John Montford: The TT Interview
The former prosecutor, state lawmaker, Texas Tech chancellor and AT&T executive talks about his latest initiative to make casino gambling legal in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/ART_JohnMontford.jpg)
-
![John Montford with www.lettexansdecide.com]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Jack Abramoff: The TT Interview
The former lobbyist on how to regulate lobbying in Washington, why he thinks the system is essentially corrupt, when money in politics is a problem and when it's not, and why anyone should listen to someone like him. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Jack-Abromoff.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Anti-Cockfighting Law Could Aid Enforcement
Animal welfare activists are hoping for a renewed crackdown on illegal cockfighting now that laws passed last legislative session are in effect. Forcing the birds to fight was already illegal; now, it's also against the law to breed the birds or attend a fight. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_DSC2929_106277.JPG)
![The Humane Society of the United States supplied key information that led to the raid of an alleged cockfighting breeding facility in Santa Fe, Tex.]()
Credit: Kathy Milani -
In Perry's Texas, the Man Behind the Curtain
Behind every politician there are men and women working in the wings, who can make calls, fix problems, raise money, punish enemies. In Rick Perry’s world, one man stands above them all: Mike Toomey. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryToomey.jpg)
![Toomey with Perry in the Texas House in 1985.]()
Credit: Texas State Library & Archives Commision / The Texas Tribune -
Session's End Creates Graveyard of Failed Legislation
The system is meant to kill legislation: That’s the old line often heard around the Capitol. As the session's end slams the coffin door on a slew of bills, more than a few lawmakers are taking solace in the fact that their dead bills have lots of company. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_TexasCapitol_MS_5.jpg)
![Texas Capitol]()
-
House Committee Advances Gambling, Without Casinos
Attention, gamblers. A Texas House committee surprised the casino lobby Friday night when it voted out legislation that would allow video lottery terminals — slot machines — at state racetracks and Indian reservations. The casinos were left behind. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Texas-Slot-Machine.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Andrea Young: The TT Interview
The president and chief operating officer of the Sam Houston Race Park on legislation that would allow slot machines at horse and dog tracks in Texas, why she believes that's a good idea, and why it has a chance this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Andrea-Young-Intv-Still.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Interview: Speaker Joe Straus on the Budget and Session
House Speaker Joe Straus was interviewed eariler this week by Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, government prof and half of the Tribune's polling team, about the session so far, the budget, gambling, rewriting state taxes, federal stimulus money and what he thinks about the tempest over research and teaching at the state's top universities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/JoeStrausScreenGrab.jpg)
![House Speaker Joe Straus]()
Credit: Texas Politics Project -
TribLive: Thompson on Gambling
At last Thursday's TribLive, State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, made the economic development case for legalized gambling in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Senfronia_screencap_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
TribLive: Thompson on Gambling, Race and the Democrats
For our most recent TribLive conversation, I interviewed state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, about gambling, how Democrats can regain their mojo and whether being black and being Republican are incompatible. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Senfronia_screencap.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
The Week in Texas Politics Recap: March 28—April 1
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/CapitolDome.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 73
In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss statements by the Legislative Budget Board, the situation with gambling bills, and the saga of Willie Nelson. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Supporters: Gaming Would Generate Needed Revenue
Allowing gambling in Texas could boost the economy, create thousands of jobs and help lawmakers close the state's looming budget gap, gambling advocates told lawmakers in a House committee meeting today. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/gambling.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Jack Pratt: The TT Interview
Jack Pratt, chairman of the Texas Gaming Association, has tried for years to convince Texas lawmakers to let voters decide whether to allow casinos in the state. He's back again, proposing a combination of casinos, "racinos" (racetracks with slot machines), and Indian casinos that he and his economists say would bring more than $1.2 billion into the state treasury every year. We asked Pratt about the new proposal, the political environment, and the odds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/JackPratt.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Jack Pratt: The TT Interview (audio)
An interview with Jack Pratt of the Texas Gaming Association. Full Story
-
Jack Pratt: The TT Interview
The head of the Texas Gaming Association, who's trying to convince Texas lawmakers to legalize casinos, on what's different this year, what he says to people who just don't like gambing, and how his likes his chances. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Feb. 21 to 25, 2011. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/tribweek-feb262011.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Why Gambling's Odds Have Improved (Hint: We're Broke)
Like the Republican Party of Texas and many of his core voters, Gov. Rick Perry no longer supports expanded gambling here. This year, that might not make any difference. Full Story
![Article thumbnail]()
-
UT/TT Poll: Texans Are Ready to Roll the Dice
A majority of the state's voters say they're ready for full-blown casino gambling, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Feb23PollCharts.008.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Jacob Villanueva -
UT/TT Poll: Voters Want Budget Cuts but Don't Like Options
By more than 2 to 1, Texas voters believe lawmakers should solve the state's shortfall by cutting the budget, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll, but they're divided on specific cuts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BalanceTheBudget001_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22f435eed82b122e8c90bfbbfffbbe8e/BD%20INC%20Pratt%200773%202011)