A recent EPA decision will allow Texas to regulate water discharges from oil drilling operations. Some lawmakers see a future water supply for the state in the decision, while environmental groups — and some scientists — warn it could be risky.
86th Legislative Session
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Politics
Despite committee’s recommendation, ending Texas’ partisan judicial elections looks unlikely
Several Texas lawmakers said they would not vote to end the system of partisan judicial elections, which critics say allows for the appearance of impropriety if not bias itself.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns.
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TribCast
TribCast: Vaccine news a bright spot as coronavirus cases surge in Texas
In this week’s edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Ross, Edgar and Patrick about the challenges of vaccine distribution in rural Texas, the latest in the allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the controversial new head of the state GOP.
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TribCast
TribCast: What a bad night for Texas Democrats means for the future
In this week’s episode, Matthew talks to Ross, Abby and Patrick about Democrats falling short of their goals for Texas and the latest on the race for state House speaker.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas officials want to cut funding for women’s health services while preserving an anti-abortion program
An August budget document shows funding for the anti-abortion program would be maintained, but reduced for doctors and clinics that provide reduced-cost contraception and health screenings.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas biotech facility in College Station tapped to mass-produce potential COVID-19 vaccine
The Texas A&M University System Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing has a federal contract to mass-manufacture doses of a candidate COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Novavax.
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Criminal Justice
Jerry McGinty to head troubled Legislative Budget Board
McGinty, the CFO of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, will lead an embattled agency of nonpartisan budget analysts who have been without an executive director since October 2018.
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State Government
Speaking statistically, this GOP donor wants to convince you that money buys justice in Texas
After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he wants to change the system.
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Politics
Advocates have long tried to change judicial selection in Texas. Is Dan Patrick their newest obstacle?
A new commission had barely begun to study Texas’ partisan judicial election system when the leader of the Texas Senate signaled skepticism of reform.