The provider of most public goods is government. But even though the U.S. ranks somewhere between Burkina Faso and Uranus in our per capita federal spending on public media, Congress will not come rushing to the aid of capital-j journalism anytime soon. There are simply too many competing priorities, and the deficit hawk in me recoils at proposing another one. Besides, obvious fox-in-the-henhouse issues arise—to mix animal metaphors—from government watchdogs funded out of government coffers. So with both commercial and governmental fixes in serious question, maybe that leaves you and me.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
Posted in
Health care
Disabled students restrained, injured in public schools
Texas educators routinely pin down students with disabilities to control them, according to state data. Disability rights advocates say the restraints point to a crisis in special education, and that teachers are resorting to physical violence because they aren’t properly trained.
Posted in
Public Education
TribBlog: Permanent School Fund Rebounds. But Will Schools Benefit?
The state’s permanent school fund, which spins off money for textbooks and the like each year, has recaptured billions of dollars after a frightening downward spiral this spring. Trouble is, the increase in the fund may produce no increase at all in education spending. The real beneficiaries of the fund often are the state legislature and its priorities outside education.
Posted inState Government
Welcome to The Texas Tribune
What we intend to accomplish with the Trib — what we mean to do on an ongoing basis — is right there in our stated mission: to promote civic engagement and discourse on public policy, politics, government, and other matters of statewide concern.
Posted inState Government
Introducing The Texas Tribune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCnXdR0SmDQ Credit: Elise Hu Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.
Posted inState Government
A conversation with Dan Bartlett
Former White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett sits down with the Tribune’s Evan Smith to talk about Rick vs. Kay, what Texans should think about health care reform and troop levels in Afghanistan, and the GOP’s missed opportunity to reach out to Hispanics.
Posted inState Government
Hu Tube: 3-2-1…
In the spirit of multi-platform journalism, the posts here at Hu Tube will be highly visual. If I don’t have a new video for ya each day, I’ll throw up photos and do some live photoblogging during the election cycle and legislative sessions. Stay tuned.
Posted in
State Government
Rick vs. Kay: Battle of the Titans
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.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: November 2, 2009
Don’t look now, Senator, but the vultures are circling.
