state government

Rick vs. Kay: Battle of the Titans

by Ben Philpott, KUT News Nov. 2, 2009

Today is Election Day for 11 propositions on the constitutional ballot in Texas, but most of the state’s political attention is focused on next November’s gubernatorial election—and the brightest light is squarely on the Republican primary battle between incumbent Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Ben Philpott, who's covering the governor’s race for Austin public radio station KUT-FM and the Tribune, reports on the battle of the titans taking place in the GOP and what its aftermath could mean for the party in power ... and the Democrats' chances next fall. Full Story

Exit notices for some, but not all

by Elise Hu and Matt Stiles Oct. 26, 2009

On the day Gov. Rick Perry removed three forensic science commissioners, citing their expired terms, at least 100 appointees whose time was also up remained in their jobs. Full Story

Governor Rick Perry at the podium in his press conference room

Texas educators vent at feds over teacher test mess

by Brian Thevenot Oct. 23, 2009

Annoyed at a recent federal ruling that could nullify the credentials of thousands of public school teachers, Texas education advocates want Washington to waive a technicality they say would cause teachers and districts needless headaches. Full Story

Education Commissioner Asks Feds to Reconsider Stripping Texas Teacher Credentials

by Brian Thevenot Oct. 23, 2009

"The real issue here is, you don't do something like this after school starts," Scott said in an interview this afternoon. "And you don't just decide it in a letter or an email... They leave themselves open to criticism and litigation when they do something outside the rule-making process." Full Story

Jacob Villanueva

Teacher Credentials May Be Nullified By Feds

by Brian Thevenot Oct. 21, 2009

Thousands of "highly qualified" Texas public school teachers don't actually meet the federal definition for that standard — which could jeopardize their jobs and will certainly cause bureaucratic headaches for them and their school systems. Full Story

Shapleigh's out and then what?

by Brandi Grissom Oct. 16, 2009

El Paso state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh's surprise announcement that he won't seek another term in the Texas Senate in 2010 set off speculation about his plans for higher office — and a vigorous fight to replace him. Full Story

Keeping Count

by Brandi Grissom Oct. 14, 2009

Texas should create a committee to promote participation in the 2010 U.S. Census, state Rep. Mike Villarreal told Gov. Rick Perry in a letter Tuesday. Full Story

Is there a doctor on the line?

by Emily Ramshaw Oct. 13, 2009

Emergency medical technicians and entry-level nurses could be cut out of the telemedicine equation under a proposal the Texas Medical Board is considering. The change would prohibit anyone but doctors, physicians' assistants and advanced practice nurses from presenting patients for care via long-distance videoconferencing – a move rural hospitals and prison doctors adamantly oppose. Full Story

Perry shakes hands after a speech in the Texas House. — Credit: Ross Ramsey

Katherine Glass Interview Part 2

by Julián Aguilar Oct. 1, 2009

An interview with Katherine Youngblood Glass, the Libertarian Party of Texas' candidate for governor. Full Story

Reluctantly out in front

by Abby Rapoport Oct. 1, 2009

Most elected officials greet a chairmanship with some excitement. Gail Lowe, the Lampasas Republican who recently became the chair of the State Board of Education, is approaching her new title with some apprehension. Full Story

Too busy for a review

by Elise Hu Sept. 30, 2009

Just days before it was set to review a case in which the state has been accused of executing an innocent man, Gov. Rick Perry replaced the chairman and two other members of an independent state forensics panel. Full Story

State technology chief resigns

by Emily Ramshaw Sept. 30, 2009

The executive director of the state's data and information technology agency stepped down last month. Brian Rawson, who spent the last three years overseeing the state's data consolidation and telecommunications efforts for the Department of Information Resources, will run "statewide data initiatives" for the Texas Education Agency. Full Story

State government

Rick vs. Kay: Battle of the Titans

Exit notices for some, but not all

Texas educators vent at feds over teacher test mess

Education Commissioner Asks Feds to Reconsider Stripping Texas Teacher Credentials

Teacher Credentials May Be Nullified By Feds

Shapleigh's out and then what?

Keeping Count

Is there a doctor on the line?

Katherine Glass Interview Part 2

Reluctantly out in front

Too busy for a review

State technology chief resigns

Goin' to the chapel

Present but not accounted for

The revolution will not be televised

Katherine Glass Interview Part 5

Katherine Glass Interview Part 8

Katherine Glass Interview Part 7

Katherine Glass Interview Part 6

Katherine Glass Interview Part 4