Elections in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta: Neuquén 2015

Under Argentina’s federal constitution and jurisprudence, the provincial governments play a prominent role in the development and management of the country’s substantial energy resources. As a result, the outcomes of local elections in Argentine provinces with large oil and natural gas reserves are consequential for energy and energy service companies, with no provincial election more important than yesterday’s in the province of Neuquén, where the rich Vaca Muerta formation is located. Continue Reading

Texans are young and diverse. GOP primary voters are not.

Who participates in the Republican primary and comprises the 5.5 percent with whom Rep. Villalba is at odds on many issues? Data compiled by Labels & Lists based on voter files and other ancillary data provide us with a partial window on these influential voters who play a Texas-sized role in determining the direction of politics and public policy in the Lone Star State.
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Marijuana won’t be legal in Texas anytime soon

The recent success of marijuana legalization efforts in Colorado and Washington, combined with opinion polls showing significant public support for legalizing marijuana in Texas, has generated optimism among some marijuana consumers that soon they may not have to risk arrest and prosecution to get high in the Lone Star State. This optimism is, however, misplaced. There is no way that Texas is going to follow the lead of Colorado and Washington and legalize the sale and consumption of marijuana anytime soon. Continue Reading