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The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.

  • Fight Club

    By Ross Ramsey

    With 198 legislators on the ballot next year, there ought to be more fear in the air. But only a few are in obvious political trouble. Who's on the list, and what makes them vulnerable? Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva

  • GOP Guvs Plead the Tenth

    By Ben Philpott, KUT News

    The Republican Governors’ Association has come to Texas for its annual conference. They’re upbeat from its fresh wins in Virginia and New Jersey. And the group wants to build on those wins heading into the 2010 elections. Full Story 

  • Math Anxiety

    By Ross Ramsey

    Will there be enough money to cover the current state budget? "Fortunately, it's too early to tell," jokes House Speaker Joe Straus. He and other state leaders are well aware of the numbers, and although they think it's not yet time to act, they're focused on the big question. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva, Elise Hu

  • Into Thin Air

    By Matt Stiles

    Lobbyists spent a record $15 million on advertising during the 2005 session and another $12 million in 2007 — but less than $1 million this year. What happened? Full Story 

  • Shapleigh Ever After

    By Brandi Grissom

    The longtime El Paso state senator, who said last month that he would not run for reelection, hasn’t revealed his statewide ambitions, but his public and private remarks leave little doubt that he's seriously considering a gubernatorial bid. Full Story 

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    Credit: senate media services

  • 2010: Plano Dominoes

    By Ross Ramsey

    Plano City Councilwoman Mabrie Griffith Jackson is telling supporters she will resign that city job as early as Monday to put her name into the race to replace Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, who has decided he won't seek an 11th term next year. Full Story 

    State Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano
    Credit: House photo

  • KBH to TFRW: A change in plans

    By Kay Bailey Hutchison

    I must put what's best for my campaign aside and do what is best for Texas. That is why I must stay in the Senate while running for the Republican nomination for governor. I cannot walk away while this fight is being fought by our fellow Republicans. I must stay and fight with them. Full Story 

  • TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

    By Evan Smith

    KBH resigns herself to staying in the Senate, Grissom investigates the broken border, Ramshaw outs IT contractors who make gigabucks from state agencies, Hu gives Hutchison and Perry the Stump Interrupted treatment, the new head of the Foresenic Science Commission faces his critics, Stiles posts a searchable database of fines levied by the state ethics commission, and Hamilton discovers the consequences of party switching (none): The best of the best from November 9 to 13, 2009. Full Story 

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    Credit: Bob Daemmrich, Elise Hu

  • Fail-safe?

    By Abby Rapoport

    Districts prepare to go to court with the TEA over minimum grades policies, prompting the question: How much should schools emulate the real world? And how many second chances should students get? Full Story 

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  • Hire Power

    By Emily Ramshaw

    Typically, Texas Child Protective Services experiences sky-high employee and caseworker vacancy rates, but as unemployment has soared, staffing numbers have blossomed — stabilizing child abuse caseloads. Why the bad economy is good news for one state agency. Full Story 

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    Credit: Jacob Villanueva