Wendy Davis has now laid out the first major policy initiative of her gubernatorial campaign. The policy area — education — was not surprising, but the extensive press coverage focused on a big unanswered question: How to pay for it?
John Reynolds
John Reynolds was the newsletters editor for the Tribune from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he was a reporter for Quorum Report, a non-partisan online political newsletter focusing on the ins and outs under the Dome, for more than seven years – covering the waterfront from health and human services and redistricting to pensions and elections. A native of Atlanta, Ga., he started his journalistic career one day after the attacks of Sept. 11 in Lubbock, Texas, where he rotated through a slew of beats at The Avalanche-Journal. He received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and studied at the University of Georgia's graduate school in journalism. When not at work, he actively attempts to convince himself he is adept at tennis with varying levels of success. And he has adopted the Austin custom of appreciating smoked meats and listening to music in grassy/muddy fields.
Posted inState Government
It’s Cold in Texas, but the Politics Are Hot
Political campaigns across the state wasted no time kicking into high gear as the calendar flipped on the New Year.
Posted inState Government
For Some, It’s Already the End of the Road
It’s this time of year when politicians of all stripes learn if they have won the political equivalent of the lottery, which we will define as having avoided any major party challengers in the primary and general elections.
Posted in
Health care
The Brief: Jan. 9, 2014
The Public Utility Commission’s proposed changes to the electric market gained a powerful detractor in recent days: the Texas Oil and Gas Association, the state’s oldest and largest petroleum organization.
Posted inState Government
New Carona Ad Highlights Lessons From Grandparents
State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has released a new biographical ad highlighting a lesson learned from his Italian grandparents: Fighting for what’s right is a good thing. He notes that “hasn’t always made me the most popular leader in Austin but I’m there to do what’s right for the people, not the politicians.”
Posted in
Politics
The Brief: Jan. 8, 2014
The Tribune’s Morgan Smith has a must-read piece on what’s next for the education reform group funded by tort reform champions that left a big imprint on policy debates during last year’s legislative session.
Posted inState Government
Davis Asks Perry to Take Action on White
Following up on her call last week for state Finance Commissioner William White to resign his post, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis is now requesting Gov. Rick Perry to take action.
Posted in
Health care
The Brief: Jan. 7, 2014
The challenge to Texas’ law placing further restrictions on abortion facilities took another step toward a widely expected hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court with oral arguments before a three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit in New Orleans.
Posted inState Government
Davis Campaign: 2006 AG Letter Gave Green Light to Payday Lenders
Did Greg Abbott make it easier for payday lenders to use a legal framework written for credit repair organizations and that would allow for higher fees than under the traditional payday loan?
Posted in
Health care
The Evening Brief: Jan. 6, 2014
Your evening reading: Democrats continue criticism of proposed state regulations of health navigators; critics of new abortion law face tough questions at 5th Circuit; judge says Texas Supreme Court justice can stay on ballot
