state musician of Texas sat down with the Tribune to talk about Gov. Rick Perry's proposal to suspend funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts and what it could mean for the state's students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Hickman_Video_Still.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
The Brief: Top Texas News for Feb. 17, 2011
It's not Obamacare, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Wednesday of new state health care legislation, virtually ensuring comparisons. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB9031.jpg)
![Sen Jane Nelson during press conference introducing Senate Bill 7 & 8, legislation to improve health care]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Facing Budget Crisis, Should Texas Be in the Cancer Business?
To solve the state’s budget crisis, lawmakers are considering sweeping cuts to almost everything, from school funding to child welfare services. But a $300-million-a-year cancer institute championed by Gov. Rick Perry and Lance Armstrong has so far escaped the budget knife. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Cancer-Research.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Rainy Day Fund: Is it Drizzling Out — or Pouring?
Texas, like many other states, is proposing billions of dollars in cuts to help close a budget gap. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, one thing Texas has that nobody else does is $9 billion in a piggy bank called the Rainy Day Fund — and lawmakers are divided over whether to crack it open. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasMoneyTree.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 67
This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Ben and Matt on the supermajority in the Texas House, possible federal court challenges, the coming Census numbers, the Howard/Neil election challenge and the public school budget battle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DanAndDonnaHouseFloor.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Warren Chisum for Texas Railroad Commissioner?
Put state Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, on the "maybe" list for Texas railroad commissioner — if there is such a thing when the job comes open. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3130c9670fc2165857973909a8082e27/BD%20INC%20Warren%20Chisum%20001%202010)