state government

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Evan Smith Sept. 17, 2011

Aaronson on the rise in the state's unemployment rate, Aguilar on the push to mandate use of an electronic employment verification program, Galbraith on fears about the drought's impact on lake levels, Grissom on the latest in the Duane Buck case, Hamilton on the possible end of physics (academically speaking), Murphy updates our public employee pay app, Ramsey on David "Mitt" Dewhurst, Ramshaw on Rick Perry's campaign swing through Virginia and Iowa, Root on the deletion of gubernatorial emails and M. Smith on the teaching of safe sex where you'd least expect it: The best of our best content from Sept. 12-16, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Mike Leach: The TT Interview

By Susannah Jacob Sept. 16, 2011

The former Texas Tech football coach on his pending lawsuit against the university, how the state's doing at educating student athletes and what happens if the Big 12 falls apart. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
SBOE Approves Charter School for Deion "Prime Time" Sanders

By Morgan Smith Sept. 16, 2011

Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders' charter school application was among eight approved by the Texas State Board of Education today. Full Story

Credit: Michael J. Cargill
Texas Reports Increased Jobless Rate

By Becca Aaronson Sept. 16, 2011

The shining Texas jobs miracle that Gov. Rick Perry is touting on the presidential campaign trail may be dimming, according to statistics released today by the Texas Workforce Commission. Texas lost 1,300 jobs in August, marking the first month of employment decline in Texas in almost a year. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / www.sxc.hu
More Texas Schools Teach Safe Sex With Abstinence

By Morgan Smith Sept. 16, 2011

Abstinence still rules on a state policy level, but from Midland to Spring Branch, a quiet message is spreading through Texas schools: It's time to start teaching students about contraception. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Michael Stravato / Geoffrey McAllister
Maps Ensure Melees in March, Peace in November

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 16, 2011

General elections in Texas will be less competitive than ever under the redistricting maps approved by the Legislature earlier this year. The takeaway is simple: Texas has a strongly Republican map and the political threats to incumbents, if any, will come in primaries and not in general elections. Full Story

Credit: Erik Hersman
The Texas Weekly Index

By Ross Ramsey and Ryan Murphy Sept. 15, 2011

Lots of things affect election outcomes. Candidates. Money. Issues. Surprises. But some of the results are wired into district maps, through redistricting. Here's our charting of the political atmosphere — Republican or Democratic — in each of the House, Senate and congressional districts drawn by the Legislature this year. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Supreme Court Grants Last-Minute Stay of Duane Buck Execution

By Brandi Grissom Sept. 15, 2011

At about 7:40 p.m., the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the execution of Duane Edward Buck. His trial was one of several cases in which a psychologist told jurors that his race made him more dangerous. Full Story

Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Jerry Patterson: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 15, 2011

The Texas land commissioner on running for lieutenant governor (in an election that's three years off), water and education and other issues facing the state and his potential foes — especially Comptroller Susan Combs. Full Story
State Fire Marshal's Critics Fear Arson Review Will Be Compromised

By Brandi Grissom Sept. 15, 2011

Advocates for a review of previous arson cases fear it may be inadequate if it is led by the state fire marshal, who continues to stand by the Cameron Todd Willingham investigation — even though it relied on methods now considered scientifically unsound. Full Story

Credit: Elvis Santana
With Execution Set for Tonight, Perry Faces Further Scrutiny

By Matt Largey, KUT News Sept. 15, 2011

Tonight, Texas is scheduled to execute its 11th death row inmate this year. As Matt Largey of KUT News reports, controversy surrounding the inmate's case could put the spotlight back on Gov. Rick Perry's death penalty record, which has received national attention in recent weeks. Full Story

Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 97

By Reeve Hamilton Sept. 14, 2011

This week on the TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Brandi and Jay talk about the recent GOP debates, the death penalty and the return of the HPV vaccine controversy. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Automated Request Halts Email Destruction in Governor's Office

By Jay Root Sept. 14, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry’s state office has temporarily stopped deleting emails every seven days, thanks to the efforts of Wisconsin-based political activist John Washburn. His request for the emails has shed new light on a controversial records destruction policy. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
What Perry's State of the State Speeches Say About Him

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 14, 2011

One 2012 presidential candidate wanted to sell a government-run lottery to finance a health insurance program. He wanted to deregulate college tuition, and then freeze it. He proposed leaving the state's Rainy Day Fund alone — or, sending the money back to taxpayers. Hint: He's from Texas. Another hint: He's not Ron Paul. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Mexico Mandates HPV Vaccine; Other U.S. States Consider It

By Danny Guerra Sept. 13, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry may be taking heat for his failed plan to require young girls in Texas to get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted disease human pappilomavirus, but the Mexican government has decided it's a good idea, and many other states have considered similar plans. Full Story

Credit: Jay Root
Pardons Board Denies Clemency in Buck Case

By Brandi Grissom Sept. 13, 2011

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles today voted against recommending clemency for Duane Edward Buck, rejecting the pleas of his lawyers, a victim he shot and a prosecutor who was on the team that sentenced him to death. Full Story

Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Falwell: Perry a "Strong Candidate on Social Issues"

By Emily Ramshaw Sept. 13, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry will speak at Liberty University on Wednesday, and the Christian school's president and chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., son of the school's famous founder, predicts Perry will find a very receptive audience among its students. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich
Jose Aliseda: The TT Interview (audio)

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 13, 2011

Full Story
Jose Aliseda: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey Sept. 13, 2011

The freshman Republican state representative on what he liked about the legislative session, what's wrong with the process, the press, politics and why he'd be coming back for more if a local job hadn't opened up. Full Story
Perry Gets Roughed Up in Second GOP Debate

By Emily Ramshaw and Jay Root Sept. 13, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry on Monday found himself under attack from an unfamiliar place — the right — in the latest GOP debate as his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination attacked him for being insufficiently conservative on key issues. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Emily Ramshaw / Bob Daemmrich / Todd Wiseman