Dave Mann

Dave Mann has been with the Observer since 2003. Before that, he worked as a reporter in Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. He was born and raised in Philadelphia. He thinks border collies are the world’s greatest dogs, and believes in the nourishing powers of pickup basketball.

State of Texas: The Road to 500 ExecutionsMay 17, 2013
Texas will soon execute its 500th person since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Full Story
State of Texas: Who Pays How Much In TaxesApr 18, 2013
Texas' tax system is one of the most regressive in the country, meaning it falls especially hard on the poor. Full Story
Oops: The Top 10 Perry GaffesFeb 02, 2012
Full Story

Hot List: Day 7 of the LegislatureJan 14, 2013
The Lead: Lawmakers return to Austin today after a long weekend. The Lege is off to its usual slow start. Hell, the Senate met [...] Full Story
Hot List: Day 3 of the LegislatureJan 10, 2013
The Lead: Should be a quiet day at the Capitol. The Senate has adjourned till Monday. The House plans to convene at 10 a.m., [...] Full Story
Hot List: Day 2 of the LegislatureJan 09, 2013
The Lead And now the real work begins. The 83rd Legislature was all pomp and ceremony on its opening day. Today lawmakers begin getting [...] Full Story
‘Campbell’s Calvary,’ Secessionists and Other True Believers Pack the Capitol HallwaysJan 08, 2013
It was a wet day in Austin, and the various rallies planned outside—for Latino needs, for Texas secession—were crunched inside. A particularly motley bunch of activists, lookey-loos, road-weary elected officials and well-tanned lobbyists passed each other in the hallways of the Capitol, often at as polite a distance as space would allow. Full Story
Perry’s Wish List: Spending Cap, Tax Relief, Fetal Pain BillJan 08, 2013
Rick Perry was defiant as ever this afternoon at the Capitol. The governor sketched out his priorities for the legislative session in a brief [...] Full Story

State of Texas: The Road to 500 ExecutionsMay 17, 2013
Texas will soon execute its 500th person since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Full Story
State of Texas: Who Pays How Much In TaxesApr 18, 2013
Texas' tax system is one of the most regressive in the country, meaning it falls especially hard on the poor. Full Story
The Arson Files: After Serving 25 Years, Ed Graf May Finally Receive New TrialJan 17, 2013
Ed Graf had waited 25 years for a chance to prove his innocence, and late last week, he finally got it. Full Story
If It Were Up To Us…Jan 06, 2013
We detail a dozen items that deal with the biggest problems in the state. Some of them are liberal fantasies (ahem, income tax) but others are sound public policy ideas that Texans of all ideologies support because they would improve the lives of millions of people. Full Story
Five Reasons Rick Perry Shouldn’t Run for President AgainDec 04, 2012
You have to admire Rick Perry's resilience. After enduring what some political pundits call the worst presidential campaign ever, most people wouldn't want to try again. Full Story