Burka Blog
October 9, 2014
Next Up: The Global War on Jackalopes
Concerns over ISIS fighters crossing the border are more than misplaced
Burka Blog
Politics & Policy
October 8, 2014
Abbott’s Fundraising
The war chest matters in 2014, but it sets the tone in 2018.
Politics & Policy
October 6, 2014
An Update on the AG Race
Ken Paxton remains an alarmingly safe bet
Politics & Policy
October 2, 2014
The Home Stretch
I’m not surprised that the race for governor has tightened according to the recent Lyceum Poll. This is a contest between two candidates who have the support of large constituencies that stretch far beyond Texas. Abbott is among the state’s most prominent attorneys and is no stranger to
Politics & Policy
October 1, 2014
Davis for the Win
The final debate in the 2014 governor's race is over, and the winner was clear-cut.
Politics & Policy
September 29, 2014
Patrick v. Van de Putte
The candidates' true colors were on full display.
Politics & Policy
September 29, 2014
The Fallout From the Enterprise Fund
When one looks at the wheeling and dealing that went on with the Texas Enterprise Fund, my question is this: Why is it not an impeachable offense? These folks used the Enterprise Fund for their private playground. They awarded $222 million to entities that, according to the Dallas Morning News,
Politics & Policy
September 22, 2014
Weighing in on the Debate
Alas, I was out of the state for the Texas gubernatorial debate on Friday evening, but having watched the replay, I can’t say that I missed much. As debates go, I found it relatively low-wattage. Both candidates were articulate and reasonably polite to their opponents, though I thought Davis
Politics & Policy
September 16, 2014
Three Fights over School Funding
Democrats Wendy Davis, Leticia Van de Putte, and Mike Collier take on their Republican opponents over the 2011 cuts to public schools.
Burka Blog
September 16, 2014
What State Government Does
Recent actions by state government have reinforced my belief that the state rarely does anything FOR the public; it only does things TO the public. The latest example is that Texas insurance commissioner Julia Rathgeber allowed the three largest home insurance companies to impose significant rate increases. Rathgeber could have
Politics & Policy
September 15, 2014
The Upside of Inertia
In his jobs plan, Greg Abbott opts for a minimalist aesthetic.
Politics & Policy
September 10, 2014
Wendy Davis, Public Relations, and the Political War
I was interested by Eric Bearse’s piece in the Quorum Report yesterday concerning Wendy Davis and abortion. Bearse wrote, among other things: “The reason Wendy Davis has never recovered politically from her abortion filibuster is she fought on turf where she couldn’t win. Outside of San Francisco and
Politics & Policy
September 10, 2014
Abbott and the Money Machine
He's still raising money for his race for governor. And it's not because he's worried about Wendy.
Politics & Policy
September 9, 2014
A Fleeting Moment of Substance
On Thursday, Wendy Davis offered a good policy idea, which was forgotten by Friday
Politics & Policy
September 2, 2014
Weekend Wobbles
Two court rulings and a debate over a debate add up to a couple of headaches for Abbott.
Politics & Policy
September 2, 2014
Another Round of School Finance
It is all but certain that Attorney General Greg Abbott will appeal Judge Dietz’s school finance ruling. It’s classic Abbott. He has to win, even if he realizes that he is going to lose.But the Legislature’s treatment of the schools during the 2011 session all but guarantees a loss for Abbott.
Politics & Policy
August 28, 2014
Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls
Why Republicans should listen to what female voters are saying.
Politics & Policy
August 27, 2014
The Left of Center Speaker?
The false criticism of Joe Straus.
Politics & Policy
August 27, 2014
Perry’s Defense
The governor has a first-class legal team, but some of its arguments concerning the indictment sound more like rhetoric than law.Such as “an unconstitutional attack on Perry’s rights”And …”defies common sense”And …”a violation of the Texas and U.S. constitutions”And … “an improper attempt to criminalize politics”And … “based on state
Politics & Policy
August 26, 2014
What Social Conservatives (and Liberals) Can Learn from Kyleen Wright
When it comes to policy making, reasons matter.
Politics & Policy
August 17, 2014
The Dumbest Thing You Can Do
Smearing the prosecutor is just about the dumbest thing a defendant in a criminal case can do. The second dumbest thing is to threaten the prosecutor.
Politics & Policy
August 17, 2014
Rick Perry’s Political Motives
The indictments against the governor may point to a legal lapse rather than an ethical one.
Politics & Policy
August 16, 2014
More Thoughts on the Perry Indictments
The indictment of Rick Perry turns Texas politics upside down.
Politics & Policy
August 15, 2014
BREAKING: Governor Perry Indicted on Two Counts
UPDATE: I’ve included a link to the indictments at the bottom of this post.Thought Texas politics couldn’t get any weirder? A short time ago special prosecutor Michael McCrum announced that a grand jury had indicted Perry on two counts related to his veto of funds for the Public Integrity Unit:
Politics & Policy
August 15, 2014
Verging on Irrelevance
I don’t think Republicans recognize what is happening to their party in Texas. The GOP is verging on irrelevance. The failure of Texas to land the Republican national convention should have been a wake-up call for the state party. There was a reason why the Republicans chose Cleveland over Dallas:
Politics & Policy
August 12, 2014
Abbott on the Attack
The attorney general takes a swing at Wendy Davis.
Politics & Policy
August 11, 2014
A Creepy Texas Story
Wendy Davis's first TV ad of the gubernatorial campaign is a fairly dark one
Politics & Policy
August 6, 2014
What Governor’s Race?
With three months to go until the general election, there isn't much reason to talk about the governor's race. It's over.
Politics & Policy
August 5, 2014
Troops on the Border
To close this discussion, I simply want to say one thing: This was completely predictable. There was no reason to send the National Guard to the Border. There was no mission. There was no objective. It was just political theatre to make Rick Perry look like he was doing something,
Politics & Policy
August 4, 2014
The Modern World
Wouldn’t it be nice if Texas were to catch up to the modern world, for once? I’m addressing the issue of same-sex marriage here. What’s the use of fighting for a policy that without question violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws? In fairness to Greg
Politics & Policy
July 28, 2014
Texas Department of Insurance Hikes Long-term Care Rates 75%
Rick Perry likes to say that the reason the Texas economy performs so well is because of the quality of the state’s work force, the reasonableness of regulations pertaining to business, and the passage of tort reform in 2003. I’ll grant him his evaluation of the work force and the
Politics & Policy
July 28, 2014
The Trouble With the Enterprise Fund
Governor Perry’s decision to fund the opening of a new Charles Schwab office in El Paso (and another in Austin) is a classic example of what is wrong with the governor’s economic development funds. Charles Schwab is a national firm that needs no subsidy from the state to succeed. The
Politics & Policy
July 22, 2014
The Skunk at the Garden Party
Michael Quinn Sullivan, the Texas Ethics Commission, and the federal courts.
Politics & Policy
July 21, 2014
National Guard Troops on the Border
It is one thing to institute a DPS “surge” on the border; it is quite another to send the National Guard there, a thousand strong, as Perry intends to do. What is the purpose of sending the Guard to the border? The National Guard is a military force. Is its
Politics & Policy
July 21, 2014
The Confederate License Plate
Are we on the way to becoming Alabama?
Politics & Policy
July 16, 2014
The Perry Legacy: Richard Hyde Responds
In the July issue of the magazine, several writers—myself included—assessed the legacy of Governor Perry. One of the stories reviewed eight critical areas Texas Monthly believes the governor is responsible for, and we gave him a letter grade for each. Some readers thought we were too
Politics & Policy
July 15, 2014
Making Sense of a Migration Crisis
Step one: question your own assumptions
Politics & Policy
July 11, 2014
And the Next Chancellor of UT System Is…
One of two candidates, both of whom are outstanding choices. They are:Richard Fisher, the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of DallasorAdmiral William H. McRaven, a 36-year Navy Seal and the UT commencement speaker at June’s graduation ceremony.
Politics & Policy
July 11, 2014
More on the UT Regents
I have generally been impressed by UT regents’ chair Paul Foster’s ability to smooth the waters concerning the Bill Powers controversy. But Foster was out of line when, a day after the University of Texas System announced that Powers would step down in June 2015 — ending a standoff that
Politics & Policy
July 10, 2014
The Story of Wallace Hall
My colleague Skip Hollandsworth has written a timely story for the upcoming August issue that was posted online this morning. Titled “Is This the Most Dangerous Man in Texas?” it’s about UT Regent Wallace Hall, the impeachment process, and the resignation of William Powers, the president of UT-Austin.
Politics & Policy
July 9, 2014
Bill Powers’s Exit
What does his resignation really mean?
Politics & Policy
July 9, 2014
Robert Duncan’s Exit
Texas Tech's gain is the Legislature's loss.
Politics & Policy
July 8, 2014
Asleep at the Switch
Wendy Davis is asleep at the switch again. The Obama administration has opened a new front on the battle over Medicaid expansion. By 2016, says the White House, states that have adopted expansion will have saved $4.3 billion. In addition, expansion states would have experienced 3.3 million annual physicians’ visits,
Politics & Policy
July 3, 2014
Thinking About Rick Perry
In which we reveal all the behind-the-scenes drama and intrigue behind our August cover package
Politics & Policy
July 3, 2014
A Tale of Two Sisters
In highlighting their bond, Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte are also calling out their Republican counterparts.
Politics & Policy
July 2, 2014
“Honey, Let’s Go Look for Dangerous Chemicals Tonight”
Wendy Davis wins a round over Greg Abbott.
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2014
Road to Nowhere
Why Texas is stuck with its transportation policy.
Politics & Policy
June 26, 2014
A Year Later
A year after the filibuster that made her famous, Wendy Davis was defiant--but measured
Burka Blog
June 26, 2014
A response from Michael Williams
Texas's Commissioner of Education gives our Perry Report Card an F.
Politics & Policy
June 24, 2014
Another inch forward
A visiting judge has ruled that John Dietz can continue to preside over the school finance case.