/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/ramsey-ross_TT.jpg)
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.
The long-awaited recording of the meeting between the House speaker and a political operative is now out — and as turns out, Michael Quinn Sullivan's account was mostly on the nose. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74edd88ea1a4d3841dcc9858606f6bed/02%20SB2%20Abbott%20Wallys%20Burgers%20MG.jpg)
If Texas officials can raise $5.3 million for a party and other inaugural activities, and spend it all without showing their receipts to the rest of us, what could possibly be wrong with that? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c2c7cb5b0c910636ecfeab3000c5c286/17%20Oath%20of%20Office%20Ceremony%20MG.jpg)
Next week could see the public airing of a secret recording that has had the Texas Capitol twisted in drama for most of the summer. With that, members of the Texas House can decide whether their speaker, Dennis Bonnen, made a big mistake or a little one. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27fcc053245e8d01d7c45ab80b10b707/Bonnen%20Fallen%20Heroes%20ceremony%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Glenn Hegar told lawmakers they'll end the current budget with more money on hand than expected, and with a large balance in the state's rainy day fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1be413a26fc39ce55f25ec32fa826c92/Glenn_Hegar_Biennial_Revenue_Estimate_1_TT.jpg)
Lawmakers want voters to replace the current constitutional hurdle to a personal income tax in Texas with a marginally higher one. Think of it as insurance against something that isn't likely to happen anyway. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/235e41af3a9379c9f92ba7c5e1a14b5d/03_Capitol_Building_AP_TT.jpg)
Governments respond to problems as policymakers see them. And sometimes — homelessness appears to be a case — the solutions only address what's visible to politicians and their voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64014a3789c6fa116956e852f1f526d1/04%20Homeless%20Austin%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
There’s a lot going on here. And Texas, accustomed to sitting in the back of the room in presidential election years, is getting a lot of attention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c359cf8f15e8dd8ecb79886de358d6f3/Trump%20Pelosi%20TT.jpg)
If you're not satisfied with the lineups for races in the 2020 elections, rest easy: Candidates have two months to file, to change their minds, to change races and to see new opportunities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbd9e9462ae2777b1934c73771364538/2013-10-01T120000Z_1786476834_GM1E9A11QZF01_RTRMADP_3_USA-FISCAL-SHUTDOWN-SCENE.JPG)
It's impossible to say exactly what issue people will be talking about when they're ready to vote in next year's elections. But it's not too early to say those voters — friends or foes — will be talking about the president. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3224e9d464f1c5006fdb8fdbf365920e/Trump_rally_in_El_Paso_JR_TT.jpg)
A new state law limits the ability of local governments to raise property taxes without voter approval — but not yet. And some are rushing to get one last big increase. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ecb09a0f7ec0c13e845f652d170ba92/01_Abbott_Bonnen_Patrick_Property_Tax_Presser_MG.jpg)