The issues getting attention from Gov. Greg Abbott are doing double-duty: They’re attractive to Republican voters in Texas — and beyond.
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.
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Politics
Analysis: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott feels the heat
The governor wants to talk about the border. But it’s hot, and recent history has Texans worried about electricity as temperatures climb and regulators call for conservation.
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State Government
Analysis: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott heads for the border
The Texas Legislature has left Austin, and Gov. Greg Abbott has turned his attentions to the state’s border with Mexico, where the policy issues are difficult and the politics are rewarding.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Analysis: Ken Paxton’s attractive troubles
The 2022 political season is just starting, but there are already three Republicans with statewide experience running for attorney general — including the incumbent.
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Winter Storm 2021
Analysis: The Texas electric grid and the improvements that didn’t come
Texas lawmakers passed major bills in response to the winter storm power outages that killed hundreds of Texans in February. But there’s still a lot to do.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Regulating dangerous practices in the Texas Legislature
Lawmakers consider some things so safe that regulations can be loosened, while other matters get a tighter regulatory scheme. Consider guns and voting.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: An end to a weird legislative session, and the beginning of an uncertain political cycle
A session transformed by COVID-19 protocols is giving way to a political cycle already disrupted by the pandemic’s effects on state government.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: A conservative Texas legislative session, with more — maybe — to come
Some conservative lawmakers are worried right now about bills falling to end-of-session deadlines, but several top Republican priorities have either crossed the finish line or are very close.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Texas lawmakers might get a second life for dying bills
As the end of the regular session approaches, Texas lawmakers — and some of their bills — are running out of time. But there’s a special session coming later this year, and maybe — just maybe — another chance for dead legislation.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Analysis: Greg Abbott wants Texas to be normal again
The governor is turning the dial to “normal,” in more ways than one, dissolving pandemic restrictions and minding issues of interest to Republican primary voters.
