On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Deadlines in the Texas House have come and gone. Now lawmakers are left to pick up the pieces for next session, or to find another way to get their bills passed.
Ben Philpott
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
Posted inState Government
Agenda Texas: A Boost for Texas Democrats
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama’s trip to Austin was all about jobs, but it also inevitably highlighted Democratic efforts to turn Texas into a battleground state.
Posted in
Economy
Agenda Texas: Revisiting the Texas Miracle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama’s visit to Austin on Thursday as part of a new jobs tour has again put the state’s economy in the spotlight.
Posted in
Energy
Agenda Texas: What’s Left to Do?
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Water, transportation and education were priorities at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, but how much progress has been made on each?
Posted in
State Government
Agenda Texas: Deadline Week in the House
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Only about 20 percent of bills filed during a legislative session make it to the governor’s desk — and the deadlines that kill off many of those bills are coming this week.
Posted in
Politics
Agenda Texas: Tea Party Power
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Tea Party lawmakers helped kill a major water bill on Monday, but that’s one of a small number of victories during a session many thought the more conservative wing of the GOP would flourish.
Posted in
Politics
Agenda Texas: House “Gun Day” Draws Near
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: House lawmakers on Saturday will take up several gun-rights bills, including controversial legislation that would allow firearms on college campuses.
Posted in
Politics
Agenda Texas: What’s a Point of Order?
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: We look at the ways Texas lawmakers use legislative technicalities — or points of order — to derail legislation they don’t like.
Posted inState Government
Agenda Texas: Tanking the Water Bill
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The bill that was supposed to pay for Texas’ water plan suffered a setback in the House on Monday night, leaving state leaders with a narrow set of options.
Posted in
Politics
Agenda Texas: Perry Joins the Fight
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: With just four weeks left in the legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry has jumped into the fight over spending billions on water, transportation and business tax cuts.
