Subscribe to the Latest from TX
The LATEST from TX
-
- Stateline Story
Power Prices Put Utilities in the Hot Seat
Spurred by skyrocketing power bills, lawmakers in at least six states are considering reining in electric utilities that were freed from regulation in the late 1990s.more -
- Stateline Story
Texas State of the State Address 2007
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 2 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Rick Perry's (R) 2007 state of the state address. Members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, my fellow Texans: It is an honor to speak from this historic dais once again just three weeks since I took the oath to serve as your governor for four m
more -
- Stateline Story
Mega-Donors Get Mixed Election Results
The power of personal fortunes to sway political outcomes was put to the test in state races across the country last year. With help from billionaire activist Jon Stryker, an heir to a medical products fortune, Democrats captured control of the Michigan state House for the first time in 12 years. But other super-rich donors got less bang for their buck.more -
- Stateline Story
Seven States Win Federal Tax-Break Extension
Taxpayers in seven states without income taxes are poised to keep a federal tax break while four Gulf Coast states stand to gain millions of dollars in new oil royalties, thanks to the outgoing Republican-controlled Congress.more -
- Stateline Story
Voucher Groups Seek to Oust Opponents
This year, school choice - or using public money to pay for private school tuition - is a big election issue in states where voucher plans have been defeated by narrow margins in recent years, such as Utah, South Carolina and Texas. Meanwhile, those same states have pro-school choice organizations that are well-funded and increasingly politically savvy.more -
- Stateline Story
For Texas Speaker, Suite Gets Sweeter
As the first Republican speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction, Tom Craddick has reshaped Lone Star State politics. Now, Craddick wants to leave a lasting mark on the Texas Capitol itself, with a controversial $500,000 project to deck out his own apartment there.more -
- Stateline Story
States Stumble Privatizing Social Services
It sounds like a good idea: Replace state employees with a high-tech contractor to more efficiently screen thousands of applications for state support, and save taxpayers millions. That's what Texas and Indiana policy-makers thought. But early results of a privately run social services project in Texas and troubles with the Indiana bidding process have caused both states to put their plans on hold.more -
- Stateline Story
Seven States Woo Clean-Coal Power Plant
Seven states are competing with dollars and regulatory breaks to be the host for a $1 billion federal and private energy initiative being billed as the world's cleanest coal-burning power plant. The project is expected to provide 1,300 construction jobs and 150 facility positions and to generate 275 megawatts of electricity through a process that would eliminate nearly all air pollutants.more -
- Stateline Story
Texas pharmacist to head NCSL(2)
SAN ANTONIO -- A working pharmacist and mother of six, Texas state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte led Democrats on a 45-day walkout to New Mexico in 2003 to protest a Republican-backed redistricting plan. Now, the straight-talking 51-year-old is ready to add another job to her already full plate.more -
- Stateline Story
Texas Pharmacist to Head NCSL
Leticia Van de Putte brings 26 years of experience as a pharmacist to the National Conference of State Legislatures. She also brings a reputation as a bipartisan leader -- except when it comes to Texas redistricting.more
