Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session
Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. Full Story
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![Texas Rep. Gene Wu looks on during a press conference in opposition to Senate Bill 147 outside of City Hall on January 23, 2023, in downtown Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats think they can flip Texas House seats by going after GOP’s education funding and school voucher policies
Much of the House battlefield is centered in districts with struggling schools, where Democrats hope public education will resonate at the ballot box. Full Story
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![Third grade teacher Eran McGowan watches students demonstrate their answers to the class at the Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Dallas, Texas on Feb. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats try to unify against GOP “extremism” as their own challenges and strife persist
The party faces internal tension over the Israel-Hamas war and Biden’s new immigration policy heading into November. Full Story
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![The first day of the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 6, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Trump congratulates Paxton on “Texas sized” impeachment victory
“This was the right outcome,” U.S. Ted Cruz said, while Gov. Greg Abbott said he looked forward to continuing to work with the attorney general. Full Story
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![Supporters cheer as former president Donald Trump steps off the plane to the podium at his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Mar. 25, 2023.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
In dramatic vote, Texas House approves online sports betting measure
A resolution to let voters decide whether to legalize casino gambling, however, was delayed for a day while supporters worked to find enough support for passage. Full Story
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![A gambler stacks chips at a roulette table during the reopening of Bellagio hotel-casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
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Here’s what you need to know about the fight over property tax cuts in the Texas Legislature
Republicans are wrestling over how much of the state’s nearly $33 billion budget surplus to spend on property taxes. Democrats have their own ideas about what to do with the cash. Full Story
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![An Aerial image of a suburban neighborhood in San Marcos on October 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislative session begins today. Here are 6 things we’re watching.
Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues. Full Story
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![A legislator fist bumps a House Administration staffer as they entered the House Chamber on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democrats enter session with bipartisan hopes — and a new leader who’s prepared to fight
There are 64 Democrats in the 150-member House, one fewer than before the election. There is also one fewer Democrat in the Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, speaks at a press conference in reaction to a property tax reform proposal by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. The trio laid out their proposal earlier in the day. Jan. 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democratic Caucus elects Trey Martinez Fischer as its new chair
Martinez Fischer replaces Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who has led the caucus since 2017 and did not seek reelection. Full Story
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![State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Austin after Democrats broke quorum in opposition to Senate Bill 7, a sweeping GOP voting bill. May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races
The fast-growing region likely will see a considerable number of new state and federal lawmakers after the 2022 election. And in many cases, they will be representing districts whose boundaries have significantly shifted. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
Sweeping legislation takes aim at shock emergency room bills in Texas
Committee chairs from both chambers unveiled the proposal on Thursday. Full Story
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![A trauma crash room at the Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas. The driver responsibility program funds most of trauma care in Texas.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
In the House, the property tax bill is being handled with a different speed — and tone
State Rep. Dustin Burrows, author of the House bill, said the House Ways and Means Committee is "not just trying to get something across the finish line as quick as we can." Full Story
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![Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means listen to testimony on HB 2 on Feb. 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Candidates to replace Joe Straus aren’t the only power-seekers in the House
The race to replace Speaker Joe Straus is the talk of the Texas House, but it's just the most visible part of a power shift that affects every state representative's standing. Full Story
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![San Antonio Democratic Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, center, confronts State Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, with a Point of Order on HB 910 that delayed the open carry gun bill on April 14, 2015.]()
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Texas House Democrats welcome former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer's return
Former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer's history in the Capitol and facility with legislative rules make him a strong player on a political team that's vastly outnumbered in the Republican-controlled lower chamber, some of his former colleagues say. Full Story
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![Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, is interviewed by Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on Feb. 4, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
In San Antonio race, a Texas House firebrand guns for the incumbent in his old seat
A veteran Democratic lawmaker known as a brash tactician, Trey Martinez Fischer is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Diana Arevalo for the House District 116 seat he used to hold. Full Story
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![Trey Martinez Fischer and state Rep. Diana Arévalo, D-San Antonio.]()
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17 Democratic lawmakers back Martinez Fischer's comeback bid to unseat Arévalo in Texas House
Former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer is being endorsed by 17 sitting lawmakers in his campaign to return to the Texas House — and to unseat Rep. Diana Arévalo, a fellow San Antonio Democrat. Full Story
![Trey Martinez Fischer and state Rep. Diana Arévalo, D-San Antonio.]()
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Martinez Fischer to seek return to House, setting up primary against Arévalo
Former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer announced Saturday that he is running for his old House seat, setting up a primary battle with fellow San Antonio Democrat Diana Arévalo. Full Story
![Trey Martinez Fischer and state Rep. Diana Arévalo, D-San Antonio.]()
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Martinez Fischer, Menéndez Meet Again
On major issues there's little daylight between San Antonio Democrats Trey Martinez Fischer and José Menéndez, but their rematch for a Texas Senate seat couldn't produce a greater divergence of styles. Full Story
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![State. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (l) and state Sen. José Menéndez]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Video: A Conversation with José Menéndez
Full video of my 2/11 conversation with state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, who is running for reelection to his District 26 seat. Full Story
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Analysis: Is a Move From the Texas House to the Senate a Clear Promotion?
Moving from the Texas House to the Texas Senate makes sense, but not for every politician: One current candidate for Senate — and a potential future one — each has more clout in the House than he or she would have in the Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio.]()