Analysis: Smitherman Lost, but Stays in Game
Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman lost his bid for attorney general, but he remains an oil and gas regulator and has sought industry help retiring campaign debts and perhaps landing a job. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/10/TxTribLive-Smitherman199.jpg)
-
![Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman in his office on May 31, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Polling Center: Threading the Needle on Education
Education policy is usually a winner for Democratic candidates, but in Texas, things are more nuanced, especially when it comes to education spending. This year's race for governor race is a great example. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K4.jpg)
![Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda teaches her students the concept of "push" by having them join hands and push back and forth in her classroom at the Dallas Independent School District elementary school Cesar Chavez Learning Center in 2013.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
The Brief: April 10, 2014
With the three-day Civil Rights Summit wrapping up today, Politico's Todd S. Purdum dives into the paradoxes on display this week in Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/09/rbz_LBJ_Civil_Rights_Summit_09.jpg)
![President Jimmy Carter and Luci Baines Johnson at the LBJ Library on April 8th, 2014]()
Credit: pool photo -
Livestream: Bill Clinton at Civil Rights Summit
Watch live as former President Bill Clinton addresses the Civil Rights Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Full Story
-
Analysis: As Davis Aims to Widen Appeal, Filibuster Remains a Calling Card
Wendy Davis, the Democratic nominee for governor, is trying to broaden her appeal beyond the filibuster that made her famous. But in her latest fundraising mailer to supporters, that June night is front and center. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/WendyDavis-Impressions.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Property Tax Lending Under Review Again
Facing an interim charge to review a bill regulating property tax loans in Texas, lawmakers are taking a closer look at the controversial industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: April 9, 2014
The Greg Abbott campaign wants to make clear it is not calling for testing of 4-year-olds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/02/UP9A9963.jpg)
![Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott speaks to media about his education proposals at IDEA Carver Academy in San Antonio, Texas on April 2nd, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Campaign: Pre-K Plan Does Not Mean More Tests
After questions were raised about language in a policy proposal that appears to call for the biannual testing of pre-kindergarten students, Greg Abbott’s campaign is clarifying his early education plan, saying he is not calling for such tests. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/02/UP9A0166.jpg)
![Attorney General Greg Abbott promoting his pre-kindergarten education proposal on April 2, 2014, at the IDEA Carver Academy in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Livestream: Jimmy Carter at Civil Rights Summit
Watch live as LBJ Library director Mark Updegrove interviews former President Jimmy Carter during the first day of the Civil Rights Summit in Austin. Full Story
-
At Civil Rights Summit, Castro, Barbour Call for Immigration Reform
At the Civil Rights Summit in Austin, Democratic San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a Republican, both expressed optimism that Congress could pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/08/7C2A0854.jpg)
![Mayor Julian Castro and former Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour, speak to media during the Civil Rights Summit on April 8th, 2014]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Leticia Van De Putte Rally in Austin
Here's full video of Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Leticia Van De Putte's rally Monday at the University of Texas at Austin, as she wrapped up a statewide bus tour. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/VDP_rally_UT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Donors to Governor's Marketing Tool See Some Benefits of Their Own
A Tribune investigation into contributors to TexasOne, Gov. Rick Perry's chief tool to promote the "Texas Miracle," found that its top contributors have also been beneficiaries of state economic programs and influential appointments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/PerryOne-2-Closer-noApp.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Claudio Geoffroy -
The Brief: April 8, 2014
A special prosecutor's report appears to give a House panel all the ammunition it would need to recommend charges of impeachment against University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall Jr. — should they choose that route. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
After Fort Hood Shooting, Activists Clash at Capitol Over Open Carry Policy
Lawmakers heard arguments for and against allowing Texans to carry handguns openly during a committee hearing on Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/12/Guns-Capitol-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond -
GOP Railroad Commission Hopefuls Trade Ethics Barbs
A former Texas Railroad Commission chairman is helping Ryan Sitton fight back against conflict-of-interest allegations in the Republican primary runoff for an open seat on the commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/07/RRC-Candidates.jpg)
![Candidates for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Ryan Sitton, left, and Wayne Christian.]()
-
The Brief: April 7, 2014
Because it's never too early to talk about 2016, here are a couple of reads for your Monday on what to expect from some high-profile Republicans should they pull the trigger on a White House run. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Patrick, Now in Driver's Seat, Credits Grass Roots
State Sen. Dan Patrick has credited his success to grassroots support. But the Houston Republican's momentum has also been built on lessons learned navigating the old-school politics of Harris County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/04/Patrick3-web.jpg)
![State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, speaks to supporters in Houston after primary election results indicate he is heading into a runoff with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.]()
Credit: Daniel Kramer -
Davis Addresses Volunteers Ahead of Canvassing Efforts
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis highlighted her efforts to mobilize Texas voters at volunteer summit in Austin on Saturday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/24/_F5U7206.jpg)
![Wendy Davis listens to a press question at Scholtz Garden on March 24, 2014 following an equal pay rally.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Polling Center: Texans Aim for Self-Defense in Gun Control Debate
To the extent that Wednesday's Fort Hood shooting prompts a renewed discussion of guns in Texas, discussion will almost certainly be dominated by talk of increasing access to guns, not curtailing it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/04/AFortHoodFr0003CMS.jpg)
![The Guns Galore shop in Killeen where alleged Fort Hood shooter Ivan Lopez purchased the handgun used in the April 2, 2014 mass slaying.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Rookie Candidate Meets Big State, Crowded Ballot
In his first run for public office, Malachi Boyuls encountered a big state, a crowded ballot and some difficulty with names — both his own and that of the office he sought. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/03/TTF2013-RegulatingEnergy097-2.jpg)
![Malachi Boyuls speaks during the Regulating Energy panel at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sep. 28, 2013.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed27ce751366acaaffe09a9b8c4accd3/BD%20INC%20Regents%20428%202013)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4ae2bed91ea422d55da6e84a2e0a786/BD%20INC%20Education%20Senate%20537%202013)