The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
After much hand-wringing by public officials and business leaders over the dropout crisis, a patchwork of last-resort schools and programs has emerged statewide. Gauging their performance is tricky, but there's no question that the students they serve might otherwise be on the street or in jail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/122109_principalgonzalez_jv.jpg)
Holly Turner, running for the Texas House in Austin’s HD-47, got welcomed into the race by a fellow Republican’s press release with this headline Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/holly_turner.jpg)
Is retired Travis County D.A. Ronnie Earle — who talked about running for governor and then filed for lieutenant governor — a strong statewide candidate? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/ronnie_earle_.jpg)
Stiles and Thevenot collaborate on the salaries paid to superintendents, and even compare them on price per student… Ramsey’s look at redistricting and next year’s elections… Aguilar’s report on jails, brought to you by the federal agency that’s in the ag business… Rapoport’s peek at the power behind Texas pre-kindergarten programs… Smith’s conversation with Dan Patrick, in three parts… Grissom’s narrative on a circular immigration and deportation route financed by two governments… Ramshaw finds doctors agreeing on public policy and split on strategy and tactics… Hu’s latest Stump Interrupted puts the camera on Farouk Shami… Hamilton’s story on two retired cops who are taking on cargo theft in Texas… And Kreighbaum and Stiles pop open the itineraries of your folks in Congress. The best of our best from December 12 to 18, 2009. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121809_tribweek.jpg)
The former Travis County District Attorney was expected to file for some statewide race, though precisely which one has been something of a mystery. Mystery solved. Full Story
Unemployment in Texas hit 8 percent in November — down from the 8.3 percent recorded the previous month and higher than the 5.4 percent registered in the same month of 2008, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TWC-Nov09.jpg)
When public schools fail, students are allowed to transfer to better campuses. But only a tiny fraction ever do. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121709_stuckinschool_jv.jpg)
Texas has the worst rates of cargo and heavy equipment theft in the country. Yet while criminals are raking in billions of dollars each year, the state has never had an organized system to address the problem. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121509_transporttrucks.jpg)
Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, has his hometown buzzing with rumors that he won't seek an eighth term in the Texas House. Isett didn't return calls and texts to confirm, and his office said simply that he'll have an announcement on Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/carl-isett.jpg)
The CPPP says Texas' high per capita child abuse and neglect death rate is due to the state's high child poverty and teen birth rates — but also how Texas tallies its numbers. Full Story
School superintendent salary data offers a unique window into the vast diversity of Texas districts, from massive to miniscule, and the way they pay their chief executives. One new trend: Performance pay. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121609_toptensuperintendent001_jv.jpg)
On the eve of a noisy election year, the former lieutenant governor of Texas takes us on a tour through voting and demographic statistics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/bill_hobby.jpg)
Mindful of the down economy, more public school districts are paying their superintendents bonuses rather than giving them raises. Full Story
The home health care cuts that Congress will likely make to fund federal health care reform will take an extra large swipe at Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121409_medicareloses_jv.jpg)
When political consultants take on wealthy candidates, does that mean they can milk them and their campaigns for all they’re worth? Are they simply trying to help good people get elected? Or both? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d2d3729548b39c5f798d2c6e2702a2b0/BD%20INC%20Sanchez%20Shami%2001%202009)
Can Texas lottery winners sell all of their payments to private finance companies? State attorneys say no. A state appeals court says yes. The Texas Supreme Court will decide. Full Story
The inflamed immigration rhetoric of the past couple of years has waned, but a report the National Conference of State Legislatures released today shows that state lawmakers still have passion for the issue. Full Story
If at first you don't succeed, you'd better hope the GAO gives you a second chance. Full Story
Texas voters won't be offered a real chance at change in the Legislature and Congress next year. Four out of five state and federal lawmakers face no real competition in their primary or general elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121509_missingcanidates.jpg)
Humorist and author Kinky Friedman is setting his sights on a new prize: the agriculture commissioner post. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77ce20d06f328859f8fbc32e50b5c7d3/BD%20INC%20Kinky%2001%202009)