Will there be enough money to cover the current state budget? "Fortunately, it's too early to tell," jokes House Speaker Joe Straus. He and other state leaders are well aware of the numbers, and although they think it's not yet time to act, they're focused on the big question. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/111809_salestax001_jv.jpg)
The Obama administration’s economic stimulus package has failed to create any jobs in Texas’ 52nd congressional district, despite pouring nearly $9 million into it. This would be a problem — if CD-52 existed. Full Story
It’s beginning to look a lot like primary season. Full Story
Texas probably started its version of the recession in the second half of 2008, and October of this year might turn out to have been the low point. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/IMG_1033.JPG)
Our searchable database of public employees' pay — now featuring data from universities and eight of the state's largest cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/payroll_screenshot.jpg)
The federal government is giving away $4.35 billion to state education systems through Race to the Top. But is Texas already out? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/111304_educationstack001_jv.png)
Idea for seminars at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Baker Institute of Public Policy, and the Bush School of Government and Public Service: How do you fire a cheerleader? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/GlennSmithPic.jpg)
The UT/Tribune poll results convey some very intense disapproval of political leadership. Full Story
State psychiatrists are making crazy money. Of the 100 highest paid state employees, 45 are psychiatrists, most of them employed by the state’s 10 mental hospitals. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/110509_chartstatejobs001.jpg)
Texans say immigration tops their list of state concerns. Nearly half of them say illegal immigrants should be deported, as against 41 percent who think the immigrants should be allowed to keep their jobs, assimilate, and eventually be allowed to apply for legal status. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/110509_immigrantschart001_jv.jpg)
The economy clearly leads Texans' list of concerns about the country in the inaugural University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/110409_chart002_jv.jpg)
States are struggling mightily to fund Medicaid services in one the deepest recessions in recent history, according to a 50-state health care study released by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. States, many of them strapped by budget shortfalls, overwhelmingly reported being saved by the federal stimulus package, and said without it, they would have been forced to make serious cuts in Medicaid eligibility. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/kaiserreport2009-09-30.jpg)
Border officials say their communities aren't being overrun with "lawless hordes" of Mexican drug runners and people smugglers, and they said Gov. Rick Perry is painting an inaccurate scary picture of their home. Full Story