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The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.

  • The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman

  • The Brief: Feb. 24, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    This month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll explored registered voters' views on carrying handguns in public, finding a strong plurality of 45 percent supporting the current legal framework of licensed concealed carry. Full Story 

    Activists who support a legislative proposal that would lift the state's handgun licensing requirements stand outside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • The Brief: Feb. 23, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are the co-favorites among Texas Republicans to take their party's nomination for president, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit at the Hoyt Sherman Place theater in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.
    Credit: Rebecca F. Miller

  • Return to Disappearing Rio Grande Expedition

    By Colin McDonald

    To report on and understand the haphazard irrigation system the Rio Grande has become and the changes it is going through, Colin McDonald decided the best approach would be to travel the length of the Rio Grande by foot and small boat. Relive his journey here. Full Story 

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    Credit: Mike Kane

  • Legislation Would Let Tesla Sell in Texas

    By Jim Malewitz

    A group of state lawmakers have filed legislation that would allow Tesla to sell its luxury electric cars at as many as 12 stores in Texas, renewing the California-based company’s challenge to a state law protecting franchised auto dealers. Full Story 

    Tesla vehicle on display outside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 15, 2015.
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

  • Lawmakers Asked to Boost Parks Funding

    By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal

    State parks are crumbling under the weight of decades of deferred maintenance. Lawmakers and state officials say they desperately need a funding boost from the 84th Legislature — and not just for the next two years. Full Story 

    Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville, Texas. 
    Credit: Reynaldo Leal

  • The Brief: Feb. 19, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign. Full Story 

    Health and Human Services Commission head Kyle Janek (l.) and state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who called for his resignation on Jan. 15, 2015.
    Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

  • The Brief: Feb. 13, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    The Kroll report, which looked into the admissions process at UT-Austin and whether some well-connected people had too much influence on that process, surfaced on Thursday. Full Story 

    Regent Wallace L. Hall, Jr. of the University of Texas System at the regular meeting of the Board on May 15, 2014
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Hays Groundwater Fight Portends Battles to Come

    By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal

    Anger boiled over at a town hall meeting Tuesday night as Hays County residents decried a company's plan to pump and sell millions of gallons of groundwater. The heated dispute foreshadows more to come in a growing state that's running out of water. Full Story 

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    Credit: Axel Gerdau

  • The Brief: Feb. 11, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    The Tribune's Terri Langford has uncovered a new problem with the no-bid Medicaid fraud software contract awarded to 21CT by the Health and Human Services Commission. Full Story 

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    Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman

  • The Brief: Feb. 10, 2015

    By John Reynolds

    A handful of former HHSC employees are suing for wrongful termination in the aftermath of revelations over the awarding of a no-bid Medicaid fraud contract. Full Story 

    Irene Williams, CEO of 21CT, and Jack Stick, a top attorney at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Erich Schlegel