For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked about the state's infrastructure problems, about tax incentives for a cash-rich company and about the economic effects of Texas vs. the EPA. Full Story
Looking to get an early start on shaping the budget discussions for the 2013 legislative session, the Texans for a Conservative Budget Coalition has made recommendations to lawmakers. Full Story
Texas has scored a 68 out of 100, placing 27th in a national state integrity study. The state got high marks for auditing and for monitoring pension funds, but not as high for accountability of the governor and legislators. Full Story
Since Texas' lowest dip in the recession, the state has added nearly 500,000 jobs. This interactive explores how the economy has changed by industry and region. Full Story
Critics are questioning the use of state money they say is being spent to attract sporting events that originated in Texas and don’t appear to be leaving anytime soon. Full Story
Still on the track to recovery, Texas added 67,200 jobs in January. For the 18th consecutive month employment in the state has grown. In 2011, the state gained a total of 258,200 jobs. Full Story
The executive director of NALEO's Educational Fund on what it will take to motivate Latinos to vote this year, why immigration isn't the group's only concern and why voter ID legislation is a bad idea. Full Story
University of Houston President Renu Khator is setting aside $30 million to bring in 60 new faculty members over the next two years, all of them in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. Full Story
This week, the University of Texas and The Texas Tribune released results from our latest poll measuring voter attitudes. The Tribune's Thanh Tan talks to executive editor Ross Ramsey about the major takeaways. Full Story
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. Full Story
Aaronson interactively charts the legal wrangling between Texas and the feds, Aguilar on what Obama's budget means for the border, Galbraith on congressional ambivalence about a wind tax credit, Grissom on cuts to crime victims services, Hamilton on UT-Austin's plan to boost graduation rates, Ramsey on our woefully low voter turnout, Ramshaw on a new Super PAC targeting incumbents of both parties, Root on conservative opposition to the Keystone pipeline and M. Smith on cash-starved school districts in the advertising game: The best of our best content from February 13-17, 2012. Full Story
The Legislature gave voters what they said they wanted last year: big budget cuts in lieu of tax increases. Now it's election time again, and the question is: Are they pleased with the budget cuts they got? Full Story
At the Port of Houston, which supports hundreds of thousands of Texas jobs, business leaders say outdated trucking regulations hurt their business. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, changing those rules would require legislative action. Full Story
The state Legislature heads back to work in less than a year. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the state’s improving economy won't likely save legislators from the protracted budget battle that awaits them. Full Story
The insiders think Ron Paul's biggest obstacle is Ron Paul, are pessimistic about Texas Democrats, and predict Democratic primaries focused on education and Republican primaries focused on spending and taxes. Full Story
There were 5.7 million Texans — nearly a quarter of the population — who lacked health insurance in 2010, according to the latest American Community Survey data. This visualization shows you who the uninsured are in Texas. It's not always who you'd expect. Full Story
The unemployment rate in Texas dropped significantly at the end of 2011. Check out the annual industry changes in Texas' major metropolitan areas and the unemployment rate in each county with this updated interactive map. Full Story