Latest Contributions

• Donald Trump endorses Gov. Greg Abbott for reelection

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: June 1, 2021

  The endorsement comes as Abbott faces a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas and as other fellow Republicans eye the race. Full Story 

• Republicans say they’ll tweak part of Texas elections bill criticized for impact on Black churchgoers

  by Patrick Svitek June 1, 2021

  The provision deals with the window for early voting on Sundays, and the current version of the bill raised concerns that it would hinder get-out-the-vote efforts by Black churches. Full Story 

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vows to defund state Legislature after voting restrictions bill fails, threatening salaries

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 31, 2021

  “No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,” Abbott tweeted Monday. Full Story 

• Democrats’ defeat of Texas voting bill adds an asterisk to Republicans’ “most conservative” legislative session

  by Patrick Svitek and James Barragán Updated: May 31, 2021

  Republicans were assigning blame after the measure’s dramatic failure Sunday night, but were also already looking ahead to a special session. Full Story 

• Leadership tensions, potential special session loom as Texas legislative session hits uncertain end

  by Patrick Svitek and Cassandra Pollock May 27, 2021

  Tensions between the two chambers are peaking, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is putting pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session for unfinished business on conservative priorities Full Story 

• Donald Trump says he'll endorse in likely primary battle for Texas attorney general between Ken Paxton, George P. Bush

  by Patrick Svitek May 25, 2021

  The former president said in a statement Tuesday that he'll issue an endorsement "in the not-so-distant future." Full Story 

• Speaker Dade Phelan once criticized anti-LGBTQ efforts. Now he’s signaling support for a bill targeting transgender Texans.

  by James Barragán and Patrick Svitek May 25, 2021

  Democrats supported Phelan for House speaker, reassured he would avoid controversial social issues that target LGBTQ Texans. They say they’re disappointed he is now signaling support for bill targeting transgender student athletes. Full Story 

• Bill legalizing permitless carry of handguns in Texas on brink of passage after compromise reached

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 24, 2021

  The agreement advances the legislation even closer to becoming law. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign such a proposal. Full Story 

• Allocating $16 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be part of special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says

  by James Barragán and Patrick Svitek Updated: May 20, 2021

  Abbott already planned to call a special session later in the year for the Legislature to do its decennial redrawing of Texas political maps. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg. Abbott says no public schools or government entities will be allowed to require masks

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 22, 2021

  While 30% of Texans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the vast majority of children are unvaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine was authorized last week for children as young as 12. Full Story 

• George P. Bush wants to challenge beleaguered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. But can he keep Trump out of it?

  by Patrick Svitek May 17, 2021

  Bush has a unique history with Trump as the only prominent member of his famous political family to back the former president. Meanwhile, Paxton has tightly aligned himself with Trump in recent months. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott sets July 27 as date of special election runoff to succeed late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright

  by Patrick Svitek May 12, 2021

  The runoff pits Wright's widow, Susan Wright, against state Rep. Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie. Both are Republicans. Full Story 

• Push to bring casinos to Texas appears headed for defeat this session despite high-profile campaign

  by Patrick Svitek May 11, 2021

  A key deadline passed Monday without action in the Texas House on casino legislation backed by the gaming empire Las Vegas Sands. A measure to allow sports gambling looks similarly doomed. Full Story 

• Texas public schools couldn’t require critical race theory lessons under bill given House approval

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 11, 2021

  House Bill 3979 is part of a national effort by red-state legislatures to ban or limit the teaching of critical race theory. That academic discipline examines how racism has shaped legal and social systems within the United States. Full Story 

• Donald Trump endorses Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for reelection

  by Patrick Svitek May 10, 2021

  Patrick, who twice chaired Trump's campaign in Texas, is up for a third term in 2022. Full Story 

• Republican former state Sen. Don Huffines launches primary challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 10, 2021

  Huffines, who has criticized Abbott as being too slow to fully reopen the state, served in the Senate from 2015-19. Full Story 

• Top political aide to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller arrested in alleged scheme to take money in exchange for hemp licenses

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 9, 2021

  Todd M. Smith was arrested Thursday and released from Travis County Jail on Friday, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office. On Sunday, his attorneys said he did nothing wrong and is cooperating with police. Full Story 

• As hot-button issues dominate Texas legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott sends clear signals on some conservative priorities

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 7, 2021

  His approach differs somewhat from past sessions, when Abbott kept legislators in suspense on whether certain hot-button proposals would have his support. Full Story 

• Texas GOP gears up for contentious runoff in TX-6 congressional race as Democrats grapple with being shut out

  by Patrick Svitek May 5, 2021

  The runoff pits Susan Wright against fellow Republican Jake Ellzey after Democrats failed to advance a candidate in the Saturday special election. Full Story 

• Ken Paxton tells The New York Times he doesn't support Greg Abbott for reelection — then tweets that he does

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: May 4, 2021

  "I don't think he supports me; I don't support him," Paxton told The New York Times in a story published Tuesday. He later criticized the story as "fake news" and insisted he backed Abbott. Full Story