The departure of the energy secretary and former Texas governor makes him one of about a dozen Cabinet members to leave their post during President Trump’s administration.
Rick Perry
Posted in
Health care
Texas has the most people without health insurance in the nation — again
For the second year in a row, the number of Texans without health insurance increased, and fewer people enrolled in Medicaid.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Transparency can be downright hazardous to Texas lawmakers
A state senator decided to run for U.S. Senate and had to disclose information about his income and assets that isn’t required of Texas officials. Just think what we might learn if Texas politicians had to meet the more stringent federal standards.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Analysis: Bigger stages demand better contestants — in politics, as in everything else
Julián Castro and Beto O’Rourke, the Texans in the scrum of Democrats seeking that party’s presidential nomination, have been on big stages before. But not this big.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: How to turn a weak Texas governor’s office into a strong one
Gov. Greg Abbott, continuing a quiet project started by his predecessor, is making his office more powerful — at the Texas Legislature’s expense.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
How Joe Barton’s downfall led to two competitive Texas races
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton’s startling retirement amid unsavory headlines — coupled with a turbulent national political environment — makes the open-seat race to replace him uncharted territory for candidates from both parties.
Posted in
Congress
Donald Trump nominates Texan Ronny Jackson to lead Department of Veterans Affairs
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation that another Texan — Energy Secretary Rick Perry — might land the post.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Why Texas Republicans hope 2018 won’t be like 1990
Texas Republicans busted through a Democratic wall in 1990, but only because their candidate in the big race that year came close enough to make other victories possible. Texas Democrats haven’t been able to get that close.
Posted in
Energy
Audit: Company behind Texas “clean coal” project used federal funds for liquor, limousines and lobbying
The U.S. Department of Energy’s inspector general says that a now-bankrupt company behind a defunct West Texas “clean coal” power plant spent more than $1.3 million in federal stimulus funds on things like spa service, alcohol, first-class travel and limousine services.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Analysis: There’s a reason Texas governors keep failing to lower property taxes
Anguish over property taxes is at or near the top of the list of what politicians hear most often from Texans. This is not a complicated part of the civic compact: Voters are peeved. Politicians aim to please. Lowering taxes would make a politician popular with voters.