At the Port of Houston, which supports hundreds of thousands of Texas jobs, business leaders say outdated trucking regulations hurt their business. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, changing those rules would require legislative action.
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 in
Economy
Budget Battles Still Ahead for Legislature
The state Legislature heads back to work in less than a year. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the state’s improving economy won’t likely save legislators from the protracted budget battle that awaits them.
Posted in
State Government
Abuse Reports Spur Questioning of State Hospital System
The revelation last year that the Texas state hospital system employed three doctors with a documented history of inappropriate behavior has lawmakers again investigating alleged abuse within the system. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Public Education
A New Test Looms, and Questions Remain
Texas lawmakers on Monday reviewed how schools are planning to implement a new standardized testing system, and as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, they came armed with plenty of questions.
Posted in
Politics
Perry Looks to Regain Power in Texas Legislature
Gov. Rick Perry must now get back to work in Texas. But after a poor performance on the national stage, what’s in store for Perry as he re-engages in state politics? Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Politics
How Did Perry Fall?
Now that Gov. Rick Perry has exited the presidential race, some may wonder how a candidate who entered the race as a front-runner fell so far. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Politics
For Some Young Voters, GOP Race Slow to Heat Up
The Republican primary may have engulfed the national political conversation, but as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, some young voters have only just begun to tune in.
Posted in
Politics
Perry Fights for Airtime at South Carolina Debate
While most of Monday night’s Republican presidential debate featured the top-tier candidates sniping at each other, Gov. Rick Perry was just trying to stay relevant. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted in
Health care
Policy Group Already Working to Shape 2013 Session
The conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation today wrapped up its annual legislative primer, which has become a must-attend for state Republican leaders. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how the group is already working to influence next year’s legislative session.
Posted in
Politics
Perry Going All Out Against Romney in South Carolina
Gov. Rick Perry, polling in single digits in crucial South Carolina, is stepping up his attacks on the business record of GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
