Texas lawmakers met on Monday to address a pressing problem: the possibility the state will really have to implement federal health care reforms.
Austin
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: Why Didn’t Perry Attend National Governors Conference?
Why did Gov. Rick Perry opt out of the National Governors Association conference last weekend? The answer is part penny-wise, part political.
Posted inState Government
Bashur, Influential and Admired Capitol Insider, Dead at 59
Reggie Bashur, a well-regarded lobbyist and political and media consultant, died this afternoon. The 59-year-old had been battling cancer for several months.
Posted in
Health care
Perry’s Surgeon Has Been Critical of Health Policies
The doctor performing Gov. Rick Perry’s clavicle surgery on Friday happens to be the president of the Texas Medical Association — and a vocal critic of some of the governor’s women’s health policies.
Posted in
State Government
Billionaire’s PAC Admits Contribution Error, Seeks Refunds
The political action committee of Dallas billionaire waste magnate Harold Simmons is asking 18 lawmakers to return about $65,000 in contributions after admitting that an oversight led to illegal campaign contributions.
Posted in
Energy
TCEQ’s Executive Director Retiring
Mark Vickery, the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, will retire in May — and his successor has yet to be chosen.
Posted inState Government
Weekend Insider: Students Sue UT, Retire on the Job
We look at two students suing over the University of Texas’ admissions policy and state officials collecting retirement pensions while keeping their jobs.
Posted in
Economy
More Texas Children Living in High-Poverty Areas
A new report says the number of Texas children living in areas of high poverty has increased about 40 percent over the past decade. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, advocacy groups hope the data will bolster anti-poverty programs.
Posted in
Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: Maps, Gays, and the Rich
We asked the insiders some questions that were also in the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll this week, seeking their opinions on redistricting commissions, gay marriage and the wealthy among us.
Posted inState Government
Democrats Launch “Truth Team”; GOP Calls Them Copycats
Just like Democrats all over the country, Texas lawmakers in the president’s party are coming to his defense with a new “Truth Team.” Texas Republicans say they’ve already been there and done that.
