Guides

Benefits for Texas teachers have been a point of contention between educators and lawmakers for years — and often a hot topic at the Legislature. But where does Texas fall nationally when it comes to teacher pay, health care and retirement benefits? Full Story 

Labor groups are praising Democrat Laura Moser's campaign for its collective bargaining agreement. But some argue campaigns are too unpredictable to guarantee workers the benefits that come with unionizing. Full Story 

In most cases, it’s illegal to gamble or place a bet in the state. But there are some exceptions. Full Story 

Angela Paxton is the favorite to win a Texas Senate seat and have a vote on the state budget, which includes funding for her husband’s office. Legal experts and ethics lawyers weigh in on how such a situation is addressed in Texas law. Full Story 

If no candidate in a primary election receives a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters go head-to-head in a runoff. Here's everything you need to know about how they work and how to vote. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton are all heavy favorites to win their Republican primary races next week. Texas law allows them to give their campaign funds to other politicians in more precarious positions. Full Story 

Lack of interest, lack of money and lack of support can all contribute to a major party failing to put a candidate up for election in a given race — especially in heavily gerrymandered districts. Full Story 

The National Rifle Association contributed thousands of dollars to Texas politicians in recent years. But that's not nearly enough to make it one of the most prolific political donors in the state. Full Story 

Lawmakers say local property taxes are getting too high. School leaders say the taxes are increasing because the state is taking on a smaller share of public education funding. Hey Texplainer, what's really happening? Full Story 

How do I know if I’m registered to vote? What am I voting on? How do runoffs work? We've got answers to the basic questions about how to cast a ballot in the March 6 Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas. Full Story 

Participants in party conventions set rules, elect leaders and set the platform. Party leaders say getting involved is easy. Full Story 

We’ve compiled an overview of everything Texans should know about campaign finance reports and why they’re important. Full Story 

Texas liquor laws are infamously complex, and the reason dates back to the end of Prohibition. Full Story 

A shutdown is poised to take place unless Congress passes a new spending bill and President Donald Trump signs it into law by Jan. 19. That could mean closed parks, furloughed workers and the temporary closure of NASA in Texas. Full Story 

No, because the state has no warning system like Hawaii does. Full Story 

In the 2017 budget year, the oil production tax gave the state more than $2 billion in revenue, while the natural gas production tax brought in a little less than $1 billion. But where does this money go? Full Story 

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold announced he wasn’t running for re-election last month, days after the deadline to withdraw his name from the March 6 primary ballot. Yet his name was still omitted. How did that happen? Full Story 

The state Constitution outlines the duration of each legislative session and how much each lawmaker makes per year. Changing either would require a constitutional amendment. Full Story 

During the next two fiscal years, Texas is set to spend roughly $200 per child per month through the Children's Health Insurance Program. Full Story 

One of the reasons lawmakers keep putting changes to the state constitution before voters is because they haven’t taken the necessary steps to draft a new document for more than 140 years. Full Story