Politics & Policy
April 11, 2013
“Palatable and Acceptable”
On Thursday the Senate passed SB 21—the drug-testing-for-unemployment-benefits bill—with a couple of modifications from the Democrats, and without much excitement on either side.
334 Articles
Politics & Policy
April 11, 2013
Lifting the Cap on Charters, Compliments
On Thursday the Texas Senate passed SB2, which would expand the number of charter licenses in the state.
Politics & Policy
April 9, 2013
Google Plants a Flag
The announcement that Google Fiber is coming to Austin means more than just super-fast cat videos.
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2013
What We Talk About When We Talk About Spending Limits
Don't understand Texas's constitutional spending cap? You've come to the right place.
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2013
CPRIT’s Side Effects
Whatever happens to the struggling agency, the fallout from the scandal will linger.
Politics & Policy
March 26, 2013
Hey, Supreme Court: Go Ahead and Legislate from the Bench
Polls show that a majority of Texans support legal recognition for same-sex couples, but legalizing marriage equality in Texas would require an amendment to the state constitution.
Politics & Policy
March 25, 2013
Moving Forward on Medicaid
The Senate's unanimous passage of SB 7 gives a small hint of what a Texas approach to Medicaid might look like.
Politics & Policy
March 24, 2013
The Conservative Case for Raising Taxes
Has Texas entered a new era in which talking about new revenue doesn't equal certain political death?
Politics & Policy
March 21, 2013
A View of the Sunset
This week's debate on the PUC shows why the sunset process continues to shine light on good government.
Politics & Policy
March 20, 2013
A Sigh of Relief
The Democrats in the Texas Senate might not be crazy about this year's budget, but most of them are a lot happier than they were in 2011.
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2013
Course Correction
What's really behind Dan Patrick's bill on graduation requirements at the state's public universities?
Politics & Policy
March 15, 2013
Fifth Graders Stand Up For Sharks
Sawyer Chandler and Sam Matthews, young activists, are calling on legislators to strengthen Texas's safeguards against shark finning—with an assist from Coach Taylor.
Politics & Policy
March 12, 2013
A Gentleman and a Scholar
On Tuesday, the Texas Legislature took a few moments to swoon over RGIII.
Politics & Policy
March 11, 2013
From Brownsville to Mars!
Space entrepreneur (and noted crank) Elon Musk's latest project is ready to launch. Will the Open Beaches Act stand in his way?
Politics & Policy
March 11, 2013
Who’s Afraid of Texas?
Too many people, most of whom don’t know what they’re talking about. In defense of our (mostly) great state.
Politics & Policy
March 6, 2013
A Call to Arms
In his biennial address on the state of the judiciary, the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court remembers the Alamo.
Politics & Policy
March 5, 2013
A Band-Aid for Medicaid
The Texas Senate passes its version of the supplemental appropriations bill for some cash-strapped state agencies.
Politics & Policy
February 28, 2013
No More Namby-Pamby Business
After the 2011 budget cuts, the Lege has some room for reform on public education.
Politics & Policy
February 22, 2013
Could Hillary Clinton Turn Texas Blue?
"I don’t know anyone nationally who’s scoffing at this," says the chairman of the state GOP.
News & Politics
February 20, 2013
Texas Is Pro-Work, Right?
Why Texas should think about raising the minimum wage—and why doing so might not be such a good idea in other states.
News & Politics
February 13, 2013
Brooke Rollins: Time for Conservatives to Do the Right Thing
A Q&A on immigration reform with the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
News & Politics
February 13, 2013
Right on Immigration
Democrats and Republicans seem ready to make a push for comprehensive immigration reform, after years of stalemate on the issue. But Brooke Rollins, head of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, thinks their approach may have the wrong focus.
Politics & Policy
February 5, 2013
In Light of the Evidence
John Whitmire is making his third attempt to streamline the appeals process for inmates who may be exonerated by improved forensic techniques.
Politics & Policy
February 4, 2013
Sharpstown, Revisited
Looking back at the last pay-for-play scandal as the call for ethics reforms rises in the 83rd Legislative Session.
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2013
Ted Cruz, For Real
The newly elected senator makes a thoughtful case for opportunity conservatism, but can he sustain the message?
Houston
January 24, 2013
Found in Translation
Activist Glenda Joe on the immigrant experience in Houston.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Ted Cruz and the 47 Percent
Cruz argues that Republicans support limited government because they believe that’s what best creates opportunity, and therefore progress.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Texas Has An Unexpected 8.8 Billion Surplus
Of course, that could reflect poorly on the state’s budgeting process.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
What Polls Say About the Probability of Texas Turning Purple
Will an increasingly Hispanic Texas be an increasingly Democratic one?
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
SCOTUS to Review Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
Does Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act encroach on States' Rights?
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
The Romney Effect
The Republican nominee may have lost the election, but his margin of victory in Texas suggests how the state may be changing.
Politics & Policy
January 14, 2013
The Private Sector’s Influence on the Public Interests of Texas
There are relatively few safeguards against a legislator’s potential conflict of interest turning into an actual conflict of interest.
News & Politics
January 12, 2013
The Budget Battle: Week One
Republicans will spend more, but they don’t want to spend it on schools.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 2012
Brand Man
Meet Vinny Minchillo, one of the creative forces behind Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.