A conservative think tank and Republican state leaders gathered this morning to offer their solutions to the state’s “unsustainable” Medicaid cost crunch.
82nd Legislative Session
Wentworth, Rodriguez Debate Campus Carry on CNN
On today’s broadcast of CNN’s American Morning, state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, and state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, debated the controversial issue of concealed handguns on college campuses.
Garnet Coleman: The TT Interview
The Democratic state representative from Houston on his Republican colleagues’ quest for a federal Medicaid waiver, the problem with block grants and what realistically the feds could do to help Texas and other states.
TribLive: Carter, Burkett and Anderson
Last Wednesday, I sat down with three first-term members of the Texas House — Stefani Carter, R-Dallas; Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite; and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie — to talk about their first weeks in office.
Carter, Burkett and Anderson on Public Ed Cuts
At last Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, first-term House members Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, explained why they think deep cuts to public education are possible.
Carter, Burkett and Anderson on the Speaker’s Race
At last Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, first-term House member Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, explained why she voted against Speaker Joe Straus. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, talked about losing the North Texas Tea Party’s “approved” status after she voted for Straus. And Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, weighed in on his own vote for Straus.
Carter, Burkett and Anderson on the Rainy Day Fund
At last Wednesday’s TribLive conversation, first-term House members Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, Cindy Burkett, R-Mesquite, and Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, talked about whether the Legislature should dip into the Rainy Day Fund to reduce the size of the projected budget shortfall.
“Rube Goldberg” School Finance System Faces New Test
Cutting $10 billion public education funding could push more than two-dozen school districts from the group that receives state financing into the group that writes checks to the state to even things out between richer and poorer districts.
Small Brewers Pushing to Tap Into the Action
Brewpubs want to be able to sell their distinctive beers in stores, restaurants and other bars and are fighting for the right to expand. The major beer distributors like things the way they are.
Texas Seeks Medicaid Waiver, but Prognosis Is Poor
Only months ago, Texas lawmakers threatened to drop out of Medicaid. Now, Texas and other financially strapped states are asking Washington for permission to operate the program as they see fit.

