Scratch that. Today’s the day for voter ID.
The Brief: Jan 25, 2011
Posted in
Energy
The Power Puzzle
When Texans turn on lights or plug in iPads, they are getting an increasing amount of power from the wind — and from coal plants. Last year, nearly 8 percent of the power on the state’s electric grid was generated by wind, far above the national average. And coal plants produced more power than any other electricity source. The big loser was natural gas.
Posted in
Congress
Guest Column: Senator Dewhurst Is Not Inevitable
If the race to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison is over before it begins — if the lieutenant governor and his vast personal wealth have this locked up — why are so many credible candidates saying they’ll run? Because they see an opportunity.
Posted in
Health care
Managed Into the Red?
Texas hospital administrators aren’t thrilled about the 10 percent Medicaid provider rate cut included in the House’s proposed budget. But what they fear more is the proposed expansion of Medicaid managed care, which could force them to forgo a combined $1 billion a year in federal funding.
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Campaign Totals
How much did state-level candidates raise, spend and owe in the closing days of 2010 — and how much do they still have for future campaigns? Our interactive table lets you sort the totals by dollar amounts, election type, political party and candidate status.
Posted inState Government
Why Is Voter ID an Emergency?
State Sens. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, debate the importance of voter ID, which Gov. Rick Perry has declared a legislative emergency. Perry’s designation allows lawmakers to consider the measure during the first 60 days of the session.
Posted inState Government
Hinojosa: We Won’t Just Play Dead
It’s a foregone conclusion that the composition of the Texas Senate, 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats, means the controversial voter ID bill will win approval in the upper chamber. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, explains why Senate Democrats have to keep the fight — despite being outnumbered.
Posted in
State Government
TribBlog: Voter ID Fight Set for Tuesday
Most of the drama was saved for another day in the Texas Senate after the first installment of the planned debate over the contentious voter ID bill was postponed. Senate Democrats did their best, however, to derail Republicans’ attempts to fast track the issue, which Gov. Rick Perry declared an emergency item last week.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Why Is There a COW in the Capitol?
Legislation has to go through committees before the entire House or Senate can have a look. It’s a way of dividing up the work and getting things straightened out as much as possible before they get the full treatment from the Legislature. But there’s a pecking order involved. And that’s when the COW gets called in.
Posted in
Congress
2012: Jonesing for a Senate Race
Republican Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones will officially begin — or revive, rather — her campaign to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Tuesday.
