Burkablog »
And now a discussion that really matters (Fri Nov 20 at 5:02 PM)
In the Pink »
The Wrecking Coup (Fri Nov 20 at 1:33 PM)
Page Break »
Supreme Court to Rehear Exxon Case. Yes, That Exxon Case. (Sat Nov 21 at 1:45 PM)
Eat My Words »
Talking Tamales (Thu Nov 12 at 11:12 AM)
Alan says: I am in favor of limiting the governor to two consecutive terms. But blacklisting someone after eight years altogether, regardless of how good or bad they did their job, can needlessly force an effective public official out of public service. Many state governors throughout history have served well over eight years without their constituents regretting it. I would point out that such a system is wholly unworkable in twenty-first century America: we live in the era of the permanent campaign and the 24-hour news cycle. A governor facing re-election every other year would essentially do nothing but fundraise (which is close to what most do anyway even with four-year terms). (November 19th, 2009 at 11:09pm)
Stories on Politics
The Great White Hope »
During his three terms in office, Houston’s Bill White has been one of the most popular big-city mayors in America. Now he’s just the latest in a long line of Texas Democrats trying to win a statewide election. What makes Mayor Bill think he can break a fifteen-year losing streak?
by S.C. Gwynne [December 2009]
The Terminator »
Rick Perry’s record nine years in the Governor’s Mansion have made the office more powerful than ever before. That’s why we need term limits.
by Paul Burka [December 2009]
Short Cuts »
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Texas governor’s race—in under three minutes.
by [November 2009]
Seeing Red »
One year after President Obama’s election, what does the world look like in the county that voted against him more overwhelmingly than any other?
by Paul Burka [November 2009]
Newspaper Days »
Once upon a time, Molly Ivins was just a kid from River Oaks with an internship at the Houston Chronicle. Her time there set her on the path to becoming the most famous firebrand in Texas.
by Bill Minutaglio and W. Michael Smith [November 2009]
Cap and Tirade »
Especially in Texas, the fight over carbon restrictions might make health care reform look like, well, a tea party.
by Paul Burka [November 2009]
There but for the Grace of God »
Michael Hall’s exclusive interview with Ernest Willis.
by [November 2009]
TRANSCRIPT: “Very Few People Get off of Texas Death Row Alive” »
Michael Hall’s exclusive interview with Ernest Willis.
by Michael Hall [November 2009]
The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much »
When the president visited Texas A&M, the opposition was waiting.
by Lauren Wolf [November 2009]
Texas High Ways »
A growing chorus of unlikely voices, from the El Paso City Council to the Arizona attorney general, has called for a serious look at legalizing marijuana. Why Texas should lead the way.
by William Martin [October 2009]
Don Yarborough’s Texas »
It was an era when segregation and civil rights were still issues and liberals had a base from which to run. That Texas is gone.
by Paul Burka [October 2009]
Memo to Kay »
Even someone who supports the death penalty, as you do, can and should be up in arms over the Cameron Willingham case.
by Michael Hall [October 2009]
E. J. Dionne, Columnist, The Washington Post (Thursday, October 8th 2009) »
For more than 15 years, E. J. Dionne has shared his opinions about politics, the media and the role of religion in public life with the Washington Post’s readers. He also serves as a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, writes popular books about politics and frequently shares commentary with NPR, This Week and Meet the Press. Join us to learn more about the latest news from Washington, and the latest opinions from Dionne.
[October 2009]
Dream of a Common Language. Sueño de un Idioma Común. »
The future of Texas depends on how well we are able to educate kids who can’t speak English. Has an elementary school in El Paso figured out the best way to do it?
by Nate Blakeslee [September 2009]
Lowe and Behold »
An open letter to the lucky new chair of the most dysfunctional agency in Texas, the State Board of Education.
by Paul Burka [September 2009]
The End of The Affair »
Everyone was shocked when San Angelo’s hugely popular mayor suddenly left town with his gay lover. Everyone, that is, except the citizens of San Angelo.
by John Spong [September 2009]
Revolutionary Kind »
Daniel Miller, the president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, is a proud secessionist. And the tea parties were just the beginning for this true believer.
by Nate Blakeslee [September 2009]
White Elephant »
The most formidable candidate in the race for Houston’s next mayor may be the outgoing chief himself.
by Mimi Swartz [August 2009]
Hullabaloo »
Rick Perry is the first Aggie governor in history. But as the current crisis shows, he’s been nothing but trouble for Texas A&M.
by Paul Burka [August 2009]
Mayor League »
The Houston mayor’s race gets interesting (finally).
by Mimi Swartz [August 2009]
Mismanaged Care »
A unique confluence of medicine, money, and politics is driving health care costs in the Rio Grande Valley. At the center of it all is a Democrat from Palmview, who is already under indictment for unreported income.
by Patricia Kilday Hart [August 2009]
Cold Cash »
Convicted congressman William Jefferson owes this former pollster money. Something tells me I'm not going to collect.
by Paul Stekler [August 2009]
An Open Letter »
If you’re not part of my health care solution, you’re part of my problem.
by [August 2009]
Julián Castro »
New mayor Julián Castro on San Antonio’s future.
Interview by Evan Smith [July 2009]
The Best and Worst Legislators 2009 »
It was a new era at the Capitol, with a new Speaker and a new mood of peace, love, and bipartisanship in the war-torn House. But the eighty-first legislative session turned out to be a lot like the eighty that came before it—some heroes, some villains, and enough hot air to last until 2011.
by Paul Burka and Patricia Kilday Hart [July 2009]
Risky Business »
State representative Allen Fletcher is the chairman of a House subcommittee on white-collar crime. So how did his very own company get tangled up in a white-collar-crime investigation?
by Nate Blakeslee [June 2009]
Stripped Down Bill? »
The uncertain future of funding sexual assault programs through strip club fees.
by Jena A. Williams [June 2009]
Politics Roundup (Monday, June 22nd 2009) »
Ross Ramsey of Texas Weekly joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[June 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, May 29th 2009) »
Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart discuss this week in politics, and Last Call at the Lege.
[June 2009]
Clothes Encounters »
Some legislators always step out in style.
by Kaitlin N. Petersen [June 2009]
A Session About Nothing »
In a special podcast, Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart discuss the best and worst legislators, the furniture, the rookie, and the schnookie.
[June 2009]
The Making of Barack Obama »
Evan Smith talks with Richard Wolffe, former senior White House correspondent for Newsweek and author of the new book, “Renegade: The Making of a President.”
[June 2009]
The Secret of My Secession »
Rick Perry, Mirabeau B. Lamar, and the two visions of Texas.
by Paul Burka [June 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, May 8th 2009) »
Peggy Fikac of the San Antonio Express-News joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[May 2009]
The Green Room: DOUGLAS BRINKLEY »
Behind the scenes with historian and author Douglas Brinkley.
by [May 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, May 15th 2009) »
Harvey Kronberg of the Quorum Report joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[May 2009]
Elephant Dung »
Political grandstanding, no leadership—is this a dismal legislative session or what?
by Paul Burka [May 2009]
Green Star State »
How Texas can become the world’s clean energy leader.
by Michael Webber [May 2009]
Eyewitness News »
The Legislature takes up photo and live lineup identification procedures in criminal cases.
by Jena A. Williams [May 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, April 24th 2009) »
Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[May 2009]
Risky Business »
How did state representative Allen Fletcher—the chairman of a subcommittee on white-collar crime—find his very own company tangled up in a white-collar crime investigation?
by Nate Blakeslee [May 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, May 1st 2009) »
The Statesman’s Jason Embry joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[May 2009]
Capitol Affairs »
Nadine Eckhardt married not one but two legendary figures in the Texas liberal pantheon. And lived to tell the tale.
by Karen Olsson [April 2009]
Regular Joe »
How a nobody became the somebody nearly everybody wanted to replace Speaker Tom Craddick.
by Paul Burka [April 2009]
Manic Suppression »
Why voter ID is bad for democracy.
by Paul Burka [April 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, March 20th 2009) »
March 20: Ross Ramsey of Texas Weekly joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[April 2009]
Kinky Uncut »
David Hartstein’s film about Kinky Friedman’s 2006 gubernatorial run shows the candidate’s earnest sincerity, a quality frequently obscured by his larger-than-life persona.
by Sarah Sumadi [April 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, March 27th 2009) »
Harvey Kronberg of Quorum Report joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics, including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s lateness, and the controversial stem cell rider.
[April 2009]
Charlie Wilson’s War Plan »
The legendary congressman talks about Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the future of the Middle East.
by John Spong [April 2009]
Politics Roundup (Friday, April 3rd 2009) »
Republican political consultant Ted Delisi joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics.
[April 2009]
