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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.
A top Democratic leader in the Texas House, in a letter Wednesday, accused staffers in House Speaker Joe Straus' office of leading discriminatory conduct that got the Texas redistricting maps thrown out. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of government and political insiders, we asked about the presidential race, how it plays in the next race for governor, the lieutenant governor's electoral status, and whether odds for school vouchers have improved. Full Story
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The state's top lawyer has filed a pile of lawsuits against the federal government. Two decisions last week — on redistricting maps and the state's voter ID law — went against Attorney General Greg Abbott and the state. Full Story
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A month after Republican voters rebuffed his U.S. Senate bid, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says he will seek re-election in 2014. His choices for empty spots on Senate committees will start to reveal any change in his political direction. Full Story
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A one-for-one swap of sales taxes for property taxes would raise the state sales tax to 17.85 percent from 6.25 percent, or enough to add almost $3,500 to the price of an average car. Full Story
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Texas is to presidential politics what parents are to college students — remote players whose money is critical but whose votes don’t really matter. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers didn’t comply with the Voting Rights Act when they drew new maps for congressional, state Senate and state House districts, a federal court in Washington, D.C., ruled Tuesday. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked about term limits, about the vulnerability of the state's top officials and about when the electoral drought plaguing Texas Democrats might end. Full Story
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has appointed Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, to chair the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee. He'll replace Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, who isn't seeking another term. Full Story
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Texas hasn't been a swing state in a national election for a long, long time, and unless they have big bank accounts, Texans aren't at the top of candidates' lists of people to see right now. Full Story
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