Muskets, bayonets, Confederate war heroes. Just a sample of some of the cool stuff Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson keeps in his office. In our latest HuTube vlog episode, we get Patterson to give us a tour.
Austin
Posted in
Criminal Justice
On the Records: Combs’ Open Data Center
Susan Combs’ new texastransparency.org includes an Open Data Center, where anyone can download dozens of raw data sets, much like the federal government’s data.gov.
Posted in
Politics
TribBlog: Of Rats and Men
State Sen. Kirk Watson’s spoof of the governor’s coyote adventure …
Posted inState Government
A Conversation with Francisco Cigarroa
For the eighth event in our TribLive series, I interviewed the tenth chancellor of the University of Texas System about the big three concerns of anyone in a leadership role in higher education these days: access, affordability and excellence.
Posted in
Economy
The Shell Game
If history is any guide, the Legislature will turn to accounting illusions to mask large portions of a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion. Trouble is, such trickery is a bet on the economy roaring back to life — and that’s no sure thing.
Posted inState Government
Changes Coming to the Big 12?
The Big 10 college sports conference is expected to add at least one new school sometime this year. Those in the know say Big 12 Conference member Missouri is the most popular choice. Losing one school isn’t likely to hurt the Big 12 — but what if the Big 10 adds 3 or 4 schools? What would that mean for the Big 12? Specifically, what would that mean for the Texas Longhorns? Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune filed this report.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Case of the Missing Prosecutors
Texas has more unfilled U.S. attorney positions than any other state — and that isn’t going to change soon. Currently, none of the four Texas districts have “presidentially confirmed” federal prosecutors, who are responsible for enforcing federal laws. Last week, John B. Stevens, a state district judge in Beaumont who was Barack Obama’s only nominee in Texas, withdrew his name from consideration, citing the protracted confirmation process. And that means we risk being left out of the administration’s inner circle on criminal and civil justice issues.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: ATX to Ariz: No Thanks!
In the wake of Arizona’s immigration legislation, the City of Austin will formally consider limiting travel and business with the state.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Case Against DeLay Aides Will Proceed
Today the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld criminal charges against John Colyandro and Jim Ellis, meaning the case against them related to their work for former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay’s political action committee will proceed at the trial court level.
Posted inState Government
TribBlog: Life Imitates @RickPerryFacts
Anyone surprised by the Associated Press story about Gov. Rick Perry killing a coyote during his morning jog clearly doesn’t follow @rickperryfacts on Twitter.
