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.
Erica Grieder is a senior Editor at Texas Monthly. From 2007 to 2012, she covered Texas as the southwest correspondent for the Economist, to which she still contributes. Her writing has also appeared in the New York Times, the Spectator, the Atlantic, Foreign Policy, and the New Republic. Her first book, Big, Hot, Cheap and Right, was published in April 2013 by Public Affairs Books. She lives in Austin.
Last night's debate suggested that Texans still recoil at divisive rhetoric on illegal immigration--and that Republicans know it.
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.
Two controversial topics were taken up on the first day of the LBJ Presidential Library's Civil Rights Summit.
As the president declares "Equal Pay Day", Bethany Albertson of UT Austin offers a different perspective on Texas's equal pay debate.
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.
Four presidents will speak at the LBJ Presidential Library's Civil Rights Summit this week.
A response to Texas Monthly's coverage of the equal pay debate.
By Erica Grieder and Bethany Albertson
There's bound to be a certain degree of tension within the Republican coalition.
Glenn Hegar's proposal to eliminate property taxes in Texas could result in a huge spike in the sales tax.
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
Wendy Davis and the Democrats are on the attack about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, but would the bill have addressed the problem?
By Erica Grieder and Brian D. Sweany
Dan Branch is facing a headache over an amendment to an amendment he proposed in 2005. Here's why it's an unfair attack.
Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, posted a strong showing in the March 4th primary
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
Ted Cruz should know better than to lambast federal judges for being unelected
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
Republicans shouldn't pressure Dewhurst or Branch to drop out
David Dewhurst should give up his bid for re-election.
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
The governor gave a rousing speech, but his interpretation of the Constitution is too narrow
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
Campaigns get complicated when politics and gender collide. Just ask Wendy Davis.
A real-time view of an election in which the tea party flexed its muscles.
By Paul Burka, Erica Grieder and Brian D. Sweany
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.
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.
What Wendy Davis really thinks about abortion.
After the earthquakes in the Barnett Shale, some small-town citizens underwent a surprising transformation.
By Erica Grieder and Texas Monthly
A report from the Congressional Budget Office projects that the Affordable Care Act will keep American's labor force participation rate at anemic levels.
The governor's support for decriminalizing marijuana surprised people, but he's been a critic of the "war on drugs" for a long time.
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
By Erica Grieder and Brian D. Sweany
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.
By Erica Grieder and Texas Monthly
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?
The comptroller candidate was tea party when tea party wasn’t cool. Does she stand a chance in 2014?
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.
Texas politics in 2014 is certain to be interesting.
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.
By Erica Grieder and Nate Blakeslee
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.
By Erica Grieder and Susannah Jacob
Bill Callegari's retirement
By Erica Grieder and Paul Burka
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.
Texas is one of the country’s most philanthropic states. Is that because we’re also one of the most fiscally conservative?
The senator's campaign to defund Obamacare is frustrating people on both sides of the aisle. That doesn't mean it's wrong.
Rick Perry’s legacy will rise and fall on the “Texas miracle.” Is it real? If so, should he get the credit?
Rick Perry isn't running for re-election in 2014
Freshmen, per Texas tradition, should be seen and not heard—unless they're passing a first-in-the-nation email privacy measure.
By Erica Grieder and Sky Chadde
With all the strange things that happened during Wendy Davis's filibuster, there's one point that has gone almost unnoticed.
By Sonia Smith and Erica Grieder
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.
By Sonia Smith and Erica Grieder
A proposal to expand funding for transportation may face some snarls in the Texas House.
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.
Up with the "Merry Christmas" bill, down with the Medicaid rider.
Central Texas was the first stop on President Obama's "Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity" tour.
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.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum opened today. Americans are still trying to figure out how we feel about that.
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!
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
The latest edition of "Texas on the Brink" shows that for all of its success, Texas has plenty of room for improvement