state government

TribuneFest: Smitherman's Energy Plan for Texas

By Evan Smith May 1, 2012

At the Trib's April 13 energy symposium at the University of Houston, Railroad Comission Chairman Barry Smitherman sketched out his vision of an energy plan for the state. Full Story
GOP Candidates for Railroad Commission Share a Target: The EPA

By Kate Galbraith May 1, 2012

One overriding theme unifies the multiple Republican candidates for two Texas Railroad Commission slots: The Environmental Protection Agency has overreached and must be scaled back. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Filing by Cook's Lawyers Says DA Kept Murder Weapon as "Souvenir"

By Brandi Grissom May 1, 2012

UPDATED: Former Smith County District Attorney A.D. Clark III denies allegations by Kerry Max Cook's lawyers that Clark had kept the knife linked to Linda Jo Edwards' fatal stabbing at his home. Full Story
Combs, Others Say Plan Protects Rare Lizards, Oil and Gas Interests

By Minjae Park April 30, 2012

Comptroller Susan Combs and other officials testified in favor of a plan that aims to balance protecting a rare lizard species and maintaining oil and gas production in its habitat. Full Story

Credit: Steve Jurvetson
Jones Strikes Back at Wentworth's "Puppet" Ad

By Reeve Hamilton April 30, 2012

Last week, state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, released a television ad depicting his opponent, former Railroad commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, as a literal puppet. Today, she struck back with an ad of her own. Full Story
TribLive: A Conversation with Eissler and Hochberg

By Evan Smith April 30, 2012

Full video of my April 26 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston — the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the House Public Education Committee. Full Story
Slideshow: Dewhurst as Lieutenant Governor

By Bob Daemmrich April 29, 2012

Here's a look at photos over the nine years that David Dewhurst has been lieutenant governor. Polls show he is the front-runner to succeed U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Full Story
Dewhurst's Tenure as Lieutenant Governor is Both Praised and Panned

By Aman Batheja April 29, 2012

After nine years as lieutenant governor of Texas, David Dewhurst can point to major conservative victories, but critics say he has lacked a backbone at times. Full Story

Credit: Michael Stravato
Amazon, State Settle Sales Tax Fight

By Ross Ramsey April 27, 2012

Amazon.com will start collecting sales taxes from Texas customers and invest $200 million and create 2,500 jobs in the state over the next four years. In return, the state will drop its efforts to collect back taxes from the company. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn
At Capitol, Fresh Faces and an Experience Deficit

By Ross Ramsey April 27, 2012

The next version of the Texas Legislature will have an unusually high number of new lawmakers — and a temporary deficit in legislative experience. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 129

By Reeve Hamilton April 26, 2012

In this week's special edition of the TribCast, taped live before an audience at the historic Cactus Cafe, Reeve, Emily, Julian and Ben talk about Texas primaries, the Supreme Court taking up the Arizona immigration law and The Colbert Report. Full Story

Credit: Jeff Heimsath
Study: Texas to Outpace Other States in Health Insurance Rebates

By Susannah Jacob April 26, 2012

Texas consumers and businesses could get $186 million in rebates from health insurers under a requirement of the Affordable Care Act, according a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Full Story
Video: Fertile Ground — The Effects of Family Planning Budget Cuts

By Thanh Tan April 26, 2012

The first part in our occasional series examining the battle over family planning in Texas considers the impact of lawmakers' orders to reduce spending on birth control and cancer screenings. A UT-Austin research group is beginning to track the fallout. Full Story
Commercial Benefits of University Research Touted at Hearing

By Minjae Park April 25, 2012

Two House committees held a joint hearing today to explore how scientific research at universities can be commercialized for the benefit of businesses and the state economy. They heard testimony from the state's leading research universities. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Kumar Appaiah / Todd Wiseman
Cruz Gains Ground on Dewhurst, Poll Finds

By Aman Batheja April 25, 2012

A new poll of Texas Republican primary voters finds former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz closing the gap with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the U.S. Senate race. Full Story
Gilberto Hinojosa: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey April 25, 2012

The former county judge on why he's running for chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, what would pull the party out of the doldrums and what he thinks of the Republicans. Full Story
Dewhurst to Promote "Mini-Doc" Knocking Cruz on Hulu

By Aman Batheja April 24, 2012

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is releasing a "mini-documentary" this week focused on Ted Cruz. The campaign plans to promote the video to visitors on Hulu.com. Full Story
Amazon, Comptroller Negotiating Sales Tax Deal

By Ross Ramsey April 24, 2012

Amazon.com and the state are working on a deal to get the online retailer to pay sales tax and create jobs in Texas, reviving talks that fell apart at the end of last year's legislative session. Full Story
Video: McLeroy on The Colbert Report

By Evan Smith April 24, 2012

On last night's episode of The Colbert Report, former State Board of Education chairman Don McLeroy discussed evolution, textbooks and the new documentary about him. Full Story
Obesity Series Showing Texas Schools Debuts

By Minjae Park April 24, 2012

Part of an HBO documentary series on obesity was screened Monday in Austin. Comptroller Susan Combs, who appears in the series, emphasized at the screening that parents need to take charge of their children's health. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by HBO