Standing in front of a big white cargo plane with a new “Perry for President” logo, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry made official what he has been hinting for some time: He’s running for president in 2016.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
New UT-Austin President Supports Beer at Football Games
New UT-Austin President Greg Fenves ran through a long list of ambitious goals at his first-day press conference Wednesday. Then, he got to the real news: He said he supports beer sales at Longhorn football games.
Posted inHigher Education
Catch Up on What Happened With Higher Ed Issues This Session
During the 84th legislative session, lawmakers considered a variety of higher education issues, including tuition costs and in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. See what happened to higher education issues this session in the Texas Legislative Guide.
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M Health Science Center CEO “Heartbroken” Over Exit
Brett Giroir, the prominent leader of the Texas A&M Health Science Center who chaired a state task force on Ebola last year, said Monday that he was told by A&M officials to resign or face termination.
Posted in
Politics
Patrick: I’m Not Running Against Abbott in 2018
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. “This will be my last position,” the lieutenant governor said.
Posted in
Higher Education
Lawmakers Approve Abbott’s University Recruitment Fund
Two bills passed Sunday would eliminate the Emerging Technology Fund and create an initiative to attract Nobel Prize winners to Texas universities.
Posted inState Government
Texas Teens Win One, Lose One
Lawmakers have decided to stop treating truant students like criminals, sending them to adult court where they face possible jail time for skipping school. But 17-year-old criminal offenders will still enter the adult court system.
Posted in
Higher Education
Bill to Rein In Hazlewood Costs Dies
Lawmakers said Saturday they were unable to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill to tighten eligibility rules for a popular veterans’ tuition program.
Posted in
Higher Education
Bonds for Campus Construction Sent to the Governor
Texas universities hoping for state help in constructing new buildings are close to receiving their wish after the House and Senate gave final approval to legislation authorizing $3.1 billion worth of construction bonds.
Posted inState Government
Hazlewood Conundrum Lingers Into Weekend
Key lawmakers are still far from an agreement on the future of a popular college tuition program for Texas veterans and their children. If nothing is done, some lawmakers say, the program known as Hazlewood could financially cripple the state’s universities.
