Gov. Rick Perry has said the Rainy Day Fund should be preserved as an insurance policy against natural disasters, but Texas can’t actually dip into it until the next legislative session — in 2013.
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.
Posted in
Politics
Court Cartography
Don’t expect a redistricting ruling out of San Antonio quickly. Some of the lawyers — and this requires more lawyers than a Hollywood divorce — say the Texas judges might hold their ruling until the DC courts are finished. That could be November, or even December.
Posted in
Politics
Challenge to Texas Redistricting Opens in Federal Court
The state’s new political maps are now in the hands of the federal government. An army of lawyers lined up before the start of federal hearings on Tuesday, lugging boxes of papers and briefcases bulging with the scribbled notes and other arguments they’ll present over the next two weeks.
Posted in
Politics
Why the Redistricting Lawsuit Matters
Because — as both Democrats and Republicans know well — the drawing of congressional, legislative and State Board of Education district lines determines, to a large extent, the outcomes of future elections.
Posted in
Politics
Doggett vs. the GOP and the Political Map
Austin Democrats are pretty unhappy with the Republican Legislature’s redistricting maps, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett is the poster child for their frustrations. Their anger might save him.
Posted in
Politics
A Congressional Double-Header Out West
State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, says he is filing papers to run for the CD-23 congressional seat now held by Republican Francisco “Quico” Canseco of San Antonio. And in El Paso, former City Rep. Beto O’Rourke says that he will challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes in the Democratic primary election next year.
Posted in
Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: The Pecking Order
Hand a bunch of insiders a list of 31 senators and ask what’s going to happen next, and you turn them into outsiders.
Posted in
Politics
Gallego Will Challenge Canseco for Congressional Seat
State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, says he is filing papers this week to run for the congressional seat now held by Republican Francisco “Quico” Canseco of San Antonio.
Posted in
Politics
Video: Romney Blasts “Career Politicians”
Speaking at the 112th Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in San Antonio, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took aim at “career politicians” for putting the country in bad shape. It was a thinly veiled swipe at Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted in
Economy
Miracle or Mirage, What Kinds of Jobs Has Texas Created?
The debate over whether job creation in Texas economy is a “mirage” or a “miracle” raises several questions: What jobs do Texans commonly hold right now? How much do those jobs pay? And what jobs is Texas creating?