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src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/logos/TT-5thAnniversary-logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-03-17T17:50:30.743954">Tuesday, March 17, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <header class="auxiliary content_header"> <ul class="actions"> <li class="rss"> <a type="application/rss+xml" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/feeds/staff/jay-root/">RSS <span></span></a> </li> </ul> <h1>Jay Root <span>Reporter</span></h1> </header> <div class="intro"> <div class="media headshot_portrait"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/root-jay_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox inline"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/root-jay_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <p> <strong>Jay Root</strong> is a native of Liberty. He never knew any reporters growing up, and he has never taken a journalism class in his life. But somehow he got hooked on the news business. It all started when Root walked into the offices of The Daily Texan, his college newspaper, during his last year at the University of Texas in 1987. He couldn't resist the draw: it was the biggest collection of misfits ever assembled. After graduating, he took a job at a Houston chemical company and soon realized it wasn't for him. Root applied for an unpaid internship at the Houston Post in 1990, and it turned into a full-time job that same year. He has been a reporter ever since. Root has covered natural disasters, live music and Texas politics — not necessarily in that order. He was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a dozen years, most of them good. He also covered politics and the Legislature for The Associated Press before joining the staff of the Tribune.Root is the author of “Oops! A Diary From The 2012 Campaign Trail,” an insider’s account of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s dramatic collapse in the 2012 presidential race. The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://byliner.com/originals/oops">book</a> was released in September, 2012.</p> </p> <ul class="social_links"> <li><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85eff7eaeaf1c5f1e0fde4f6f1f7ece7f0ebe0abeaf7e2"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84eef6ebebf0c4f0e1fce5f7f0f6ede6f1eae1aaebf6e3">[email protected]</span><script cf-hash="f9e31" type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */!function(){try{var t="currentScript"in document?document.currentScript:function(){for(var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script"),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute("cf-hash"))return t[e]}();if(t&&t.previousSibling){var e,r,n,i,c=t.previousSibling,a=c.getAttribute("data-cfemail");if(a){for(e="",r=parseInt(a.substr(0,2),16),n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)i=parseInt(a.substr(n,2),16)^r,e+=String.fromCharCode(i);e=document.createTextNode(e),c.parentNode.replaceChild(e,c)}}}catch(u){}}();/* ]]> */</script></span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/tel:512-716-8643"> <i class="icon-phone"></i> <span>512-716-8643</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://twitter.com/byjayroot" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>@byjayroot</span> </a></li> </ul> </div> <section id="contributions"> <a name="contributions"></a> <h2>Recent Contributions</h2> <div class="contributions"> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=37#contributions" class="page">37</a></li><li><a href="?page=38#contributions" class="page">38</a></li><li><a href="?page=39#contributions" class="page">39</a></li><li><a href="?page=40#contributions" class="page">40</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/double-dipping-ban-sails-out-committee/">Double-Dipping Ban Sails Out of Committee</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/double-dipping-ban-sails-out-committee/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Turner-Perry_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Turner-Perry_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:00:46 -0500" title="2015-03-16 17:00"> March 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/double-dipping-ban-sails-out-committee/comments/"><span class="value">26</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Longtime elected officials would no longer be able to use an obscure perk to boost their take-home pay under a bill that sailed out of a House committee Monday. The proposed double-dipping ban now heads to the House floor.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/double-dipping-ban-sails-out-committee/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/perry-gone-travel-costs-still-being-tallied/">Perry is Gone, but Travel Costs Still Being Tallied</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/perry-gone-travel-costs-still-being-tallied/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/APerryImpromptu310CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rick Perry campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, on Dec. 31, 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/APerryImpromptu310CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rick Perry campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, on Dec. 31, 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rick Perry campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, on Dec. 31, 2011.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> and <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:57:32 -0500" title="2015-03-11 12:57"> March 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/perry-gone-travel-costs-still-being-tallied/comments/"><span class="value">27</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span><span>As the state tallies the tax dollars spent on former Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a><span>'s security while he was running for president, a lawmaker wants future elected officials to reimburse Texas for out-of-state trips that don't involve official business.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/perry-gone-travel-costs-still-being-tallied/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/double-dipping-ban-move/">Double-Dipping Ban is on the Move</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/double-dipping-ban-move/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Turner-Perry_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Turner-Perry_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 9 Mar 2015 18:00:32 -0500" title="2015-03-09 18:00"> March 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/double-dipping-ban-move/comments/"><span class="value">29</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Efforts to ban longtime politicians from double-dipping their salaries and their pensions — as former Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> started doing in 2011 — went nowhere two years ago. But this year the idea is picking up steam.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/double-dipping-ban-move/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/high-hopes-ethics-reform-its-early/">High Hopes for Ethics Reform, but It's Early</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/high-hopes-ethics-reform-its-early/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/06/Abbott-Taylor-Geren_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Gov. Greg Abbott; and state Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/06/Abbott-Taylor-Geren_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Gov. Greg Abbott; and state Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Gov. Greg Abbott; and state Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 6 Mar 2015 15:41:53 -0600" title="2015-03-06 15:41"> March 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/high-hopes-ethics-reform-its-early/comments/"><span class="value">9</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>'s full-throated embrace of ethics reform, a rarity under the Capitol dome, is breathing new life into the issue of years of failed efforts. But changing the status quo remains very much a work in progress.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/high-hopes-ethics-reform-its-early/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/28/rats-bats-and-bureaucratic-woe-state-government/">Signs of Neglect, Wear and Tear in State Government</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/28/rats-bats-and-bureaucratic-woe-state-government/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/27/Building_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="This 25-year-old doublewide was supposed to be a temporary building for the Texas School for the Deaf's human resources department. It was found to have a severe rodent infestation."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/27/Building_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="This 25-year-old doublewide was supposed to be a temporary building for the Texas School for the Deaf's human resources department. It was found to have a severe rodent infestation." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Obtained by the Texas Tribune</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">This 25-year-old doublewide was supposed to be a temporary building for the Texas School for the Deaf's human resources department. It was found to have a severe rodent infestation.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> and <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:41:56 -0600" title="2015-02-28 11:41"> Feb. 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/28/rats-bats-and-bureaucratic-woe-state-government/comments/"><span class="value">131</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>After years of budget cuts, raids on dedicated funding and deferred maintenance, rats, bats, leaking roofs and audible bathroom sounds are the new normal in state government.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/28/rats-bats-and-bureaucratic-woe-state-government/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/insurance-companies-score-new-victory-supreme-cour/">High Court Ruling Protects Insurers From Lawsuits</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/insurance-companies-score-new-victory-supreme-cour/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/18/BestOf-2014-011_2_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Glenn Johnson, 55, was injured in a smelting accident near Amarillo in 1997 when a furnace filled with molten metal exploded, crushed him and left major burns across 90 percent of his body. Johnson struggled to get compensation for his on-the-job injuries. "> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/18/BestOf-2014-011_2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Glenn Johnson, 55, was injured in a smelting accident near Amarillo in 1997 when a furnace filled with molten metal exploded, crushed him and left major burns across 90 percent of his body. Johnson struggled to get compensation for his on-the-job injuries. " class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Glenn Johnson, 55, was injured in a smelting accident near Amarillo in 1997 when a furnace filled with molten metal exploded, crushed him and left major burns across 90 percent of his body. Johnson struggled to get compensation for his on-the-job injuries. </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 27 Feb 2015 16:55:22 -0600" title="2015-02-27 16:55"> Feb. 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/insurance-companies-score-new-victory-supreme-cour/comments/"><span class="value">63</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In a major victory for insurance companies, the Texas Supreme Court said Friday that injured workers can't sue for damages in workers' compensation claims even when the insurer intentionally misrepresents their policies, or uses the criminal justice system to punish them.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/insurance-companies-score-new-victory-supreme-cour/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/consumers-getting-screwed-says-new-ag-commissioner/">Ag Commissioner Says Consumers Being "Screwed"</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/consumers-getting-screwed-says-new-ag-commissioner/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/27/ttf-gabriel-177_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Sid Miller at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/27/ttf-gabriel-177_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sid Miller at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sid Miller at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> and <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 27 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-27 06:00"> Feb. 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/consumers-getting-screwed-says-new-ag-commissioner/comments/"><span class="value">63</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Department of Agriculture is supposed to ensure consumers aren't getting ripped off by fuel pumps, retail scanners or other measuring devices. But the agency is so cash-strapped that consumers are getting "screwed" due to a lack of oversight, the agency's new commissioner says.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/27/consumers-getting-screwed-says-new-ag-commissioner/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/lobby-firm-assisted-drafting-gop-caucus-letter/">Lobby Firm Helped Draft GOP Letter to Racing Commission</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/lobby-firm-assisted-drafting-gop-caucus-letter/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/7C2A9889_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="January 12th, 2015 Conversation with Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston and Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/7C2A9889_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="January 12th, 2015 Conversation with Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston and Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">January 12th, 2015 Conversation with Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston and Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Feb 2015 17:04:50 -0600" title="2015-02-24 17:04"> Feb. 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/lobby-firm-assisted-drafting-gop-caucus-letter/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>State Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joan-huffman/">Joan Huffman</a> acknowledges that a lobby firm with ties to casino interests helped her draft a GOP caucus letter blasting a proposal to allow expanded gambling at horse tracks. Now a major proponent of the tracks is crying foul.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/lobby-firm-assisted-drafting-gop-caucus-letter/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/22/perrys-embrace-tax-subsidies-could-haunt-16-race/">Perry's Embrace of Tax Subsidies Could Haunt '16 Bid</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/22/perrys-embrace-tax-subsidies-could-haunt-16-race/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/20/Perry-MakeItTexas_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rick Perry in 1991 at Uncle Ben's rice offices in Houston to promote his Make It Texas initiative. The program was designed to promote the agricultural processing industry with loan guarantees, but a high failure rate sank the program and triggered a $14.7 million bailout in 2009."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/20/Perry-MakeItTexas_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rick Perry in 1991 at Uncle Ben's rice offices in Houston to promote his Make It Texas initiative. The program was designed to promote the agricultural processing industry with loan guarantees, but a high failure rate sank the program and triggered a $14.7 million bailout in 2009." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Texas State Library and Archives Commission</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rick Perry in 1991 at Uncle Ben's rice offices in Houston to promote his Make It Texas initiative. The program was designed to promote the agricultural processing industry with loan guarantees, but a high failure rate sank the program and triggered a $14.7 million bailout in 2009.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 22 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-22 06:00"> Feb. 22, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/22/perrys-embrace-tax-subsidies-could-haunt-16-race/comments/"><span class="value">34</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Former Texas Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> has been promoting tax subsidies for private businesses since the early 1990s. But the programs have rarely lived up to their promise, and a series of damning audits could hurt his expected 2016 presidential run.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/22/perrys-embrace-tax-subsidies-could-haunt-16-race/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/abbott-changes-tune-gun-laws/">Abbott's Tune Has Changed on Gun Laws</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/abbott-changes-tune-gun-laws/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4051CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4051CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Feb 2015 18:22:31 -0600" title="2015-02-18 18:22"> Feb. 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/abbott-changes-tune-gun-laws/comments/"><span class="value">83</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>On the campaign trail, Republican </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> argued for expanded gun rights — with certain limits. But now that he's been elected governor, the nuance he initially proposed appears to be gone. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/18/abbott-changes-tune-gun-laws/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-lists-5-emergency-items-session/">In State of the State, Abbott Proposes Sweeping Agenda</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-lists-5-emergency-items-session/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4260CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott announces five emergency items for Texas legislators to consider during his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4260CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott announces five emergency items for Texas legislators to consider during his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott announces five emergency items for Texas legislators to consider during his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:17:40 -0600" title="2015-02-17 12:17"> Feb. 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-lists-5-emergency-items-session/comments/"><span class="value">25</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><strong>UPDATED: </strong>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>, delivering his first major policy address to the Texas Legislature, laid out an ambitious agenda, including an expansion of pre-kindergarten, massive tax cuts and roads as far as the traffic-glazed eye can see.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-lists-5-emergency-items-session/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-expected-renew-push-ethics-reform/">Abbott Expected to Renew Push for Ethics Reform</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-expected-renew-push-ethics-reform/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7957Abbott_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7957Abbott_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Greg Abbott is shown visiting the Senate chamber on Jan. 13, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 17 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-17 06:00"> Feb. 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-expected-renew-push-ethics-reform/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Advocates for ethics reform say Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> has a rare chance to help spearhead improved lawmaker disclosures and reduce conflicts of interest. Abbott is expected to address ethics reform Tuesday in his State of the State address.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/17/abbott-expected-renew-push-ethics-reform/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/16/watson-pushes-more-disclosure-wining-and-dining/">Watson Wants More Disclosure of Wining and Dining</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/16/watson-pushes-more-disclosure-wining-and-dining/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/SenateDebate118WatsonCMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, debates changes that would affect the so-called "two-thirds rule" in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/SenateDebate118WatsonCMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, debates changes that would affect the so-called "two-thirds rule" in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, debates changes that would affect the so-called "two-thirds rule" in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:38:05 -0600" title="2015-02-16 17:38"> Feb. 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/16/watson-pushes-more-disclosure-wining-and-dining/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Sen. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/kirk-watson/">Kirk Watson</a><span> has filed three bills that would close a gaping loophole in state ethics law — one that allows lobbyists to avoid naming names when they fill out their mandatory spending and entertainment reports. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/16/watson-pushes-more-disclosure-wining-and-dining/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/ethics-bill-would-shed-light-contracts/">Ethics Bill Would Shed Light on Contracts</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/ethics-bill-would-shed-light-contracts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/14/_01F7629_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Giovanni Capriglione R-Soutlake waits to testify during a March 14th House Homeland Security & Public Safety committee hearing."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/14/_01F7629_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Giovanni Capriglione R-Soutlake waits to testify during a March 14th House Homeland Security & Public Safety committee hearing." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Giovanni Capriglione R-Soutlake waits to testify during a March 14th House Homeland Security & Public Safety committee hearing.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:56:31 -0600" title="2015-02-10 17:56"> Feb. 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/ethics-bill-would-shed-light-contracts/comments/"><span class="value">18</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>State Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/giovanni-capriglione/">Giovanni Capriglione</a>, a leading advocate of ethics reform in the notoriously unrestrained Texas Legislature, filed legislation Tuesday designed to shed more light on lawmakers who make money off of government contracts.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/ethics-bill-would-shed-light-contracts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/06/abbott-signals-break-perry-era/">Abbott Signals Break From Perry Era</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/06/abbott-signals-break-perry-era/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/_S3R8601CMS_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Rick Perry and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott shake hands after reviewing Matthew 20:25-28 in the Gov. Pat Neff Bible on Jan. 19, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/19/_S3R8601CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Rick Perry and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott shake hands after reviewing Matthew 20:25-28 in the Gov. Pat Neff Bible on Jan. 19, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Rick Perry and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott shake hands after reviewing Matthew 20:25-28 in the Gov. Pat Neff Bible on Jan. 19, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 6 Feb 2015 15:00:51 -0600" title="2015-02-06 15:00"> Feb. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/06/abbott-signals-break-perry-era/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Taken together, Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>’s actions in the early days of his gubernatorial administration seem to belie the notion — circulated by opponents during the 2014 campaign — that he would be <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150317225030/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> 2.0.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150317225030/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/06/abbott-signals-break-perry-era/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=37#contributions" class="page">37</a></li><li><a href="?page=38#contributions" class="page">38</a></li><li><a href="?page=39#contributions" class="page">39</a></li><li><a href="?page=40#contributions" class="page">40</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </div> </section> </div> <div class=" rail cell w-4 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