A decision by the White House to reduce the number of National Guard soldiers on the country’s border with Mexico has provoked a fierce but expected reaction from Gov. Rick Perry, a longtime advocate for more boots on the ground in Texas.
2011
Posted in
Health care
Feds Approve One Health Waiver, Reject Another
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has turned down Texas’ request to run a family planning program that excludes some providers — namely Planned Parenthood. But it approved Texas’ request for a waiver to expand Medicaid managed care.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Dec. 12, 2011
Your afternoon reading: Paul goes after Gingrich again in web video; Straus draws primary challenge; Perry calls Solyndra a country
Posted in
Health care
Looming Medicaid Payment Cuts Worry Therapy Providers
Some cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates will take effect on Jan. 1, putting Texas’ Medicaid spending on par with that of many other states. But as Jessica Mahoney of KUT News reports, providers of physical, occupational and speech therapy worry many could be left without services.
Posted in
Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: About Those Primaries…
For this week’s nonscientific survey of politics and government insiders, we asked about the early presidential primaries, who’ll be the Republican nominee, and who the insiders think will be sworn in as president in 2013.
Posted in
Politics
In Iowa, Perry Doesn’t Mention His Controversial Ads
With roughly three weeks until the Iowa caucuses, Gov. Rick Perry is hoping to convince Iowans to give his candidacy another chance. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Dec. 12, 2011
Grasping for momentum, Gov. Rick Perry may have finally found a little over the weekend.
Posted in
Public Education
Measuring the Impact of Historic Education Cuts
One question has dominated education conversations in Texas since even before the 2011 legislative session and budget slashing began: How will public schools be affected? The answers are many and varied.
Posted in
Demographics
Report Raises Doubts About Obama-Backed Visa Program
The expansion of a program that would allow some foreigners to enter the U.S. without a visa has strong support from the White House. But as Hernán Rozemberg of Fronteras reports, a federal report has raised concerns about how the program will impact the government’s ability to manage the system.
Posted in
State Government
Redistricting Orders Create Political Chaos
Forget everything. The candidate announcements, the relocations, the decisions not to run again, the who vs. who and the campaign finance. With a Friday night order, the U.S. Supreme Court turned Texas election season into chaos.
