In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state demographer Lloyd Potter about coming changes to our population that will have profound public policy implications: explosive growth, rapid urbanization and demographic inevitability.
Evan Smith
Posted inState Government
Point of Order: Over the rainbow
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Celia Israel, a founding member of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, about sexual orientation, nondiscrimination and public policy — how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
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State Government
Point of Order: Appraising the House
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Reps. Dade Phelan and Donna Howard about the work done and not done in the lower chamber so far this session — and what’s likely to happen on the last stretch of road to Sine Die.
Posted inState Government
T-Squared: Ready, set, #tribfest19
Registration for the 2019 Texas Tribune Festival is open now. Our ninth annual convening of big names and brains talking big ideas is absolutely going to be the best yet.
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T-Squared
T-Squared: Join our people-powered newsroom
It’s our mission to create a more engaged and informed Texas. Is that not a cause worthy of your support?
Posted in
Energy
Point of Order: Crude awakening
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Chris Paddie, who chairs the House Energy Resources Committee, about the impact of oil and gas activity on the Texas economy, the downside of the upside, and what the future holds.
Posted inState Government
Point of Order: The Rollback Pushback
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Austin Mayor Steve Adler about House Bill 2 — a property tax bill the chamber is expected to tackle Thursday — and his strong objections to the precise plans for property tax reform favored by state leaders.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Point of Order: The news about the news
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Mike Wilson, editor of The Dallas Morning News, and Debbie Hiott, general manager of Austin public radio station KUT, about the romantic ideal and precarious reality of the Capitol press corps.
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Politics
Point of Order: Will Texas Finally Go to Pot?
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Sen. Jose Menéndez about marijuana’s bipartisan moment — how the politics of legalization, decriminalization, medical cannabis and CBD oil make for strange budfellows.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Point of Order: Texas and the sexes
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to House members Mary Gonzalez, Sarah Davis and Toni Rose about gender, politics and public policy in a state where the population is majority female but elected officials are overwhelmingly male.