Analysis: A Bombastic Posting, But Will There Be Aftershocks?
Texas Agriculture Sid Miller grabbed the headlines again this week — and in a way that makes him easy prey for late-night comics. But will it hurt him? Full Story
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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.
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![Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and wife Debra at the Texas Republican Convention on June 7, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Judge Orders New Trial on One of Mauricio Celis' Convictions
Celis, who gained prominence through his backing of Democratic candidates a few years back, was hurt by bad legal representation on accusations that he impersonated a police officer, the judge ruled. Full Story
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Analysis: You Can't Win Votes Without Winning Voters' Attention
Donald Trump is putting on a clinic on how to entertain and hold the attention of lots of voters. Don't discount the value of that — it's a vital first step to winning elective office, as several Texas candidates have shown. Full Story
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Analysis: Public Education Funding With a Judicial Assist
The Texas Supreme Court is about to hear the latest challenge to the state's financing of public schools. Maybe they'll throw it out, but history says otherwise: This almost always means changes in school policy and increases in taxes. Full Story
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Analysis: Democracy, Millionaires and Billionaires
One definition of an ideal democracy is that money doesn’t really count for much, that all citizens get a fair look at all of the candidates and that everybody who can vote gets to vote. The winner takes office. Our version isn't ideal. Full Story
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![Rick Perry speaks at a question-and-answer forum in Taylors, S.C., on May 8, 2015.]()
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Analysis: More Money, More Democracy
His campaign is out of money, but former Gov. Rick Perry doesn't have to drop his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Campaign finance laws don't work that way anymore. Full Story
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![Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry acknowledge cheers in the House chamber on their final appearance to the Texas Legislature on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
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Analysis: A Contest That's Not on the Ballot
Less than a year after he first took office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending himself against felony charges while a quiet procession of candidates comes under unofficial consideration to succeed him. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton, surrounded by family, takes the oath of office in the Senate chamber on January 5, 2015.]()
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Analysis: Paxton's Supporters Protecting an Investment
Some of the supporters who jumped fastest to defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are also those who invested the most in his campaign for office. They're protecting a substantial political investment. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the grand opening of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's new Austin building on April 21, 2015.]()
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Capitol Car Fire Investigated as Intentional
Officials suspect the fire was set by someone whom they ran out of the building earlier in the day after the individual was seen poking around the speaker's offices and apartment. Full Story
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![A car on fire in the east-side parking along the southern promenade of the Texas Capitol on August 7, 2015.]()
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Analysis: Blame, Reputation and the Long Road Back
The political blaming started quickly after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's indictments on Monday, and the elections will see some argument over who's shooting at the AG. But it will take more than politics to save his reputation. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke on June 22, 2105, at an event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation discussing the impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
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