Politics

Following a bruising special session that ended a day earlier than expected, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus drew sharp criticism from some fellow Republicans as well as questions about his future as head of the lower chamber.

Full Story 

After generating a heated statewide debate earlier this year, the Texas bathroom bill died in the special legislative session with little drama or fanfare.

Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday put blame on the House — particularly Speaker Joe Straus — for the shortcomings of the special session and left the door open to calling another one.

Full Story 

Texas House Republicans will meet early Wednesday to discuss whether to require members of their caucus to choose a speaker candidate — then stand behind their pick when the vote goes to the full House in January 2019.

 

Full Story 

The spark that started the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday — unrest over Confederate monuments — has been reignited here in Texas. Here's a look at what cities are considering.  

Full Story 

The Texas Senate advanced a municipal annexation bill to Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, the fifth bill sent to the governor’s desk during the special legislative session set to end in no more than three days.

Full Story 

The lower chamber wants to set the threshold requiring voter approval of some property tax collection increases at 6 percent. The Senate put the trigger at 4 percent.

Full Story 

Hundreds of Texans gathered at a historic mission a few hundred yards from the Rio Grande on Saturday to protest President Trump's proposed border wall.

Full Story 

With just days left in the special legislative session, controversial proposals to restrict bathroom use for transgender Texans appear to have no clear path to the governor’s desk.

Full Story 

A bill that advanced in the Texas Legislature this week would require women to pay an additional insurance premium if they want their health plan to cover abortions not considered medical emergencies.

Full Story 

U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, is using his congressional recess for a 34-day tour of Texas in his bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz next year. 

Full Story 

Not a single measure has made it to the governor’s desk despite a steady drumbeat from his office urging lawmakers to go "20 for 20." A "bathroom bill" is on life support, but a property tax measure still has momentum, supporters say.

Full Story 

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd logged hundreds of miles Sunday and Monday to hold town halls during Congress' summer recess, and his interactions with constituents illustrated the fine line he must walk in his massive swing district.

Full Story 

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, who currently leads the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russia election-meddling, told the Tribune he is interested in chairing that powerful committee in the future.

Full Story 

It would be unconstitutional to impose a statewide property tax. Even if one was enacted, however, that wouldn’t solve the structural issues with the state’s school finance system.

Full Story 

Lawmakers have yet to send Gov. Greg Abbott a single bill to sign from the special session, and with less than two weeks left, it’s highly unlikely Abbott will get his entire 20-item agenda through the process.

Full Story 

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday unveiled a $15 billion border-security bill. The Building America's Trust Act would fund parts of a wall or fence, add Border Patrol and ICE agents to current ranks, and punish "sanctuary" jurisdictions. 

Full Story 

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is voicing agreement with two House members who want Gov. Greg Abbott to expand the special session agenda to include ethics reform. 

Full Story 

Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer, is launching a bid against U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, who is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican member of Congress from Texas. 

Full Story 

A new report says Rick Perry is in consideration to lead the Department of Homeland Security. 

Full Story