Paul Burka

Paul Burka joined the staff of TEXAS MONTHLY one year after the magazine's founding. A lifelong Texan, he was born in Galveston, graduated from Rice University with a B.A. in history, and received a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Burka is a member of the State Bar of Texas and spent five years as an attorney with the Texas Legislature, where he served as counsel to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Burka won a National Magazine award for reporting excellence in 1985 and the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award. He is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters and teaches at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a frequent guest discussing politics on national news programs on MSNBC, Fox, NBC, and CNN.

Features

Child’s Play

Summer vacation is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you should panic. We’ve rounded up 68 of our favorite things to do with your toddlers, teens, and every kid in between. Dance the hokey pokey. Rope a horse. Eat way too many hot dogs. Zip down a waterslide. And yes, feed the animals. April 2008

El Gobernador

The first Hispanic to lead Texas will be a Basque jai alai phenom, Dallas attorney, and Democratic state representative whose election, in 2018, will relegate the GOP to semi- permanent minority status. Wanna bet? February 2008

Big Red

John Cornyn won a U.S. Senate seat in 2002 by pledging allegiance to George W. Bush and riding a Republican wave to victory. But neither the president nor the wave is as strong six years later, and Cornyn’s bid for reelection may not be either. December 2007

The Best and Worst Legislators 2007

The eightieth session began with a Speaker’s race, ended with a Speaker’s race, and was consumed in between by the usual mix of nuanced issues and nasty politics. Along the way, a handful of lawmakers put the common good ahead of all else. And a handful of lawmakers didn’t. July 2007

North Toward Dome

The best way to visit the Capitol, the state’s grandest public building, is to take the 45-minute guided tour. But there is much more to see if you know what to look for, and I’m going to tell you precisely that. February 2007

Agent of Change

In four years as president of Texas A&M University, former CIA director Robert M. Gates—who knows a thing or two about leading a strong, hidebound, misunderstood culture—has left few areas of campus life untouched. But putting sushi in the dining halls is nothing compared with overhauling the Aggie brand. November 2006

Thank God It’s Friday

And Saturday. And Sunday. The arrival of fall means weekends spent watching football, up close and on-screen, and yet another opportunity to love the greatest game on earth for all the usual reasons. Forty-nine of them, in fact. September 2006

Capture The Flag

As weird as the 2006 governor’s race undeniably is, the goals of all four major candidates are remarkably mundane: Rick Perry wants nothing less than to be the longest-serving chief executive in the state’s history; Carole Keeton Strayhorn means to move her “One Tough Grandma” act into the big house across from the Capitol; Chris Bell craves respect, for himself and his depleted party; and Kinky Friedman intends to lead his band of unlikely voters in a rousing chorus of “Adiós, mofo!” July 2006

Without DeLay

He blames the Democrats, the press, Ronnie Earle, the bloggers—the list goes on. But in the end, what did in the most powerful Texan in Washington was his own excess. May 2006

The Elephants in the Room

Remember what Ronald Reagan said about Republicans not speaking ill of other Republicans? How quaint. January 2006

I of the Storm

The Gulf carried mendacity in every molecule. Its beauty, its tranquillity, was all a lie. It had created Galveston, carved out its deepwater port, tempted us with the promise of greatness, and then betrayed us. December 2005

Ten Ways To Fix Texas

They’re obvious to everyone except, apparently, the people we elected to fix Texas. They include some easy solutions and at least one that will probably get me a lot of hate mail (but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong). August 2005

The Best and Worst Legislators of 2005

A few lawmakers in both parties distinguished themselves during one of the worst sessions anyone can remember. As for the rest? Well, in the words of Jon Stewart, that famous observer of Texas politics: not so much. July 2005

Carole Keeton Strayhorn Has Guts. Carole Keeton Strayhorn Is Nuts. Discuss.

An attempt, however futile, to figure out what the comptroller is up to. June 2005

Who Might Make It Next Time

February 2005

Who’s Not On The List

February 2005

3.—25.

Twenty-three other people with more clout than they know what to do with. (Well, they know exactly what to do with it.) February 2005

Power

What it is and isn’t. Who has it and who doesn’t. Our 2005 list. February 2005

An F for Effort

Or maybe the grade should be “incomplete.” The special legislative session on school finance proved that Rick Perry and Republican lawmakers care a lot more about reducing property taxes than about improving public schools. Anybody surprised? June 2004

Corps Values

What place does tradition have at Texas A&M these days? One by one, the old ways are disappearing from the venerable campus, and many Aggies are up in arms. But embracing change may be the only way to save the school they love. May 2004

The Man Who Isn't There

In word and deed, the George W. Bush now residing in the White House bears little resemblance to the Texas governor I gladly sent to Washington. That's why I'm so ambivalent about reelecting him. February 2004

And Then There Were None

Call it Perrymandering. Call it Tomfoolery. But whatever you call redistricting, call it successful (for now). And call the white Democrats dead. December 2003

Greatness Visible

The dream of a first-rate university rising out of the prairie north of the Colorado River is almost as old as Texas itself. Which prompts the question, When will UT finally live up to its potential? October 2003

Las Vegas, Nevada

August 2003

Top Fifty

May 2003

The Best of the Best

May 2003

Pit Stops

Where are the best places to eat barbecue in Texas? Six years ago we published a highly subjective—and hotly debated— list of our fifty favorite joints, and now we’ve gone back for seconds. Ten intrepid souls drove more than 21,000 miles in search of 2003’s worthiest ‘cue. Here’s what they came back with: the top 5 and the next 45, plus honorable mentions, great chains, and meat by mail. May 2003

Who's Next?

San Antonio's Marshevet Hooker is not just any old high school sprinter; she's an Olympic gold medalist in the making. Meet her and nine other women we're betting will lead the new Texas—and the world. February 2003

Galveston to Quanah on Texas Highway 6

A secret garden, a drive-through feedstore, presidential papers, tasty pinto beans—and a Picasso. May 2002

Can Rick Perry Stand On His Own?

And just how long are his coattails? Texs politics is always interesting, but this year—with two formidable tickets, four big races, and a healthy debate over whether this is still a two-party state—promises to be one for the books. February 2002

The Best and the Worst Legislators

Rodney Ellis was excellent. Gary Elkins was—well, significantly less so. Bill Ratliff was a model of dignified leadership. Domingo Garcia was a one-man leper colony. Our biennial roundup of the Legislature's leading lights and dim bulbs. July 2001

The Education of Laura Bush

A first read on the Midland librarian in the White House: what she has learned so far and how her life has changed. April 2001

2002: A Race Odyssey

The next statewide elections are twenty months away, but a pack of would-be candidates—from a Laredo oilman to the mayor of Austin—are already running hard. March 2001

Politics • Karl Rove

Getting W. to D.C. September 2000

The Man Who Saved LBJ

Who deserves credit for Lyndon Johnson's newly burnished reputation? Harry Middleton, the director of the LBJ presidential library, who made hours and hours of White House audiotapes public—and in doing so, remade history. Plus: Listen for yourself as Johnson describes Vietnam as "just the biggest mess that I ever saw". August 2000

How W. Can Win

The first test was whether primary voters thought he had what it takes to be president. It was touch and go for a while, but he passed. Now George Bush has to get the rest of the country on his side. An inside look at his plan for doing precisely that. July 2000

The Case Against John Cornyn

If it pleases the court, the question before you is whether the attorney general of Texas has served his constituents or, as his critics charge, only his own political interests. What is your verdict? June 2000

Great Escapes

From a boutique hotel in hip South Austin to a bed-and-breakfast across the Mexican border, from fly fishing on the Llano River to bathing in the Chinati Hot Springs, 33 getaways the guidebooks don’t tell you about, courtesy of our intrepid staff of weekend warriors. June 2000

The Aggie Bonfire Tragedy

What's so important about a stack of wood? Every Aggie knows that the answer is tradition—which is why, after a catastrophe that took the lives of twelve young men and women, the decision of whether to continue, change, or call a halt to the bonfire looms so large at Texas A&M. April 2000

The Race Is On

The changing of the calendars marks the start of the presidential campaign (this time we really mean it), and George W. Bush is still the favorite to win. January 2000

Water Under the Bridge

Henry Cisneros’ power derived from his ability to bring people together. It was supposed to get him elected governor, senator, president. He’s finally the president, all right —of a Spanish-language TV network. And all thoughts of a career in public life are in the past. November 1999

Politics • Karen Hughes

Communicator in chief. September 1999

Law • James Byrd, Jr.

Crime and punishment. September 1999

The Best and the Worst Legislators 1999

Naughty Nixon and wonderful Wolens, soapy Shapiro and revered Ratliff, and of course, a certain governor who’s ready for his close-up: Our say-so on the session’s standouts—good, bad, and in-between. July 1999

The W. Nobody Knows

He’s irreverent and unself-conscious, and that’s not all. June 1999

Savoring the Private Ryan

Out of uniform, in his own words, Texas icon Nolan Ryan on baseball, ranching, values, and his love for his native state. April 1999

Squares

A masterpiece of courthouse architecture in Waxahachie, a handsome jail of native stone in Marfa: Significant structures line the streets of five terrific town centers. March 1999

The Six-Billion-Dollar Men

How to spend a huge budget surplus will be the defining issue of the coming legislative session. It will also determine the political futures of George W. Bush, Rick Perry, and Pete Laney. January 1999

The Disloyal Opposition

How five right-wing members of the State Board of Education are making life miserable for their fellow Republicans—especially George W. Bush. December 1998

Two for Texas

Candidates Rick Perry and John Sharp donÕt agree on much, but they both say the race for lieutenant governor is the most important one on the ballot this fall. They’re right. October 1998

SPORTS • Dennis Rodman

As the Worm turns. September 1998

POLITICS • Paul Begala

The great defender. September 1998

President Bush?

He’s the front-runner even before he has officially entered the race, but sky-high expectations are the least of the obstacles George W. Bush faces in his quest for the White House. July 1998

The Hero Had Two Faces

For fifteen years Galveston knew Tim Kingsbury as a civic leader and do-gooder. Then the wife—and life—he deserted back in Ohio caught up with him in Texas. May 1998

We Are the World

Want to see Kuwait, Iowa, and Washington, D.C.? Go to El Paso, Austin, and Houston. May 1998

You Lose Again!

A billion-dollar drop in revenue? You bet. How politics ruined the Texas lottery. March 1998

What’s Black and White And Red-faced All Over?

The University of Texas at Austin, whose paralysis in response to the Hopwood decision ignited racial tensions. And that was before Lino Graglia said a word. December 1997

Las Vegas

No good food? Don’t bet on it. November 1997

The Revision Thing

The opening of the George Bush presidential library at Texas A&M is a good occasion to ask two questions on the mind of everyone but Bush himself: How good a president was he? And what sort of ex-president has he been? November 1997

The Real West Texas

High peaks, scant rain, and hardpan soil—but also high art, hip hotels, and a new telescope that’s a star in its own right: Snapshots from a remote region of our state unlike anyplace else on earth. October 1997

Public Service • Bill Hobby

Governed by generosity. September 1997

Politics • Bill Archer

Taxes are his target. September 1997

The Best Worst Legislators 1997

From Bush’s good try on property taxes to Bullock’s grand finale, from savvy Sadler to weaselly Wohlgemuth, from Duncan’s beginning to Howard’s end: Our sorting of the session’s standouts—best, worst, and in between. July 1997

Did You Hear the One About The New Aggies?

They overcame politics, poverty, isolation, and Old Aggies to make Texas A&M the state’s academic powerhouse. April 1997

The Honeymoon Is Over

In the last legislative session, George W. Bush’s moderate program won over Bob Bullock, Pete Laney, and other top Democrats. But this time, Bush’s agenda is more partisan, and Republicans are measuring his presidential potential—so Texas politics is going to get ugly. January 1997

Carl C. Waitz Elementary

At a school whose children come from some of the poorest communities on the border, the way to excellence begins with sheer will and a culture of success. November 1996

Home on the Range

Home on the Range All over Texas, small ranchers are giving up and moving to the city. But the Stoner family of Uvalde is as determined as ever to hold on to its land—and its way of life. October 1996

Law • Cheryl Hopwood

Sins of admission. September 1996

National Politics •T om DeLay

Cracking the whip. September 1996

Perot and Con

From the war on drugs to education and his new Reform Party, Ross Perot has ideas about everything. Too bad they’re usually wrong. August 1996

Life After Oil

Midland’s energy companies are still laying people off a decade after the bottom of the bust. But—surprise—the city’s economy is booming again. April 1996

Major Barbara

Barbara Jordan saw herself not as a black politician but as a politician who happened to be black—and that was one of the things that made her great. March 1996

State of Mind

On February 19, 1846, the flag was lowered on the Republic of Texas for the last time. Here’s a look back at what was our national interest, and all that it might have been. February 1996

The Best and the Worst Legislators 1995

From the respected to the rascally, our regular roundup of the session’s most renowned pols. July 1995

Seasons to Remember

The end of the Southwest Conference was predictable, but for eighty years it gave Texas fans a brand of football that was anything but. May 1994

The Best and Worst Legislators 1993

Our biennial boosting and bashing of the state’s most beguiling politicians. July 1993

Honesty is the Best Politics

When you hold public office, the differnece between truth and fiction is more than a matter of degrees. Ask Lena Guerrero. November 1992

“Read My Lips: No New Texas”

George Bush has given Texas the Republican convention—and little else. August 1992

Perot in ‘92?

It’s his race to win—or lose. June 1992

“This Is the Alamo!”

If Congressman Charlie Wilson has his way, the humble wood chip will be the focus of a trade war between East Texas and Japan. April 1992

The Best and the Worst Legislators 1991

We bring you the heroes and the villains of the Capitol circus. Guess which list had more contenders? October 1991

Into The Storm

In normal times, Fort Hood teems with troops training in tanks and helicopters. But in their absence, the huge base is left with a scattering of soldiers and a uneasy sense of peace. March 1991

The Best and the Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1989

A Stately House: A Photographic Portrait

Even on her one-hundredth birthday, the Texas Capitol looks good in places other building don’t even have places. May 1988

Power

From H. Ross Perot to the people who will run Texas in the nineties, from couples with clout to the Brownwood Mafia, we present the most complete guide to power in Texas ever compiled. December 1987

The Best and the Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1987

Beating the Good Ol’ Boys

August 1986

The Soul of a Huge Machine

August 1986

The National Car of Texas

It’s big, it’s fast, it’s powerful, it eats gas, it’s the Suburban. August 1986

The Ten Best and (Groan) The Ten Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1985

The Man in the Black Hat

Clinton Manges built his empire on brushland and oil wells, political contributions and lawsuits. His influence extends to the state capitol and oil company boardrooms. To get where he is, he studied under three masters of South Texas. June 1984

The Ten Best and The Ten Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1983

Texas Primer: The Farm-to-Market Road

The last best way to see the real Texas. April 1983

The King of the Forest

He’s Arthur Temple, Jr., ruler of a million acres of East Texas and the last of the timber barons. August 1982

The Ten Best and The Ten Worst Legislators

Nineteen people you voted for and one you didn't. July 1981

The Truth about John Connally

There are two questions about John Connally: Is he good enough to be president? Is he too bad to be president? November 1979

The Ten Best and The Ten Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1979

The Ten Best and Ten Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them. July 1977

Power Politics

How Coastal State Gas pulled the plug on the Texas consumer. May 1975

Columns | Miscellany

Almost Blue

What the massive Democratic turnout says about the political landscape in Texas. May 2008

Fed Up

An FBI investigation is only the latest of El Paso’s problems. April 2008

The Democraddick Primary

It’s the only election that matters. March 2008

The Capitol Press Corpse

Is it really time to pronounce the body? January 2008

No Niño Left Behind

What part of “demography is destiny” does Texas not get? December 2007

43 Skiddoo

Exit George W. Bush. Enter . . . change. November 2007

Requiem for a Heavyweight

Karl Rove’s mixed legacy. October 2007

Speaker for Life!

Don’t bet against Tom Craddick. September 2007

School for Scandal

Texas Southern University’s missed opportunity. August 2007

Everything Is Illuminated

The Best and Worst list explained. July 2007

Road Warrior

How Ric Williamson became public enemy number one. June 2007

A Bronx Tale

Ruth. Gehrig. Mantle. Jeter. Ohlendorf? All of Austin, and Texas, is waiting to see if one of the newest New York Yankees earns his ’stripes. May 2007

More Power To Him?

Our weak governor asserts his strength. April 2007

The Secret History

The real reason to worry about the Bush library. March 2007

Animal House

The wild and woolly Speaker’s race. February 2007

Minority Report

What the Hispanic vote tells us. January 2007

His Way or the Highway

Rick Perry’s Trans-Texas conundrum. December 2006

His Thoughts Exactly

Rick Perry’s inner monologue. November 2006

Grand Old Parry

My solicited two cents about the Republicans’ agenda. September 2006

He Walks The Line

Silvestre Reyes has a plan for the border. August 2006

Trees v. Forest

The trouble with law school— and how to fix it. July 2006

Blown Away

Rita, the forgotten hurricane. June 2006

The Tax Man. Yeah, the Tax Man.

Can John Sharp save the Republicans? May 2006

Maybe Not

My ambivalence about George W. Bush continues. And grows more pronounced. April 2006

Duty Calls

How Rick and Melissa Noriega served their country—and their constituents. March 2006

First, Dew No Harm

A challenge for the lieutenant governor. February 2006

The M Word

The conservative case for gay marriage. January 2006

Hammer Time

Tom DeLay versus Ronnie Earle. November 2005

Is Wright Wrong?

The case for flying anywhere I want. October 2005

Three Blind Elephants

The GOP leadership blows it. Again. September 2005

Adiós, Mofos

Rick Perry wins a few rounds. August 2005

Uncivil Union

Dewhurst versus Craddick: This time, it’s personal. June 2005

Kay Sera, Sera

The future is hers to see. May 2005

Disaster!

The House botches school finance. April 2005

That Blog Won’t Hunt

Why old media hacks like me matter. March 2005

The Games Begin

What 2005 has to do with 2006. January 2005

Why Bush Won

Or, if you prefer, why he didn’t lose. December 2004

Rescuing Rick

Advice for the governor’s chief of staff. November 2004

Incomplete

The politics of the high-school dropout rate. October 2004

Up and Away

My favorite not-so-small town. September 2004

War Stories

The Vietnam non-issue. August 2004

Gas Pains

We need an energy policy. Now. July 2004

To My Ears

Texas music matters—even to me. April 2004

Troubled Waters

Water, water, everywhere. March 2004

A Giant Void

Master of the Senate. January 2004

Ruthless People

Yes, I don't get it. December 2003

Judging Priscilla

Priscilla Owen judged. November 2003

Sizzle and Stakes

Dallas mayor Laura Miller is hungry to take on the big problems facing the city. September 2003

Rice and Shine

Rice guys finish first. August 2003

Altered State

Why Texas politics will never be the same. July 2003

Can't Hardly Wait

The Legislative Follies 2003. June 2003

So Far, So Bad

Capitol hell. May 2003

Hoodwinked

My solution for the school-finance mess. April 2003

Mr. Speaker

Speaking of the Speaker. March 2003

My Texas Women

I was raised by one, I married one, and I raised one myself—and I wouldn't be who I am without them. February 2003

By George

Can the Republicans govern? January 2003

Swept Away

Election nostalgia already! December 2002

Left Out

Billie Carr, R.I.P. Liberals too. November 2002

Our Number Is Up

The year of demographic inevitability. October 2002

Keep the Change

Houston, we don't have a problem. September 2002

Sinking Flagship

Free advice for the UT System's new chancellor. August 2002

It's Crazy

It's the insanity defense that's insane. July 2002

Hughes and Loose

Communicating with Karen Hughes. June 2002

Gig 'em, Ray

Farewell to an Aggie prez. May 2002

Life of the Party

Night of the living Democrat. April 2002

Spare The Message

The real Enron scandal. March 2002

Onward, Christian

George Christian, one of a kind. February 2002

War and Peace

Over there, and over here. December 2001

A Report Card

Why principals matter. November 2001

9/11/01

The need for leadership. October 2001

Senator A. R. “Babe” Schwartz

September 2001

Ben Barnes

The former golden boy of Texas politics is still running hard. September 2001

POTUS Operandi

Governor George W. Bush, M.I.A. September 2001

No! No! No!

Vetoing the Perry vetoes. August 2001

Twin Piques

Fake IDs and real issues. July 2001

You've Got Mail

Free advice for Tony Sanchez. June 2001

Apply and Demand

Playing God at UT. May 2001

Techs and the City

A tale of two Houstons. March 2001

Spare the A-Rod

Is A-Rod good for baseball? February 2001

Now What?

And the campaign goes on—into the legislative session. January 2001

Clearing the Air

Clearing the air about pollution politics. December 2000

Empathy Note

George W.'s endgame. November 2000

Little Big Man

Ross Perot's lost legacy. October 2000

Storm Without End

How Galveston weathered a once-in-a-century storm. September 2000

11/26/99

Texas A&M, November 26, 1999. January 2000

Having a Ball

It’s no easy task to run the two-time champs of the Ro-Tex-Erie Fantasy Baseball League. But I’m managing. December 1999

Obstacle Course

Drugs. Cussing. Funeral home regulation. George W. Bush is on the ropes—or is he? October 1999

The Dominator

Remembering the real Bob Bullock. August 1999

Jewel of the Forest

Jasper in black and white. August 1998

Filling the Shoes

August 1997

Food for Thought

Once, before fast-food franchises and ecotourists took over Alpine, the Gallego family’s Mexican restaurant survived and thrived. Today, the kitchen is closed. July 1997

For an Income Tax

Why Texas needs an income tax. May 1997

Not Guilty

Two former high-level administrators at Texas A&M may have acted unethically—but that doesn’t make them criminals. April 1997

The Tort Tax

No high diving boards at public pools. No cameras in operating rooms. All this and more, thanks to lawyers. June 1996

Battle Lines

The weird shape of a new Houston congressional district guarantees a power struggle between Hispanic and Anglo politicians. March 1992

Getting My Kicks

How I learned that the toughest job in sports is umpiring girls’ kickball. August 1991

Behind the Lines

Something special. January 1986

Behind the Lines

April 1974

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

Baseball, an old and idiosyncratic game, loses and old and idiosyncratic field. April 1974

Behind the Lines

January 1974

Y2Kay

Is Kay Bailey Hutchison plotting a run for Governor? And other questions about Texas politics in the new millennium. February 2000

Ballpark Figures

September 1998

Poll Taxed

August 1998

Family Values

June 1998

City Limits

May 1998

Tom Foolery

August 1996

Beef Choice

June 1996

Fight Bakke

Will UT get affirmative action on affirmative action? Plus: A runoff rundown. May 1996

Right On

Primary color: Dole on a roll, a report card for the Religious Right, and other fallout from Election Day. April 1996

Current Affair

Why electricity is a supercharged political issue. Plus: Who cares about the Democrats running for U.S. Senate? March 1996

Poll Positions

The right’s phony gay-bashing campaign. Plus: Poor Phil Gramm. February 1996

Water Grab

Why farmers and big-city folk are at war over water. Plus: Jane Nelson for comptroller? January 1996

Merry-go-round

November 1992

Hurricane Warning

Hurricane Andrew’s winds had a message for the Texas coast. October 1992

Copper Plea

September 1992

Party Poopers

Republicans stew over Democrats at the GOP convention. August 1992

Aggie Land

Can the Aggies turn land in Guam into a record donation? July 1992

Westward H₂O

June 1992

Split Personalities

April 1992

Floating Crap Game

March 1992

Male Delivery

February 1992

Uncandid Camera

December 1991

Dirty Deal

November 1991

Reporter

Joe Wayland

Oilfield worker. April 2008

Loyalty Oaf

Going, going, Gonzales. October 2007

The Natural

Why all the fuss about Craig Biggio? October 2007

Left Behind

The Texas Education Agency flunks out. August 2007

State of Flux

What 2008 means for Texas. August 2007

The Great Undoing

Impressions of the session. May 2007

Squeaker of the House

The Democrats and the Speaker. December 2006

Wait Till Next Year

One, two, three strikes they’re out. November 2006

Mapmakers, Mapmakers

Re-re-re-redistricting. August 2006

Operation Rescue

Can this presidency be saved? July 2006

None of the Above

Vince, Reggie, or none of the above? April 2006

Map Quest

The battle lines over redistricting. July 2003

Divide and Conquer

November 1999

Shore Thing

September 1999

A Census of Power

June 1999

Not So Rosy

May 1999

Grading George W.

Is George W. Bush’s nascent presidential campaign making the grade? March 1999

No New Tax Cuts

February 1999

Surprised Parties

December 1998

More Precious Than Oil

November 1998

The Bucks Stop Here

Who gave—and to whom—in this year’s big statewide races. September 1998

Primary Cullers

April 1998

Learning His Lesson

March 1998

Primary Color

Handicapping the Republican primary: Will far-right might carry the day? March 1998

President and Accounted For

January 1998

Brown in Front

December 1997

Taking a Chance

November 1997

The (Non)candidate

October 1997

Air Fair?

The plane truth about airline surcharges. October 1997

Power Surge

September 1997

Lights! Camera! No Action!

June 1997

Power Outage

May 1997

Out of Control

March 1997

In Play

A pregame analysis of the sports-stadium showdown. March 1997

Fratricidal Black Politics

February 1997

Burning Bush

December 1996

Non-Issues

Greece, lightning, and other non-issues in last month’s election. December 1996

California Scheming

November 1996

The New Fat Cats

Meet the newest Texas fat cats - the well-heeled contributors financing political campaigns in and out of our state. November 1996

America’s Marketer

October 1996

No Contest

If Bill Clinton wants to get elected president, he’ll have to do it without Texas—just like in 1992. July 1996

Race Value

Rating our primary concerns. March 1996

Cutthroat Island

Once upon a time, Galveston was an isolated island with few big-city problems. Recent flaps over civic corruption, press bias, and race suggest those days are over. February 1996

Bad Medicine

By vetoing the Patient Protection Act, Gearge W. Bush put cost before care. August 1995

The Sheets of Laredo

Life after the oil bust is fair-to-Midland; bad News, hard Times in Laredo; I hear a timpani; a coach who believes winning is everything. November 1984

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