Latest Contributions

• The late Sheldon Adelson's gambling empire pushes forward with goal to bring casinos to Texas

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 26, 2021

  Las Vegas Sands has hired 51 lobbyists to push for the expansion of gambling in Texas. Full Story 

• “If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge

  by Cassandra Pollock, Patrick Svitek and Alex Samuels Jan. 25, 2021

  At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month. Full Story 

• Two Republicans headed to runoff for Northwest Texas House seat

  by Patrick Svitek and Emma Platoff Updated: Jan. 24, 2021

  David Spiller advances along with second-place finisher Craig Carter in the race to replace outgoing state Rep. Drew Springer, who was elected to the Texas Senate. Full Story 

• Top two staffers at Texas Democratic Party to step down

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 21, 2021

  The party's executive director, Manny Garcia, and deputy executive director, Cliff Walker, are leaving their posts at the end of the month. Their exits come two months after an election in which Texas Democrats underperformed expectations throughout the ballot. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning.

  by Patrick Svitek and Alex Samuels Jan. 19, 2021

  The president is leaving office Wednesday, but signs suggest his influence on the Texas GOP remains strong. Full Story 

• Dade Phelan raised $4.4 million as he ascended to Texas House speakership

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Jan. 16, 2021

  The Beaumont Republican saw a flood of campaign cash in the weeks before he was elected speaker on Tuesday. Full Story 

• Texas legislative session begins with heavy security presence following U.S. Capitol riot

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 12, 2021

  Lawmakers gathered for the start of the 140-day session Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to rage in Texas. Full Story 

• The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.

  by Alex Samuels, Cassandra Pollock and Patrick Svitek Jan. 11, 2021

  Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story 

• Texas announces sites for next COVID-19 vaccine shipment

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 10, 2021

  State health officials said Sunday that 28 hubs will be getting 158,825 doses this week. Full Story 

• GOP megadonor couple from Hill Country launch PAC for 2022 Texas elections

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 8, 2021

  The couple, Michael and Mary Porter, have emerged as some of the top donors to Texas Republicans over the last few years, and now they are getting even more serious about their political activities. Full Story 

• After riot at the U.S. Capitol, Ted Cruz gets fierce blowback for his role in sowing doubts about Joe Biden’s victory

  by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek Jan. 7, 2021

  Wednesday’s chaos led to calls for Cruz’s resignation from Texas Democrats. But Cruz says he “ain’t going anywhere.” Full Story 

• Texas politicians united in pleading for calm as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol

  by Patrick Svitek and Alex Samuels Updated: Jan. 6, 2021

  The chaos began shortly after some GOP lawmakers, led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, launched a dispute to the certification of Arizona’s electoral votes. Full Story 

• John Cornyn says he won't join growing number of Texas Republicans planning to object to certification of Joe Biden's win

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Jan. 5, 2021

  The state's senior senator said Tuesday he will not object to certifying President Donald Trump's reelection defeat "based on unproven allegations." Full Story 

• 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat file to succeed Drew Springer in Jan. 23 Texas House special election

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 4, 2021

  Springer, a Muenster Republican, is on his way to the Texas Senate. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott sets Jan. 23 special election to fill Drew Springer's Texas House seat

  by Patrick Svitek Dec. 28, 2020

  Springer is joining the state Senate after a hard-fought special election runoff earlier this month. Full Story 

• Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress

  by Patrick Svitek and Cassandra Pollock Dec. 23, 2020

  The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott receives COVID-19 vaccine, saying he wants to serve as an example to Texans

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Dec. 22, 2020

  "I will never ask a Texan to do something I'm not willing to do myself," Abbott said moments before getting vaccinated at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott to receive COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 22

  by Patrick Svitek Dec. 21, 2020

  Abbott has stressed that the vaccine will not be required for Texans, and on Monday, he specifically said it will not be mandatory for the state's school children. Full Story 

• State Rep. Drew Springer trumps Shelley Luther in Texas Senate runoff

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Dec. 20, 2020

  The Muenster Republican prevailed over the Dallas salon owner who made headlines for refusing to shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story 

• Harris County elections were fair and secure, task force finds

  by Patrick Svitek Dec. 18, 2020

  The Election Security Task Force for Harris County said in a report released Friday that it "found no proof of any election tampering, ballot harvesting, voter suppression, intimidation or any other type of foul play that might have impacted the legitimate cast or count of a ballot." Full Story