Ross Ramsey

Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.

Latest Contributions

Analysis: It Can Be a Fuzzy Line Between Government and Politics

By Ross Ramsey Dec. 2, 2015

Voters used to be more sensitive to even a hint that taxpayer money might be used for political purposes: Even when it’s not criminal, it’s sleazy. Full Story

Credit: Gage Skidmore
Analysis: A Different Kind of Holiday Prep

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 30, 2015

While you’re making your way through your holiday logistics, the state’s political people are swinging into high gear, with just three months left before voters decide the fates of their candidates. Full Story

Credit: Stephen Spillman
Analysis: The Final Punishment is Up to Texas Voters

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 25, 2015

It’s odd that one officeholder could be convicted, exonerated, re-indicted, convicted and sentenced without completely endangering his political career while another could get knocked out of contention while blaming an indictment. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht
Analysis: Keeping Voters Happy Now — and Later

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 23, 2015

The terrorists attacked at a time when American political races are underway and people whose fates rise and fall with public sentiment look for ways to get some favorable attention. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
State Rep. Reynolds Guilty of Ambulance-Chasing

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 21, 2015

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, convicted of five counts of illegal solicitation of legal clients last week, was sentenced Monday to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, but plans to appeal the verdict and will seek reelection in 2016.. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Analysis: For Public Officials, the Blame Comes With the Fame

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 20, 2015

Somebody in public life does something stupid, or just controversial. Do you blame a staffer — a little person down in the basement — or do blame the officeholder who hired them? It really doesn't matter. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Analysis: A Judicious Swipe at Pensions for State Lawmakers

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 19, 2015

Between now and the next legislative session, Texas lawmakers will be tinkering with an obscure formula that links their own state pensions to the salaries of state judges. Full Story
Analysis: Chasing the News Headlines, for Better and for Worse

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 18, 2015

Greg Abbott and two dozen other governors have latched onto the headlines — and a fair amount of public support — with their words against resettling Syrian refugees in Texas. It's a popular position — for now. Full Story

Credit: Shelby Knowles
UT/TT Poll: Texans Say Immigration, Terror Are Greatest Threats to U.S.

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 17, 2015

Before last week’s terrorist attacks in Beirut and Paris, Texas voters had illegal immigration and foreign terrorist groups at the top of their list of greatest threats to the U.S., according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht
Analysis: A Test of the Two GOPs in Texas

By Ross Ramsey Nov. 16, 2015

The Republican Party has two factions: Plain old Republicans and the roughly 43 percent who say they would vote for the Tea Party's candidates if that was a separate designation. They'll be testing each other in the GOP primary in March. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera