Lighting up in bars, restaurants and in indoor areas of most businesses, health care facilities and sporting venues statewide will be a thing of the past if state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Lake Dallas, gets her way.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
Guy Clifton: The TT Interview
The Houston neurosurgeon, author and frequent health care adviser to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on his support for the individual insurance mandate, why cutting provider rates to rescue the budget is misguided and how far Texas would trim Medicaid if given the permission.
Deuell: Make Cuts, but Raise Taxes Too
State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now, he told the Tribune this evening.
Lawmakers Want State, Not Federal, Insurance Connector
State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, is no fan of “Obamacare.” But he told his House colleages this afternoon that if they don’t set up a health insurance exchange — one of the tenets of reform — by 2014, the federal government will do it for them.
Calling It Quits on Smoking Cessation?
Finding ways to cut health care costs is all the rage under the Pink Dome — and curbing smoking is a proven way to do it. But budget proposals slash tobacco cessation programs by more than 80 percent.
Hispanic Lawmakers Spar Over Politics of Race, Education
Protecting education and recognizing that the rapidly growing Hispanic population will gain a major political voice in Texas were themes that emerged Monday at the Tribune’s “New Day Rising” forum.
Are Texas Hispanics Up for Grabs?
Republican analysts said at today’s Texas Tribune “New Day Rising” forum that as Texas’ Hispanic population continues to surge, its traditionally Democratic electorate is more and more up for grabs.
In Dallas, “Big D” May No Longer Fit
Big D may need a new nickname. Despite a surging state population, the city of Dallas grew by a paltry 1 percent in the last decade — a rate lower than any of the 20 largest cities in Texas.
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Feb. 21 to 25, 2011.
The Week in Texas Politics Recap: 2/21 to 2/25
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.



