Texas Matters

How Much Scrutiny Is Fair When Seeking To Be Tax Exempt?

David Martin Davies — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:56:19 +0000

A fact that is being overlooked as the IRS scandal plays out is that both conservative and progressive groups were required to answer additional questions. Two Texas groups talk about the extra questionnaire and why they feel they deserve to be tax free. Also on this show: In the last two years, 60 women's health clinics were forced to close, so why did the state have $2.3 million in unspent federal funds, which was available to keep clinics running?

President Obama Touches Down In Texas

David Martin Davies — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:24:08 +0000

Texas Matters: President Obama visited Austin on Thursday to promote his jobs and middle class growth strategy. Also on this show: Latino unemployment in Texas, the Boquillas border crossing opens in Big Bend and the last night to pass bills out of the Texas House.

Whose Job Is It To Oversee Plants Like The One In West, Texas?

David Martin Davies — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:53:58 +0000

Texas Matters: With the investigation into the West fertilizer plant explosion ongoing, the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee held a hearing to clarify who is responsible for reviewing these kinds of facilities. Also on this show: The chances that Ted Cruz makes a presidential run and the future of high-stakes testing in Texas.

President And Politicians Rally Community For West, Texas

David Martin Davies — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:26:27 +0000

Officials are still trying to pin down who is responsible for the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, but national and state politicians attended a tribute to urge a national sense of community. Also on this show: The Geroge W. Bush Library was dedicated this week, which is bringing up conversation about the meaning of the former president's legacy. As Texas continues to cope with drought conditions, residents who depend on rivers like the San Saba are battling agriculture interests for water rights. The U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on the cross-border Texas-Oklahoma water war.

Environmental Regulations And Their Role In Preventing Disasters

David Martin Davies — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:39:27 +0000

Texas Matters: A former environmental inspector talks about regulations and their role in industrial safety following the deadly explosion in West, Texas. Also on this show, an update on the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is hitting some speedbumps along the way.

The Confusing And Murky World Of Tax Loopholes In Texas

David Martin Davies — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:28:23 +0000

Texas Matters: Taxes are a touchy subject no matter what side you are on, but they exist to raise revenue so closing loopholes is one way to make sure everyone pays a fair share. Also on the show: A look at Tesla Motors effort to open up the Texas market, Texas school districts letting teachers with a CHL carry a gun on campus, and the Texas history behind John Ford's classic film, "The Searchers."

Kaufman County Killings Have State Officials Increasing Security

David Martin Davies — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:38:21 +0000

Family and friends of the Kaufman County district attorney and his wife who were killed last weekend are starting to move on following a public memorial service. Evidence of a motive is driving the investigation in the direction of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. Rick Perry is offering a reward for tips that lead to arrests in the case and says authorities should also look at drug cartels; one expert doesn't think that cartel involvement is likely. Finally, an update on the Texas Legislature's budget, which passed the house last night.

Sorting Out Truth And Fiction In The CSCOPE Controversy

David Martin Davies — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:11:17 +0000

Is CSCOPE an education resource designed to help struggling school districts? Or is it a vast anti-American conspiracy that uses Texas classrooms to convert children to Islam and communism?

CSCOPE is an online curriculum management resource developed by the Texas Education Service Center Curriculum Collaborative (TESCCC), a group made up of the 20 education service centers in the state. The group develops their curriculum framework through several sources.

Is The Battle Over Whooping Crane Conservation A Fight Over Water Rights?

David Martin Davies — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:50:16 +0000

Four major players square off in the fight to save whooping cranes; one side wants to save the birds, while the other side sees an invasion of state's rights. Water management is one of the large items on the table for this session of the Texas Legislature, the question then is: What is the best way to solve the problem?

Texas Matters: How Would Raising The Minimum Wage Affect Texas?

David Martin Davies — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:19:20 +0000

During his last State of the Union address, President Barack Obama proposed raising the national minimum wage to nine dollars an hour and permanently indexing it to the cost of living.

Supporters say it's a way to redistribute income from thriving corporations to workers. Others say it’s a surefire way to kill jobs.

With the most minimum wage workers in the union, Texas would be the state most impacted if the wage increase becomes law.