In a move seemingly at odds with the state’s budget woes, the Texas Facilities Commission voted Wednesday to consider expanding the Capitol complex in downtown Austin. But as Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, the commission says it could actually save the state some money.
Austin
All UT, All The Time
In a match made in Longhorn athletics heaven, the University of Texas and ESPN have struck a deal to launch a 24-hour TV network thatโs all UT, all the time. As Ian Crawford of KUT News reports, it’s a lucrative venture for UT, which says it’ll use the network for more than just athletics.
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 63
In this week’s TribCast, Ross, Elise, Ben and Reeve discuss budget numbers, Senate rules, the U.S. Senate race and the inaugural buzz heard around Austin.
TribBlog: Killing Them With Contact
Among the most controversial issues in House Bill 1, the base budget, is its denial of state funding to four community colleges. While the bill does not represent a final decision, critics say presenting the proposed budget executions this way is as dangerous as the methodology behind the decision is misleading.
TribBlog: Innocence Clinics Dodge Budget Bullet, for Now
Texas innocence clinics escaped unscathed from the first round of budget cut recommendations, but at the Capitol today, advocates said they aren’t safe yet.
Texplainer: Why the Skeleton Staffs at State Offices Today?
Hey, Texplainer: Why are Texas state agencies operating with a skeleton crew today? Well, it’s a venerated Texas holiday, of course: Confederate Heroes’ Day. How are you celebrating?
Texas Inaugurama
Gov. Rick Perry was sworn in Tuesday for an unprecedented third full term, predicting that historians will look back on this time as the “Texas century.”
A Stiff Cocktail of Budget Cuts
The Texas House has unveiled a $156.4 billion budget that’s $31.1 billion smaller than the current two-year spending plan โ a drop of 16.6 percent. The proposed budget came with $1.2 billion in recommendations for savings and new revenue from the Legislative Budget Board.
Uncut: Perry’s Inauguration Speech
Full, unedited video of Gov. Rick Perry’s Tuesday inauguration speech.
TribBlog: Sparking an Apology
They’re sorry, folks. Spark Energy says it’s sincerely sorry for causing such a literal roar at this morning’s inauguration ceremony.

