The Republican race for Texas Railroad Commission is chugging toward a runoff between Rosenberg rancher and real estate mogul Gary Gates and former state Rep. Wayne Christian.
Economy
Get the latest on jobs, business, growth, and policy shaping the state’s economy with in-depth reporting from The Texas Tribune.
UT/TT Poll: Texans Favor Background Checks on All Gun Sales
Texas voters overwhelmingly support mental and criminal background checks on all gun purchases in the U.S. — including gun shows and private sales, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
In Major Water Case, Win for Ranchers is Loss For Cities
The Texas Supreme Court has handed a victory to farmers, ranchers and other longstanding water rights holders by declining to take up a Brazos River case with widespread implications for future water battles.
No State Help for Crystal City Council Meltdown
After most of its elected officials were arrested, questions swirled about whether — and how — Crystal City’s government can function in the coming months. This much is clear, experts agree: The city must wade through the mess largely on its own.
Texas Regulators Eye Deceptive Electricity Pricing
Texas regulators say they’re ready to crack down on power companies that try to rope consumers into buying electricity plans that are pricier than they appear.
Texas Regulators Uncertain on Hunt Deal
With a deadline for action looming, Texas regulators are struggling to make up their minds about the finer points of the Ray L. Hunt family’s $18 billion proposal to buy and reshape Oncor, the state’s biggest electric utility.
In Reeling Crystal City, Distrust Regarding City Hall Gives Way to Action
Distrust of city government has brewed in Crystal City for years. Now, many see cynicism giving way to engagement, with hope that a rock-bottom moment in city government will help turn anger into activism.
With Clean Power Plan Ruling, Texas Dodges Climate Action
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan has helped state Republicans — at least temporarily — dodge major action on climate change.
Hunt’s Controversial Oncor Plan Could Spark Texas-Wide Trend
As Texas regulators weigh the Ray L. Hunt family’s plan to buy Oncor, the state’s largest electric utility, and reorganize its corporate structure to save on taxes, at least one other giant utility is considering a similar move.
Oncor: Hunt’s Possible Merger Could Boost Rates
Oncor, the state’s largest utility, is warning state regulators that electric rates could increase for millions of Texas customers if they approve a complex reorganization plan offered by the Ray L. Hunt family.



