Rep. Lon Burnam is Told That He Can Double Dip
State Rep. Lon Burnam has been told he can start drawing a government pension without leaving his job. But he wants to stop the hidden perk reserved for lawmakers. Full Story
The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
State Rep. Lon Burnam has been told he can start drawing a government pension without leaving his job. But he wants to stop the hidden perk reserved for lawmakers. Full Story
State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Forth Worth, shares his concerns about public officials collecting retirement while continuing to work. Full Story
A new poll sponsored by Planned Parenthood found that 59 percent of likely Texas voters oppose efforts to keep the health provider's clinics out of the joint state-federal Women's Health Program. But the poll is likely to have critics. Full Story
At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of North Texas in Denton on 2/28, state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, and state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Lake Dallas, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other by-products of the 82nd Session. Full Story
Texas Republicans grabbed just about every seat that wasn't protected by the Voting Rights Act. Democrats either have to find more voters or be forced to continue relying on ethnicity to protect the seats they still have. Full Story
John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas' state climatologist since 2000, has seen his duties explode in the last 18 months amid public clamor for information on the drought. Full Story
The federal judges in San Antonio unveiled their maps this week, and the analysis started right away. Here's the starter kit. Full Story
We appear to have a break in the redistricting wars that could be just long enough for an election, but the fighting isn't over. Full Story
Greg Abbott's decision to go to the U.S. Supreme Court provided fuel for his supporters and his critics. Full Story
The new maps issued this week by federal judges in San Antonio bear strong resemblance to the maps drawn last year by the Republican supermajority in the Legislature. On paper, they maintain the GOP advantage in the House, the Senate, and especially in the state's congressional delegation. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry today added his own voice to the increasingly loud controversy over the expected demise of Texas' Women's Health Program. Full Story
The Texas primaries will be held, as expected, on May 29, according to a federal court order issued this afternoon. Candidates have a week to file, starting tomorrow. Full Story
Lawmakers have approved carving prescription drugs into Medicaid managed care to save Texas money — an estimated $100 million over the next biennium. But pharmacists worry lower reimbursement rates will drive them under. Full Story
Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talk about the legacy of Ron Paul, the ramifications of the state's new political maps, and a Texas lawmaker's contingency plans for an asteroid attack. Full Story
UPDATED: Federal judges in San Antonio unveiled maps for the state's congressional delegation and for the state House this afternoon, and did it in time to allow the state to hold its delayed political primaries on May 29. The court also signed off on Senate plans agreed to earlier this month. Full Story
Brian Birdwell is the most conservative Texas state senator and Rodney Ellis is the most liberal, according to an analysis of senators' votes by Rice University political scientist Mark P. Jones. Full Story
To hold its election primaries on May 29, the state needs to have congressional and legislative maps by Saturday. If the maps aren't ready by then, it will be June before Texans get a say in the presidential primary. Full Story
Though a bill requiring that county jails release inmates only during daylight hours didn't pass in the last legislative session, the Harris County Jail has implemented the policy. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry's use of the obscure provision has shed light on a controversial practice that has remained in the shadows. Full Story
Greg Abbott is all set to run for governor, but now Rick Perry might be in his way. It feels similar to 2010, when many thought Perry was a lame duck, but he ran again. Full Story