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Patrick Svitek was the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick covered elections, state leaders, the Legislature and political trends across the state from 2015 until 2024. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. Patrick graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
After the House passed a measure last week that would allow permitless carry of handguns, the Senate is feeling the heat to take up the cause. Full Story
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A national group is spending six figures to try to stop Ellzey ahead of the May 1 election, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz came out against him on Tuesday. Full Story
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"I plan to meet with law enforcement who oppose permitless carry and with the [National Rifle Association] and [Gun Owners of America] who support it to see if we can find a path that a majority of senators will vote to pass,” Patrick said. Full Story
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Thursday's vote in favor of the bill showed there was a bipartisan appeal for a cause long championed by conservative activists. Now all eyes are on the Senate. Full Story
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The TV and radio ads, which are set to start airing Thursday, make the case that Texas is forfeiting "billions" in tourism dollars to nearby states that allow casinos. Full Story
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Dewhurst ran against Ted Cruz for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and was ousted from his No. 2 spot in Texas government by Dan Patrick. Full Story
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Daily new cases and the positivity rate have leveled off over the past month, while deaths and hospitalization have gone down substantially. Full Story
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The former Republican governor is throwing his weight behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, that would order a clinical study of using psilocybin — found in "magic mushrooms" — to help veterans with mental health problems. Full Story
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Bush said the state's top law enforcement official "needs to be above reproach." Full Story
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The smaller battlefield — at least initially — comes after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted 10 seats last election cycle in Texas and flipped none of them. Full Story
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