Is Texas Prepared for a Public Health Emergency?
State officials have characterized the response to an Ebola diagnosis in Dallas as top-notch, but medical experts argue that the state’s public health infrastructure may be vulnerable. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/01/EbolaTexas_1.jpg)
The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
State officials have characterized the response to an Ebola diagnosis in Dallas as top-notch, but medical experts argue that the state’s public health infrastructure may be vulnerable. Full Story
Texas health officials have expanded to 100 their list of people who may have had contact with a man in the Dallas area confirmed to be infected with the Ebola virus. Eighteen people are already under observation. Full Story
As many as 18 individuals in the Dallas area are under observation by Dallas County health officials after coming in contact with a patient confirmed to be infected with the Ebola virus, officials said on Wednesday. Full Story
On Tuesday, federal and state health officials confirmed the first U.S. case of Ebola in a patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Here's what you need to know about the case. Full Story
Republican Dan Patrick and Democrat Leticia Van de Putte were asked 10 questions in Monday's debate. But there had been more waiting for them. Here's a look at the questions that didn't fit into the hourlong debate. Full Story
During a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Gov. Rick Perry said he would be better prepared than he was in 2012 if he decides to run for president again in 2016. He said his poor health contributed to his poor performance. Full Story
In the only scheduled debate in their race for lieutenant governor, state Sens. Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte faced off on Monday night in a lively exchange that displayed divergent positions. Full Story
Full video of the 9/29 debate between the major party candidates for Texas lieutenant governor: state Sens. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. Full Story
State Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor, says Attorney General Greg Abbott, her Republican opponent, intentionally used the power of his office to hide misspending in the troubled Texas Enterprise Fund. Full Story
When lawmakers are not working on all of the things you hear about — budgets, education, immigration and so on — they are often refereeing fights between businesses. And some of next year's battles are already shaping up. Full Story
In Texas, reports of loose oversight over hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development funds, cancer research grants and plain old tax money are fueling pointed criticism from both the left and the right. Full Story
UPDATED: Attorney General Greg Abbott will appeal a ruling that the Texas school finance system is unconstitutional, according to a notice his office sent Friday to attorneys in the case. The appeal is set to go directly to the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
A lawsuit filed by an Austin lawyer is arguing that Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Susan Combs had no authority to spend taxpayer money on criminal defense attorneys for the governor, who is fighting an indictment. Full Story
House Speaker Joe Straus, seeking a fourth term at the helm of the chamber, is facing a challenge from state Rep. Scott Turner. If Straus prevails, he could gain an advantage in setting the agenda for the next legislative session. Full Story
Following opposition from gun rights organizations, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission this week dropped proposed rules changes that would have allowed alcohol sales alongside gun sales. Full Story
Several conservative writers had made a connection between the death of comedian Joan Rivers and Texas' regulation of abortion clinics before Gov. Rick Perry's comment on the matter Sunday. Full Story
Full video of Ross Ramsey's 2014 Texas Tribune Festival keynote conversation with state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, Speaker of the Texas House. Full Story
A vow by state Sen. Dan Patrick, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, to repeal the Texas DREAM Act could face criticism from Republicans trying to reach out to Hispanic voters. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry, speaking on Sunday at The Texas Tribune Festival, said he still supports a Texas law that grants in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. He also said he would not decide whether he was going to run for president until 2015. Full Story
Greg Abbott, the Republican nominee for Texas governor, is trying to break the Democrats’ near lock on deep South Texas. The Democrats are dismissive of his effort, but it underscores the importance both camps are attaching to Hispanics this year. Full Story