State government

On the Records: A Data Challenge for Texas

by Matt Stiles

What are state and local governments in Texas doing to make raw data available to the public? Not much. Full Story 

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

by Ross Ramsey

It was a political week, with a full-court press from our staff on Bill White's switch to the governor's race and all of the fallout; the moves during the first week of filing for political races; Philpott's look at Republicans challenging Republicans; Hu's latest in the popular Stump Interrupted series; Ramshaw on emergency rooms, family doctors, and child protection; Stiles and Grissom mapping payday lending locations juxtaposed with family income data; Rapoport on the state budget and education; Thevenot on KBH's plans for schools; and Hamilton on the power (or not) of political endorsements. The best of the best from November 28 to December 4, 2009. Full Story 

2010: McLeroy vs. the World

by Abby Rapoport

Lobbyists from across the Republican party come out to support one of their own for State Board of Education, forsaking former chair Don McLeroy. Full Story 

2010: Dan Patrick Staying Put, Endorsing Combs

by Evan Smith

Forget what I said on this week's TribCast, parroting the chatter around the Capitol: The state senator from Houston is not considering a primary challenge to his fellow Republican, Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs. Full Story 

TribBlog: Some States May Ban Return-to-work

by Emily Ramshaw

Though Texas employees are increasingly retiring just to get rehired — a clever way to bring in a salary AND a pension at once — USA Today reports that many states are curbing the practice. Full Story 

TribBlog: Whitmire Wants "Top-to-Bottom" Changes at TDCJ

by Matt Stiles

"If the prison administrators cannot get the job done, we need to find some who can." Full Story 

2010: Gilbert Switches to Ag, Endorses Shami

by Ross Ramsey

Hank Gilbert got out of the race for the Democratic nomination for governor, saying there are "two credible candidates" in the race. And he said he'll be a candidate for agriculture commissioner — the office he tried unsuccessfully to win in 2006. And then came the real surprise: Gilbert said he is endorsing Farouk Shami for the Democratic nomination. Full Story 

The Doctor is In ... Eventually

by Emily Ramshaw

State health officials are considering lifting a requirement that Texas emergency rooms have a physician on-site at all times — as long as one can get there within 30 minutes. Full Story 

2010: The Re-Entrance of Bill White

by Elise Hu

Bill White's expected to announce for governor today. We'll get you caught up to speed on what led to this day, help flesh out what it all means, and take a quick look ahead. Full Story 

On the Records: The Lobby Latest

by Matt Stiles

How many people could you feed with $2.7 million? Full Story 

The Brief: December 3, 2009

by Reeve Hamilton

The season for speculating is drawing to an end. Politicians, it’s time to stake your claim. Full Story 

TribBlog: A Felony For You, a Felony For Me

by Emily Ramshaw

Criminal justice blogger Scott Henson is reporting on Grits For Breakfast that lawmakers put 59 new felonies on the books during the last legislative session. Full Story 

2010: Clean Slate

by Ross Ramsey

Remember Van Taylor? Full Story 

TribBlog: Federal "Takeover" of Texas Schools?

by Brian Thevenot

Texas school chief calls requirements to adopt national curriculum standards "unprecedented intrusiveness" Full Story 

2010: Paxton Ducks

by Ross Ramsey

Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, is not, Not, NOT running against Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, in spite of reports that he was planning a challenge. Full Story 

The Brief: December 2, 2009

by Reeve Hamilton

With the filing deadline fast approaching, are Democrats beginning to feel some holiday cheer? Full Story 

Debtors' Treadmill: Treasure Map

by Brandi Grissom and Matt Stiles

Short-term, high-interest lenders are clustered in neighborhoods where the median household income is less than $50,000 a year. Full Story 

2010: The Ogden Show

by Ross Ramsey

Wednesday could be the day voters in SD-5 find out whether Steve Ogden has changed his mind about getting out of the Legislature. Maybe. Full Story 

Cloudy with a Chance of Money

by Abby Rapoport

The Rainy Day Fund seems like weather word play waiting to happen. It can plug holes in the budget, defend against an economic perfect storm and keep the deficit clouds at bay. That’s certainly how some see it when looking at the next biennium's projected shortfalls. Full Story 

Rising Removals

by Emily Ramshaw

Removals of Texas children from abusive homes have reached their highest point since the 2008 polygamist sect raid, when hundreds were taken into custody in a single day. Full Story