According to recent data, average levels of ozone — more commonly known as smog — decreased by nearly 25 percent in Texas between 2000 and 2013. But does the credit for cleaning up Texas air belong to Gov. Rick Perry? Neena Satija writes that opinions vary.
Governor’s Office
Posted inEnergy, Environment, State Government
Texas Now Hands-Down Leader in Wind Power
When Gov. Rick Perry first took office, Texas’ wind energy sector hardly existed. But the state has since become the nation’s leader in wind energy generation, Jim Malewitz writes, and Perry — more commonly associated with oil and gas — helped steer that boom.
Posted inHigher Education, State Government
Leading a Push for Fundamental Change in Academic Affairs
Higher education has often been at the forefront for Rick Perry during his time as governor. Reeve Hamilton writes that Perry has had clear influence on the state’s colleges and universities and has emerged as a strong critic of rising tuition.
Posted inPublic Education, State Government
Guarding State Control of Public Schools — With Money on the Line
Protecting Texas’ oversight of school classrooms against federal regulation has been the most prominent feature of Gov. Rick Perry’s approach to education.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Immigration, Politics, State Government
Five — and a Half — Things We Won’t Forget About Gov. Rick Perry
Boiling down Gov. Rick Perry’s legacy into a few bullet points isn’t easy. But reporters Reeve Hamilton and Jay Root look at some things people will surely remember years after Perry has left office. Their feature kicks off our 10-part series, The Perry Legacy.
Posted in
Politics
Inside Texas Politics: Perry, Abbott and Straus
On this week’s edition of WFAA-TV’s Inside Texas Politics: Gov. Rick Perry and the renaming of a building, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott tours the state and more on the race for speaker of the state House.
Posted in
Health care
Roundup: Funding Mental Health and a Perry Proposal
This week in the Roundup: With just a few weeks left in office, Gov. Rick Perry is planning an official farewell address to lawmakers, a Texas A&M proposal to honor Perry is pulled and the state is poised to weigh another sizable investment in mental health care.
Posted in
Higher Education
Perry Declines to Have A&M Building Named After Him
UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry’s office confirmed Thursday that Perry has declined the offer of having Texas A&M University’s Academic Building named after him.
Posted in
Politics
Perry Planning Farewell Speech to Legislators
Gov. Rick Perry has proposed addressing a joint session of the Legislature one more time before he leaves office, a spokesman for the governor’s office confirmed Sunday.
Posted in
Politics
Abbott Says Education Will Be Top Policy Priority
During a news conference in which he announced the selection of his senior staff, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott said Monday that he wants to improve the educational foundation that students receive in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.
