Politics & Policy
April 16, 2014
The Politics of Illegal Immigration
Last night's debate suggested that Texans still recoil at divisive rhetoric on illegal immigration--and that Republicans know it.
334 Articles
Politics & Policy
April 11, 2014
Obama’s Approach to Civil Rights
At his keynote speech at the Civil Rights Summit, the President honored LBJ's legacy on civil rights--but implied that he would try to advance it by other means.
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2014
Gay Marriage and Immigration
Two controversial topics were taken up on the first day of the LBJ Presidential Library's Civil Rights Summit.
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2014
A Response on Equal Pay
As the president declares "Equal Pay Day", Bethany Albertson of UT Austin offers a different perspective on Texas's equal pay debate.
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2014
A Response on Equal Pay
As Barack Obama declares "Equal Pay Day," Bethany Albertson, an assistant professor of government at UT Austin, offers a different perspective on the equal pay debate.
Politics & Policy
April 7, 2014
The Civil Rights Act at 50
Four presidents will speak at the LBJ Presidential Library's Civil Rights Summit this week.
Politics & Policy
April 4, 2014
She Works (As?) Hard for the Money
A response to Texas Monthly's coverage of the equal pay debate.
Politics & Policy
April 2, 2014
Libertarians and Social Conservatives
There's bound to be a certain degree of tension within the Republican coalition.
Politics & Policy
March 31, 2014
The Property-Tax Problem
Glenn Hegar's proposal to eliminate property taxes in Texas could result in a huge spike in the sales tax.
Politics & Policy
March 24, 2014
The Truth About Equal Pay
Wendy Davis and the Democrats are on the attack about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, but would the bill have addressed the problem?
Politics & Policy
March 19, 2014
A Petty Turn in the AG Race
Dan Branch is facing a headache over an amendment to an amendment he proposed in 2005. Here's why it's an unfair attack.
Politics & Policy
March 13, 2014
A Bright Spot for Democrats
Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, posted a strong showing in the March 4th primary
Burka Blog
March 12, 2014
Unelected Judges
Ted Cruz should know better than to lambast federal judges for being unelected
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2014
The Case Against Dropping Out
Republicans shouldn't pressure Dewhurst or Branch to drop out
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2014
Lost Causes
David Dewhurst should give up his bid for re-election.
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2014
Perry’s Constitutional Philosophy
The governor gave a rousing speech, but his interpretation of the Constitution is too narrow
Politics & Policy
March 7, 2014
Bio Hazard
Campaigns get complicated when politics and gender collide. Just ask Wendy Davis.
Politics & Policy
March 5, 2014
Primary Day 2014
A real-time view of an election in which the tea party flexed its muscles.
Politics & Policy
February 19, 2014
Raising the Minimum Wage Is Still a Good Idea for Texas
A new CBO report warns that raising the federal minimum wage would reduce employment, around the country, by 500,000 jobs. Texas wouldn't see the worst of that.
News & Politics
February 17, 2014
The Revolt Against Crony Capitalism
Rick Perry’s approach to economic development is being challenged by candidates from both parties. But history shows that Perry is only conducting business as usual.
Politics & Policy
February 12, 2014
Splitting Hairs on Abortion Restrictions
What Wendy Davis really thinks about abortion.
News & Politics
February 12, 2014
Shaken and Stirred
After the earthquakes in the Barnett Shale, some small-town citizens underwent a surprising transformation.
Politics & Policy
February 4, 2014
The Labor Force Participation Rate Problem
A report from the Congressional Budget Office projects that the Affordable Care Act will keep American's labor force participation rate at anemic levels.
Politics & Policy
January 27, 2014
Perry in Davos
The governor's support for decriminalizing marijuana surprised people, but he's been a critic of the "war on drugs" for a long time.
Politics & Policy
January 23, 2014
The Ted Cruz Experience
Good morning, Texans. It’s great to see you all on BurkaBlog, and I’m tickled that I can start my time here by referring you to my profile of Ted Cruz–the cover story for our February issue. I began reporting this story in July. The idea was to publish
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2014
Preview: The Man in the Arena
An excerpt from Erica Grieder’s February 2014 cover story on Senator Ted Cruz, which will officially hit newsstands (and the web) on January 22.
Politics & Policy
January 10, 2014
The Man in the Arena
In the brief time Ted Cruz has been a senator, he has managed to convince half the country that he is a true patriot and the other half that he is a dangerous nutcase. What will he do next?
Politics & Policy
December 15, 2013
The Debra Medina Interview
The comptroller candidate was tea party when tea party wasn’t cool. Does she stand a chance in 2014?
Politics & Policy
December 13, 2013
Why a Stockman Challenge Is Good for Cornyn
If, or really when, Cornyn wins the 2014 primary, it will be as a Republican who was taken to task by the tea party and prevailed.
Politics & Policy
November 22, 2013
The Political Outlook For 2014
Texas politics in 2014 is certain to be interesting.
Politics & Policy
October 9, 2013
The Obamacare Exchange
Having trouble logging on to healthcare.gov? You're not alone. In the meantime, here's an exchange you can easily access--an email colloquy about the Affordable Care Act.
Politics & Policy
October 1, 2013
Jerry’s Daughter
Among the many Texans transfixed by Wendy Davis's June 25th filibuster was her father, Jerry Russell. In July, he shared some memories about Davis's childhood, her challenges, and what he was thinking on the day that shook up Texas's political scene.
Politics & Policy
September 23, 2013
Bill Callegari’s Retirement
Bill Callegari's retirement
News & Politics
September 17, 2013
Money Makes the World Go Round
And as president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Richard Fisher helps make the money go round. Meet the Fed’s most unlikely central banker.
Politics & Policy
September 17, 2013
What Gives?
Texas is one of the country’s most philanthropic states. Is that because we’re also one of the most fiscally conservative?
News & Politics
August 27, 2013
In Defense of Ted Cruz
The senator's campaign to defund Obamacare is frustrating people on both sides of the aisle. That doesn't mean it's wrong.
Politics & Policy
July 15, 2013
Happy Trails
Rick Perry’s legacy will rise and fall on the “Texas miracle.” Is it real? If so, should he get the credit?
Politics & Policy
July 8, 2013
Rick Perry’s Long Goodbye
Rick Perry isn't running for re-election in 2014
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2013
Jonathan Stickland Knows He’s “That Guy”
Freshmen, per Texas tradition, should be seen and not heard—unless they're passing a first-in-the-nation email privacy measure.
Politics & Policy
June 26, 2013
A Bill is Killed; A Star is Born
With all the strange things that happened during Wendy Davis's filibuster, there's one point that has gone almost unnoticed.
Politics & Policy
June 25, 2013
Q&A with Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards
The daughter of former Texas governor Ann Richards is at the Capitol Tuesday to support Sen. Wendy Davis as she filibusters SB-5, an omnibus abortion bill that critics say could shutter 37 of the state's 42 abortion providers.
Politics & Policy
June 21, 2013
Wrecks and Roadblocks
A proposal to expand funding for transportation may face some snarls in the Texas House.
Politics & Policy
June 16, 2013
2013: The Best and Worst Legislators
Proving the skeptics wrong, the Eighty-third Legislature accomplished most of what it planned to do. Our twenty-third roundup of the Capitol’s saints and sinners reveals who we can thank—and who we needn’t.
Politics & Policy
May 19, 2013
The Tea Party Influence
Up with the "Merry Christmas" bill, down with the Medicaid rider.
Politics & Policy
May 9, 2013
Obamarama, Part 1
Central Texas was the first stop on President Obama's "Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity" tour.
Politics & Policy
May 7, 2013
Flexibility, Rigor, But Not Necessarily Algebra II
On Monday the Senate passed HB-5, which slashes the number of mandatory tests in Texas high schools, proposes a new way to rate districts, and restructures the high school diploma plans.
Politics & Policy
April 25, 2013
Dubya Trouble
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum opened today. Americans are still trying to figure out how we feel about that.
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2013
The Most Shocking Texas Jobs Report in Years
The latest data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows that the state actually lost jobs last month. About 4,100. The total employment numbers have changed 0.0 percent. But still!
Politics & Policy
April 18, 2013
What Texas City Might Tell Us About West, Texas
After the deadliest industrial accident in American history, the people of Texas City were angry—at the government, not the company that caused the catastrophe
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2013
Where Texas Falls Short
The latest edition of "Texas on the Brink" shows that for all of its success, Texas has plenty of room for improvement