A Show of Strength, Either Way it Goes
A successful challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus would be a serious show of strength for outside activists. A big defeat, however, could undermine their influence just as the 2013 session begins. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30e6541936cc8f17c6e894d925ba0f25/BD%20INC%20Straus%20Simpson%202012)
-
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
At Hearing, Lawmakers Question CPRIT Officials
Lawmakers on Thursday condemned grant policies at the state's cancer institute that left room for potential conflicts of interest, and criticized a lack of transparency at the CPRIT Foundation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CPRIT-Foundation-Logo_Final_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Lawmakers to Discuss Future of CPRIT Funding
The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday will hear the testimony of officials from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and address whether the state should fund the embattled cancer institute in the future. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/CPRIT-NewLogo-Clean.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Interactive: Fewer Bills Filed Before 83rd Session
Ahead of the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers have filed nearly 200 fewer bills than they had filed at the same point two years ago. Use our bill tracker to follow the process, learn more about the proposals or see what your representative has filed so far. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BillTracker2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
State Leaders Want a Halt on Grants by Cancer Research Institute
State leaders on Wednesday called for a moratorium on grants issued by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. They also want the institute's oversight board to immediately address concerns about its grant-making process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/CPRIT-NewLogo-Clean_dWqSXgV.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
As Fallout From Scandal Continues, El Paso ISD Looks to Aid Dropouts
As the El Paso school district continues to reel from a testing scandal, one district program is focusing on the students who dropped out as a result of pressure from school officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/ExamsDesks.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Guest Column: Pleasing Some Lawmakers Some of the Time
The Texas House under Speaker Joe Straus was more conservative in 2011 than in 2009, but not as conservative as in 2003. For opposite reasons, that was good and bad news for lawmakers from both parties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/MarkJones-sized.jpg)
![Mark P. Jones]()
Credit: Tommy LaVergne of Rice University -
Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions
State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, a former prosecutor and judge, has filed a bill that would allow prosecutors to include accusations by other victims in child sexual assault cases. Defense attorneys worry it would lead to wrongful convictions. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Amid Investigations, CPRIT's Future Uncertain
The future of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is far from certain, as the quasi-governmental agency and its fast-shrinking cast of advisers face accusations of impropriety and criminal and civil investigations. Full Story
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Gains in Texas Budget a Source of Hot Debate
Does Texas need a constitutional cap on spending growth to protect it from the whims of future lawmakers or save it from the current ones? Supporters of the proposal are at odds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasSpendingChart.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Ryan Murphy / Todd Wiseman -
Talk of Term Limits is Back, With Tea Party Help
Limiting the terms of lawmakers and other officeholders was a sexy idea 20 years ago, when Republicans were trying to unseat Democrats. Now it's back. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CapitolSandtimer.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Considering the Arts for Their Economic Benefits
An aggressive effort is afoot to reframe the Texas Commission on the Arts as an engine for economic development and to give Texas’ designated cultural districts access to existing state incentive funds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/121112SanAngeloCultDist6.jpg)
![At the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, Mary Fredrickson, left, an art conservator, discusses restoration work she's doing with Laura Huckaby, the museum's collections manager.]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
Newsreel: Simpson for Speaker, Perry Backs "Fetal Pain" Bill
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: State Rep. David Simpson is officially running for House speaker, but some former opponents of current Speaker Joe Straus are now sticking with the incumbent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/ART_121312.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Big Pay for Cancer Foundation Consultants Draws Criticism
Reports show that much of the $1.2 million of private money raised to help the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas in fiscal year 2011 instead benefited the consultants who oversaw distribution of the funds. Full Story
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
TribLive: A Conversation with Barry Smitherman
Full video of my 12/13 TribLive conversation with Barry Smitherman, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Smitherman-B_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
House Speaker's Race is Bluffing Game for Now
In the race for speaker of the Texas House, everybody has the votes they need. Or they're well on their way. Or at least that's what they're telling the rest of us. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Tax Incentives Could Prove Divisive For GOP
Republican leaders like to say government should just get out of the way and let the private sector do work its unfettered magic. But during the session, they may have a hard time squaring their stated philosophy with their support for tax giveaways to private industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PerryHoldsTEF_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Gage Skidmore / Todd Wiseman -
Speaker Race: Simpson Praying, Hughes Staying
House Speaker Joe Straus has the votes to win reelection, according to his loyalists. But he's got a declared opponent and another in the wings, and they've got a month to work with. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
TribLive: Smitherman on the Shale Boom
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman talked about the economic impact of the state's various shale plays, as well as concerns about the negative effects on roads, water and air quality. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Smitherman-B-2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
TribLive: Smitherman on Conflicts of Interest
At this morning's TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman explained his opposition to Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations intended to address perceived conflicts of interest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Smitherman-B.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7d50b09bd320d6a5a7cc37f65a950cea/TT%20EVENT%20Legislative%20Session%20Preview%2002%202012)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7614e6e08e96d78750578e555d174903/BD%20INC%20Simpson%20PR%20187%20CMS%202011)