State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, urged the GOP to focus on appealing to Hispanic voters, emphasizing that the “ultimate survivability of the Republican Party” is at stake, in an Austin speech Thursday.
Eli Okun
Eli Okun was an intern at The Texas Tribune in 2014. He has a degree in international relations at Brown University, where he worked as the editor-in-chief of The Brown Daily Herald. He previously worked for the Providence Business News, The Washington Post and the Current Newspapers in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
Economy
In Bank Debate, High Stakes for Texas Businesses and GOP
A once-obscure federal export credit agency has landed at the center of a national debate over business and free-market ideology, with potentially enduring ramifications for the Texas companies it supports and the Republicans it is dividing.
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Economy
GOP State Senate Nominees Speak Out Against Historical Racing
Five Republican nominees for seats in the Texas Senate voiced public opposition Monday to a proposal that would allow a controversial new form of betting on horse races in Texas.
Posted inState Government
Alamo Drafthouse’s Don’t Talk PSA Spoofs Abbott Campaign Ad
After Greg Abbott’s gubernatorial campaign released an ad featuring the attorney general in a movie theater, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema responded Thursday with a tongue-in-cheek message to admonish him: Don’t talk while the movie is playing.
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Economy
Report Urges More Funding for Job Training Programs
A new workforce report released Wednesday by the Texas comptroller’s office emphasizes the importance of investing in training and education to keep up with a rapidly changing employment landscape.
Posted inState Government
Perry Sets Sept. 9 Election for Duncan’s Senate Seat
The special election to replace state Sen. Robert Duncan will take place Sept. 9, Gov. Rick Perry announced Tuesday.
Posted in
Economy
Report: Texas Lags on Child Well-Being
Texas ranks among the 10 worst states on a variety of indicators of child well-being, according to a new national analysis out Tuesday.
Posted inState Government
Dewhurst Fills Empty Senate Committee Chairmanships
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Friday announced a slew of appointments to various Senate committees or boards in advance of the upcoming legislative session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Judge’s Ruling Goes Against Death Row Inmate Skinner
A district court judge ruled against death row inmate Hank Skinner on Tuesday in the wake of new DNA testing, saying it was “reasonably probable” he would still have been convicted had the evidence been available at trial.
Posted in
Economy
Conservative Groups Urge Strict Budget Spending Cap
A coalition of conservative groups set forth a strict proposal for the state’s fiscal future, emphasizing hard spending caps to limit the size of government, with the release Tuesday of a budget report from the Texas Public Policy Foundation.