Texas Legislature

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Evan Smith Aug. 20, 2011

Aaronson analyzes TWIA claims and lawyer fees, Aguilar talks border security and voter ID with Chuy Hinojosa, Grissom on the latest inmate exonerated via DNA evidence, Hamilton interviews John Sharp on higher ed and the SEC, Murphy interactively maps the changes wrought by redistricting, Philpott on who's running Texas while Rick Perry is out campaigning for president, Ramsey on Perry's history of off-the-cuff remarks, Ramshaw on Perry's childhood years in Paint Creek, Root on Perry's extraordinary first week on the trail and Tan on even more ways Texas will change on Sept. 1: The best of our best content from Aug. 15-19, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Video: Capitol Buzz - Perry On Stimulus "Strings".

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan Aug. 19, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry likes to rail against the Obama administration's "failed" federal stimulus program, but he and state lawmakers have more than $17 billion in fed-stim dollars to thank for the last two balanced Texas budgets. Full Story
Despite Job Growth, Texas Unemployment Rate Worst in Decades

By Emily Ramshaw Aug. 19, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry — touting the state's job growth on the campaign trail — got some bad news this morning: The state's unemployment rate is the worst in nearly a quarter century. Full Story

Credit: Ben Philpott
Road Work

By Ross Ramsey Aug. 18, 2011

Who knew, when the 1998 race for lieutenant governor was raging, that the combatants would end up like this: Rick Perry is picking his way across Iowa and New Hampshire with his sights set on the White House, and John Sharp is the chancellor-apparent at the Texas A&M University System. Whodathunkit? Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Inside Intelligence: The Ultimate Insiders' Vote

By Ross Ramsey Aug. 18, 2011

In which we ask the insiders how the selection of a new lieutenant governor will go, if David Dewhurst moves on to another job after the 2012 elections. Full Story
Video: Austin Filmmaker Bradley Beesley on Newly Legalized Noodling

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan Aug. 18, 2011

Throughout August, the Tribune will feature 31 ways Texans' lives will change come Sept. 1, the date most bills passed by the Legislature take effect. DAY 18: The sport of catching catfish with bare hands, known as noodling, is now legal in Texas. Watch the Trib's interview with filmmaker and avid noodler Bradley Beesley. Full Story

Credit: Bradley Beesley
31 Days, 31 Ways: Noodling for Catfish Legalized

By Thanh Tan Aug. 18, 2011

DAY 18 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The sport of catching catfish with bare hands, known as noodling, is now legal in Texas. Full Story

Credit: Bradley Beesley
Guest Column: Why Rick Perry is Bad for Hispanics

By Rafael Anchia Aug. 18, 2011

As the last legislative session demonstrated, the governor has a failing record on issues important to Latinos, including public education, expanded pre-K, college access, redistricting and immigration. Full Story
Updated: Jackson Chooses Congress Over State Senate

By Ross Ramsey Aug. 18, 2011

As expected, state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, will run for Congress next year instead of for re-election to the Texas Senate. State Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, may run for his Senate seat. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa: The TT Interview

By Julián Aguilar Aug. 18, 2011

The state senator from McAllen sat down with the Tribune to talk border security, how Democrats move forward after voter ID and what he thinks the upper chamber will look like in 2013. Full Story

Credit: Julian Aguilar
Perry and the Stimulus: It's Complicated

By Ross Ramsey Aug. 17, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry likes to rail against the Obama administration's "failed" federal stimulus program, but he and state lawmakers have more than $17 billion in fed-stim dollars to thank for the last two balanced Texas budgets. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
31 Days, 31 Ways: Guns Allowed in Vehicles at Work

By Julián Aguilar Aug. 16, 2011

DAY 16 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Gun owners in Texas will not have to leave their weapons at home while they are at work anymore. Full Story
31 Days, 31 Ways: Family Planning Funding Slashed

By Thanh Tan Aug. 15, 2011

DAY 15 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: The Department of State Health Services expects about 180,000 Texas men and women will lose access to birth control and cancer screenings. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune
Under Scrutiny, Perry Walks Back HPV Decision

By Jay Root Aug. 15, 2011

With his lengthy record as governor under intense new scrutiny, Rick Perry is seeking to defuse the controversy around one of his most controversial decisions: his 2007 executive order requiring all girls to be vaccinated against HPV, the principal cause of cervical cancer. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
31 Days, 31 Ways: Anti-Abortion Clinics Get More Funding

By Thanh Tan Aug. 14, 2011

DAY 14 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Despite making deep cuts across the state's budget, lawmakers increased funding for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy resource centers. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Storm Insurer Remade, But Vocal Critics Remain

By Becca Aaronson Aug. 14, 2011

A Texas Tribune analysis found that the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association mishandled claims after Hurricane Ike and paid millions of dollars to defend its fraudulent behavior and claimants’ lawyers profited from huge settlements and legal fees. Full Story

Credit: Dave Levinthal
31 Days, 31 Ways: Textbook Affordability Measures Kick In

By Reeve Hamilton Aug. 13, 2011

DAY 13 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: a law aimed at making college textbooks more affordable goes into effect. Full Story
31 Days, 31 Ways: Driver's License Policy Becomes Law

By Julián Aguilar Aug. 12, 2011

DAY 12 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: applicants for driver's licenses and IDs must furnish proof of legal status. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Video: Perry Says Texas Does It Better

By Justin Dehn Aug. 10, 2011

Speaking at a National Conference of State Legislatures summit in San Antonio this morning, Gov. Rick Perry touted Texas job growth and blasted runaway government spending — themes he's sure to stress in his expected presidential campaign. Full Story
31 Days, 31 Ways: UT Southwestern Loses $31M in State Funding

By Thanh Tan Aug. 10, 2011

DAY 10 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Losing $31 million in state aid leads UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas to lay off more than 100 employees and eliminate 250 vacant positions. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman