Republicans have controlled the Texas Senate since 1997, and the Senate Committee on Education has reflected that one party's vision of education in our state through budgeting and mandates for at least twelve years. With the end of the fall semester upon us and all our students receiving grades for their work in the classrooms, it seems appropriate to grade the Texas Legislature's performance, and by association the Texas Republican Party's performance, on education over the past twelve years. more ›

For the students (and their parents) at the University of Texas, tuition increases at a faster rate than at most other comparable public universities. In fact, the tuition for an in-state Liberal Arts major has increased 391.5% between 1970 and 2002. For an in-state graduate Law student, the increase has skyrocketed 1,059.9%. Even with flat-rate tuition prices for students, lack of caps on tuition increases allows for the price of a UT education to... more ›

It's getting pretty damn difficult to be a smoker these days. First the city kicks us out of our beloved bars to enjoy our filthy habit, now the state is grabbing into our back pocket without even the courtesy of a reach around. Self--righteous jerk-offs. As Bill Hicks once said, "I'd quit smokin if I didn't think I'd become one of them." The legislature finally passed bills to finance the state's schools. The legislation... more ›

The Texas cheerleading reform bill which was passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the State Senate on May 3rd is getting precisely the amount of time and consideration from the Education Committee that it deserves. more ›