More than 373,000 Texans went uncounted by the 2000 census, resulting in a loss of $1 billion in federal funds. With eight of the nation’s 50 hardest-to-count counties right here in our state, the coming 2010 census is a cause for concern — and an apparent lack of attention by elected officials is making matters worse.
Texas Legislature
Posted in
State Government
2010: Newspaper Endorsements: Star-Telegram for Chavez-Thompson
“[S]he would bring a fresh perspective, a commitment to work with both sides of the aisle and an emphasis on the state’s public schools and higher education…”
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Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Budget Cuts Due [Updated]
State agencies are expected to submit their budget cuts today.
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State Government
Primary Color: Five to Watch
In honor of today’s kickoff of early voting — a two-week period in which political junkies, committed activists and other go-to-the-head-of-the-class types will line up to cast ballots for their favorite candidates, unable to contain their enthusiasm or anger until March 2 — we present five different installments in our Primary Color series. Brandi Grissom reports on the GOP face-off to take on state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, in House District 78. Elise Hu tackles the four-way scrum between Republicans in HD-20 hoping to succeed retiring state Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown. Ross Ramsey asks why a perenially safe incumbent, state Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, has a fight on her hands this year in HD-98. Abby Rapoport looks at the battle for conservative cred in the race for the District 5 seat on the State Board of Education. And Morgan Smith picks apart the five-way race for the GOP nomination in Congressional District 23 — and the chance to topple U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio.
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State Government
Primary Color: HD-98
State Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Southlake, has won and won easily since wresting the district from a GOP incumbent in a 1998 runoff. But this year is different. She’ll face three opponents and voters who might be in an anti-incumbent mood.
Posted inState Government
Primary Color: HD-20
In one of the fastest growing and most conservative areas of the state, four Republicans are vying for the Texas House seat of outgoing state Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown.
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State Government
HuTube: Ronnie Earle’s Green Screen Challenge
Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Ronnie Earle is using online video to introduce himself to more Texans, but his first foray isn’t likely to go viral.
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Criminal Justice
Survey Says…
Texans are more worried about the economy and the direction of the country than anything else, according to the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Other notable findings: Nearly two-thirds support either gay marriage or civil unions, nearly half prefer private health insurance to a government-run plan, and more than a third think the Legislature meets every year.
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Economy
TribBlog: Tax Revenues Continue to Fall
Sales tax collections fell by double digits, again.
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State Government
2010: Newspaper Endorsements: DMN, SAEN on Lite Guv
“Earle has the better insight into the levers of power in government,” says the Morning News. “Chavez-Thompson is undoubtedly the best Democratic candidate in the race,” says the Express-News.
