Texas Legislature

Madden Bows Out

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 14, 2011

State Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano, won't seek an 11th term in the Texas House, he told the Tribune this afternoon. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
Inside Intelligence: About that Memory Lapse...

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 14, 2011

For this week's version of our nonscientific survey of political and government insiders in Texas, we asked about Rick Perry's chances — before and after "Oops." Full Story
Inside Intelligence: Oops, Before and After

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 10, 2011

Rick Perry's "oops" moment was costly in our survey of political and government insiders, and we also took soundings on third-party candidates, court-drawn political maps, and the strength of the Tea Party. Full Story
Study: Texas Ranks Last in Mental Health Spending

By Claire Cardona Nov. 10, 2011

Despite an increase in state spending on mental health care, Texas still ranks last in per capita funding for people with mental illness, according to a report issued by the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Water Propositions Meet Different Fates at Ballot Box

By Kate Galbraith Nov. 9, 2011

Amid the most intense drought in state history, Texas voters split on a pair of water-related constitutional amendments that had the backing of many environmentalists and businesses. Analysts are scrambling to explain their differing fates. Full Story
Federal Judges Will Draw New Political Maps for Texas

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 8, 2011

Next year's congressional and legislative elections in Texas will probably be conducted using political maps drawn by federal judges instead of those drawn by lawmakers. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Colbert on Larry Taylor: "Get Off His Back, Media"

By Evan Smith Nov. 8, 2011

On last night's episode of The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert "defended" state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who came under fire last week for using an ethnic slur in a legislative hearing. Full Story
Updated: Ames Jones to Challenge Wentworth

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 7, 2011

Railroad Commission Chairwoman Elizabeth Ames Jones will end her campaign for the U.S. Senate to run instead for the Texas Senate against incumbent Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio. Full Story
Lawsuit Gives Cover to Texas Lawmakers

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 7, 2011

Judges have been telling legislators what to do since we set up government to replace knife fights and bar brawls. And legislators use the courts to make them do unpopular but necessary things that voters don't like. School finance, for instance. Full Story
TribLive: McCall on the 82nd Session

By Evan Smith Nov. 4, 2011

At this week's TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall — a former state lawmaker — reflected on his first legislative session out of office in two decades. Full Story
Flying the Flag

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 4, 2011

Early voting is underway and has been since October 24, but it's not easy to prove it. Full Story

Credit: Erik Hersman
Weekend Insider: Courts Legislate Lawmakers, GOP Who Don't Support Perry

By Justin Dehn Nov. 3, 2011

In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, executive editor Ross Ramsey explains how courts legislate for state lawmakers, and deputy editor Emily Ramshaw describes the risks Texas Republicans face when they don't support Rick Perry for president. Full Story
Interactive: Budget Cuts Continue to Shrink Texas State Government

By Becca Aaronson Nov. 3, 2011

This interactive shows the dramatic drop in employment at Texas state agencies from the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 to the last quarter, right before $15 billion in cuts to the 2012-2013 biennium budget kicked in Sept. 1. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
UT/TT Poll: Mormon Candidates Face Hurdle

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 3, 2011

More than one in five Texas voters say most of the people they know would not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate even if they agreed with him or her on the issues, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Full Story
Proposition 7 Aims to Boost El Paso Parks

By Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 3, 2011

Voters will have 10 state constitutional amendments to consider on Election Day this Tuesday. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on Proposition 7, which would create a parks system in El Paso County. Full Story

Credit: Jason Brackins
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 104

By Reeve Hamilton Nov. 2, 2011

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Ben and Jim pore over the new UT/TT poll, review Gov. Rick Perry's viral video, and consider the recent statements of Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
UT/TT Poll: Top Pick for U.S. Senate? Undecided

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 2, 2011

Half of all GOP voters haven't decided who should be their nominee for the U.S. Senate, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Full Story
School Dropouts, Politicians and the Funny Arithmetic of State Budgets

By Ross Ramsey Oct. 28, 2011

Every time a student drops out of public school, taxpayers save money. That’s one fewer student, at an annual savings of more than $11,000 per year from state and local sources. Full Story
Some GOP Hopefuls for Texas House Pick Education Message

By Morgan Smith Oct. 27, 2011

At least some Republican 2012 primary candidates for the Texas House hope to trade the anti-government cries of the last election cycle for a message with a decidedly different focus: the state of Texas public schools. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Anti-Tax Groups Oppose Constitutional Amendments

By Susannah Jacob Oct. 26, 2011

Texas voters started going to the polls this week to decide whether to add 10 amendments to the state's massive Constitution, potentially taking the total number of amendments to 477. A few of them have drawn the ire of anti-tax groups. Full Story

Credit: Jason Brackins