Gov. Greg Abbott is officially getting rid of the state’s controversial “pick-a-pal” system, signing legislation reforming the selection of people who serve on grand juries in Texas.
Patrick Svitek
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.
Posted in
State Government
Abbott Vetoes Four Criminal Justice, Public Safety Bills
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed four criminal justice and public safety bills, bringing to eight the total number of vetoes he has issued in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Prosecutor: Grand Jury to Hear Paxton Case in July
A case against Attorney General Ken Paxton is heading to a grand jury next month, according to one of the special prosecutors investigating him.
Posted in
Politics
George P. Bush Steps Into Role as Dad’s Surrogate
Land Commissioner George P. Bush made his debut this week as a surrogate for his dad’s presidential campaign. The younger Bush hit the campaign trail in early-voting Nevada, making a pitch for his father in personal and political terms.
Posted in
Politics
Collier Joins Texas Democratic Party as Fundraiser
Mike Collier, a former candidate for comptroller, is taking a job with the Texas Democratic Party. He will serve as a finance co-chair for the party.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
Catch Up on Law & Order Issues From This Session
During the 84th legislative session, lawmakers passed open carry and campus carry legislation and voted to make cannabis oil available to epilepsy patients. Find more details on these and other law and order issues on the Texas Legislative Guide.
Posted in
Politics
5 Ways Jeb’s Campaign Runs Through Texas
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush enters the 2016 presidential race with perhaps more ties to Texas than any other candidates in the field besides the two who live here: former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Posted in
Politics
A San Antonio Wake-Up Call for Democrats
“At the end of the day, we needed 3,000 Democrats to get off their asses and go vote, and they didn’t,” observes one Democratic consultant, summing up why Ivy Taylor narrowly defeated Leticia Van de Putte in the San Antonio mayoral runoff.
Posted in
Politics
Eltife Not Running for Re-election in 2016
State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, has reportedly decided not to run for re-election in 2016, bringing to a close more than two decades in public service and setting off a potentially crowded GOP primary to replace him.
Posted in
Politics
Taylor Claims Win in San Antonio Mayoral Runoff
Declaring victory at her election night party, Interim Mayor Ivy Taylor asked supporters if they realized they had “defeated a political machine,” by edging out former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte in the San Antonio mayoral runoff.
