Comptroller Glenn Hegar launched a torrent of criticism at Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday after the credit rating agency released a report suggesting a drilling slowdown could eat up a projected $4 billion budget surplus by December.
Jim Malewitz
Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
Posted in
Economy
Disconnect for Ted Cruz Between Pipeline Stance and Attack on Trump
Despite a recent ad bashing Donald Trump for employing eminent domain for a parking lot, Ted Cruz has backed the Keystone XL and other pipeline projects that would use the same controversial tool to displace landowners.
Posted in
Economy
As Oil Prices Plunge, Hegar Asked if Budget Outlook is Too Rosy
While Comptroller Glenn Hegar tried to assure lawmakers that plummeting oil prices do not mean the Texas economy is headed for a nosedive, some worried Hegar was being overly optimistic.
Posted in
Economy
High Power Rates Spark Outrage in Rural Texas
“Politicians shouldn’t mess with churches or farmers, and this is a church full of farmers,” says Janey Burke of Roscoe’s Champion Baptist Church, whose congregation can be counted among those outraged by Sharyland Utilities’ bills.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Loses Bid to Block Clean Power Plan
A federal appeals court on Thursday denied a request from Texas and other states to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, leaving the climate change rules in place as a legal challenge winds through the courts.
Posted in
Economy
Falling Oil Prices Leading to Drop in Texas Road Funding
Because of crashing oil prices, Texas will send far less of its money in the coming years to transportation than it originally expected, Comptroller Glenn Hegar told state lawmakers on Wednesday. But the Republican’s overarching message? Don’t panic.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Ex-Texas Agriculture Commission Worker Alleges Discrimination
Shelia Latting, who is black, filed a lawsuit in state district court in Travis County Tuesday, claiming she lost her job a year ago as deputy chief financial officer due to racial discrimination at the agency.
Posted inState Government
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick Tout Big Fundraising Hauls
Also, some speculation on how the dominos are setting up in Harris County to fill El Franco Lee’s commission seat and a wrap on the PUC’s Oncor hearings.
Posted in
Politics
Rick Perry has New Job with Dental Insurer that Once was a Donor
A year out of office, former Gov. Rick Perry has a new gig: chief strategy officer at MCNA Dental, the largest privatively held dental insurance company in the country.
Posted in
Economy
Environmentalists Ask EPA to Strip Texas’ Regulatory Authority
Alleging that Texas has dramatically eroded its safeguards against air and water pollution, two environmental groups are asking the federal government to step in.
