Evan Smith interviewed Larry Gonzales, Paul Workman, and Jason Isaac at this morning’s TribLive event in Austin.
2011
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Jan. 6, 2011
Already caught up in one fight, House Speaker Joe Straus now has another on his hands.
Posted in
Health care
Needles and the Damage Done
Public health officials have been trying for years to get dirty syringes and the diseases they spread off Texas streets with needle exchange programs that allow IV drug users to get clean ones — and always they’ve come up short. Given November’s election results, they fear 2011 may be no different.
Posted in
Economy
The Revenue Guesstimate
Lawmakers are waiting for Comptroller Susan Combs to forecast exactly how much money the state will collect between now and August 2013 so they can write a two-year budget that spends no more than that. It’s not exactly like opening the envelopes at the Oscars, but the Capitol community will be hanging on her every word. If history is a guide, her estimate of revenues will be closer to the bull’s eye than the Legislature’s estimate of spending. But this is a dark art; accuracy can be elusive.
Posted in
Demographics
Silvestre Reyes: The TT Interview
The Democratic congressman from El Paso on what life will be like with the Republicans in control of the U.S. House, why the information released by WikiLeaks shouldn’t be public, whether we should be sending troops to Mexico and why Gov. Rick Perry talks so much about spillover violence.
Posted in
State Government
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 61
In this week’s skirmish, we preview the session ahead with a last look at the speaker’s race and a closer look at 2011’s budget struggles.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: “Hell No!” to Party Switching
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who survived the GOP rout last November, didn’t mince words Wednesday when asked if he’d considering throwing in with the other guys.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Coalition Urges “Balanced” Budget Approach
A wide-ranging coalition of education, criminal justice, religious and charitable groups today called on Texas lawmakers to use more than a machete to balance the state budget this year.
Posted in
Higher Education
TribBlog: Graduation Gains
Though graduation rates for community colleges are stagnant nationwide, a few Texas colleges have seen improvements. But don’t go busting out the champagne just yet.
Posted inState Government
The Midday Brief: Jan. 5, 2011
Your afternoon reading: the Republican Caucus; Arizona-style immigration policy in Texas looks unlikely, a study says; and a bid to rename the Railroad Commission
