Citing the need for more power to meet the demands of a burgeoning community, El Paso Electric plans to build a natural gas power plant. But a legislator has joined forces with a coalition of residents intent to fight the project.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
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Politics
Budget Amendment Pits Arts Against Firefighters
State Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, has reprised an effort from last session to remove funds from the Texas Commission on the Arts and dedicate them to assisting volunteer firefighters.
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Politics
Teachers Group Not Endorsing Amendments From Freshmen
The Texas Retired Teachers Association says it does not endorse any of the controversial budget amendments filed by freshman House Republicans that would put more money into the teachers’ health insurance fund.
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Politics
TribCast: Medicaid Expansion, Budget Fights and CPRIT
Emily, Ross, Reeve and Ayan discuss the debate over Medicaid expansion, the upcoming fight over the budget in the Texas House, and the latest issues with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Report Says Gun Running Into Mexico on the Rise
Discussions on gun control are replete with arguments about background checks, ammunition limits and issues related to mental-health awareness. Gun running to Mexico, however, remains a key concern, a new study shows.
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Bidness As Usual
Data App: Ethics Explorer
With the addition of more than a dozen statewide elected officials to our Lawmaker Explorer — including Attorney General Greg Abbott and Comptroller Susan Combs and the state’s railroad commissioners and Supreme Court justices — we’re renaming it the Ethics Explorer.
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Politics
The Evening Brief: April 2, 2013
Your evening reading: Cruz’s plans for South Carolina speech stir speculation; Williams says state will move to A-F grading system for schools; House lawmakers question CPRIT Foundation’s decision to rebrand
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Politics
The Polling Center: No Backlash to Public Education Cuts?
Polling over the last two years from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune suggests that education has not become more salient to Texas voters, nor have perceptions of school quality suffered significantly.
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Politics
The Brief: April 2, 2013
A clash of political heavyweights has pounded new urgency into the debate over Medicaid expansion in Texas.
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Politics
The Evening Brief: April 1, 2013
Your evening reading: press conferences highlight Medicaid expansion debate; FBI assisting Kaufman County murder investigation; House freshmen target budget to free up money for retired teachers