Texas has long been hard on the weak and vulnerable. It fares badly in national surveys of child poverty, food assistance and care for the mentally ill and disabled. But it isn't only the poor and afflicted who need help; everyone relies on state government for some protection. Not everyone receives it. Business interests and lobbyists exert strong influence on the writing of laws and the workings of state government. Who benefits from that? Frequently, not ordinary Texans.
Part 1 Privatizing state programs for the poor, disabled and elderly was supposed to be more efficient and cost-effective. But as the number of complaints grow, private companies, lobbyists and former state officials profit.
Critics: Evercare more like 'nevercare'
Social worker often hit a brick wall
Problems abound under Evercare
Physician-lawmaker knows doctors' struggles
Red tape snares Greenville woman
Even 'success stories' don't always end well
Outsourcing enriches firms, ex-legislators
Ex-lawmakers profit from Capitol floor time
Ethics Commission strained to police lobbyists
Database: Track lobbyists' activity since 2001
Web of Influence: This interactive graphic connects the dots of power and influence in Austin, illustrating some of the relationships among current and former government officials, lobbyists and the corporate interests they represent.
Part 2 Influential health-care corporations wanted to limit public access to information about abuses and deficiencies in hospitals. Lobbyists and some Texas legislators were happy to oblige.
Texas law lets hospitals hide problems
Agencies' inspection reports differ widely
Part 3 (Coming Jan. 18-19) When heavy industry goes up against public interest before the state's environmental agency, political influence gives one side an edge.
Part 4 (Coming Jan. 25) Five years after sweeping reforms were supposed to help, Texans still pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country for reduced coverage.
Source:
Investigations: State of Neglect
Credits
Reporters: Gregg Jones, Doug J. Swanson, Randy Lee Loftis, Jennifer LaFleur, Ryan McNeill, Ed Timms
Photos, video: Melanie Burford
Data analysis: Ryan McNeill, Jennifer LaFleur
Research: Molly Motley Blythe
Graphics: Troy Oxford, Layne Smith
Copy editors: Ayan Mittra, Jamie Knodel
Photo editors: Brad Loper, Chris Wilkins
Project editors: Maud Beelman, Doug J. Swanson, Ed Timms
Part 1 Privatizing state programs for the poor, disabled and elderly was supposed to be more efficient and cost-effective. But as the number of complaints grow, private companies, lobbyists and former state officials profit.
Critics: Evercare more like 'nevercare'
Social worker often hit a brick wall
Problems abound under Evercare
Physician-lawmaker knows doctors' struggles
Red tape snares Greenville woman
Even 'success stories' don't always end well
Outsourcing enriches firms, ex-legislators
Ex-lawmakers profit from Capitol floor time
Ethics Commission strained to police lobbyists
Database: Track lobbyists' activity since 2001
Web of Influence: This interactive graphic connects the dots of power and influence in Austin, illustrating some of the relationships among current and former government officials, lobbyists and the corporate interests they represent.
Part 2 Influential health-care corporations wanted to limit public access to information about abuses and deficiencies in hospitals. Lobbyists and some Texas legislators were happy to oblige.
Texas law lets hospitals hide problems
Agencies' inspection reports differ widely
Part 3 (Coming Jan. 18-19) When heavy industry goes up against public interest before the state's environmental agency, political influence gives one side an edge.
Part 4 (Coming Jan. 25) Five years after sweeping reforms were supposed to help, Texans still pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country for reduced coverage.
Source:
Investigations: State of Neglect
Credits
Reporters: Gregg Jones, Doug J. Swanson, Randy Lee Loftis, Jennifer LaFleur, Ryan McNeill, Ed Timms
Photos, video: Melanie Burford
Data analysis: Ryan McNeill, Jennifer LaFleur
Research: Molly Motley Blythe
Graphics: Troy Oxford, Layne Smith
Copy editors: Ayan Mittra, Jamie Knodel
Photo editors: Brad Loper, Chris Wilkins
Project editors: Maud Beelman, Doug J. Swanson, Ed Timms
3 comments:
This post is estraordinary, the most extensive post with information that is mind boggling and worth studying.
These public officials who have the trust of the people, the very well connected live the good life and profit while in office and continue to profit further when they go full force in the private sector.
And, we the "little" people, the lowly taxpayers pay their salaries while in office so they can make their connections so they can continue the good life and ensure their future income.
Thank you for this information.
A review of the sources posted clearly show that Texans should pack up and leave the state empty!
This posted information is as big as the state of Texas. That being said the smell of rotting and corruption is evident all the way to our Northern border.
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