More than 373,000 Texans went uncounted by the 2000 census, resulting in a loss of $1 billion in federal funds. With eight of the nation’s 50 hardest-to-count counties right here in our state, the coming 2010 census is a cause for concern — and an apparent lack of attention by elected officials is making matters worse.
redistricting
Posted in
State Government
Seat Warmers?
Dallas County Republicans are jockeying for a chance to topple two freshman Democrats who seized House districts in 2008. The incumbent Dems — hoping to claim their first House majority in eight years — are girding for battle.
Posted inState Government
Mapping it Out
Census offices across Texas are gearing up to collect data for the 2010 census. Population growth in Texas is expected to bring the state 3 to 4 new congressional seats. Ben Philpott, who’s covering politics for KUT News and the Tribune, says it will also lead to another round of redistricting battles between Democrats and Republicans.
Posted in
Politics
Mapping It Out
What does the 2010 census mean for 2011 redistricting? Ben Philpott filed this report for KUT News and the Tribune.
Posted in
State Government
Things that Make You Go Hmm…
It’s going to be a noisy start to the year for Republicans, who have an unusual number of primary challengers to incumbents. Democrats, meanwhile, are making a weak play for political control in the next decade.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Time’s Up
The political window is about to close: Today’s the last day to become a candidate in the 2010 state elections. What we know so far is that the ballot will have a fireworks show at the top, with contested and well-financed gubernatorial primaries on both sides. A couple of statewide Democratic races will be competitive, but with incumbents seeking reelection on the Republican side, there’s little action there.
Posted in
Demographics
TribBlog: Texas Grows
We added more people this year than any other state — more than Florida, Arizona, California, Nevada and Colorado combined.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
Stiles and Thevenot collaborate on the salaries paid to superintendents, and even compare them on price per student… Ramsey’s look at redistricting and next year’s elections… Aguilar’s report on jails, brought to you by the federal agency that’s in the ag business… Rapoport’s peek at the power behind Texas pre-kindergarten programs… Smith’s conversation with Dan Patrick, in three parts… Grissom’s narrative on a circular immigration and deportation route financed by two governments… Ramshaw finds doctors agreeing on public policy and split on strategy and tactics… Hu’s latest Stump Interrupted puts the camera on Farouk Shami… Hamilton’s story on two retired cops who are taking on cargo theft in Texas… And Kreighbaum and Stiles pop open the itineraries of your folks in Congress. The best of our best from December 12 to 18, 2009.
Posted in
Demographics
Guest Column: The Texas Political Atlas
On the eve of a noisy election year, the former lieutenant governor of Texas takes us on a tour through voting and demographic statistics.
Posted in
State Government
Never Can Say Goodbye
Texas voters won’t be offered a real chance at change in the Legislature and Congress next year. Four out of five state and federal lawmakers face no real competition in their primary or general elections.
