More than 373,000 Texans went uncounted by the 2000 census, resulting in a loss of $1 billion in federal funds. With eight of the nation’s 50 hardest-to-count counties right here in our state, the coming 2010 census is a cause for concern — and an apparent lack of attention by elected officials is making matters worse.
Julián Aguilar
Julián Aguilar reported for the Tribune from 2009 to 2021, most recently on politics and on the Texas-Mexico border. He focused on immigration reform and enforcement, voter ID, international trade, border security, and the drug trade. His political coverage has included local, legislative and congressional races in Texas, as well as local and national elections in Mexico. Before joining The Texas Tribune, he was a freelance writer for the Fort Worth Weekly, a government and crime reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, and a political writer for the Rio Grande Guardian. A native of El Paso, he has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas and a master's degree in journalism from the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at the University of North Texas.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Budget Cuts Due [Updated]
State agencies are expected to submit their budget cuts today.
Posted in
Economy
The Brief: February 16, 2010
Early voting begins, state agencies scramble to cut spending and a Clinton antagonist moves back to Texas.
Posted in
Economy
The Brief: February 15, 2010
If editorial boards had the last say, next month’s primaries would be a moot point and gubernatorial candidates could have spent Valentine’s Day eating stale candy like the rest of us. Some of Texas’ largest newspapers weighed in last weekend on their choice for governor and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Houston Mayor Bill White grabbed the lion’s share.
Posted in
Economy
TribBlog: Tax Revenues Continue to Fall
Sales tax collections fell by double digits, again.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: February 11, 2010
Beck and Medina, Wilson remembered and the rest of your afternoon reading.
Posted in
Demographics
The Brief: February 11, 2010
Charlie Wilson dies, sales tax revenues are down and an April runoff still looks likely.
Posted inState Government
Budget Cuts, Then and Now
Texas lawmakers are expecting to find a hole in the state budget — anywhere from $11 billion to $17 billion, maybe even more — when they return to Austin a year from now. That’s the worst forecast since 2003, when they responded to a $10 billion shortfall with reductions in major programs and hikes in various fees. The Texas Tribune’s Julian Aguilar reports on how cuts back then could guide the Legislature’s work in 2011.