politics

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, questions judicial nominees during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 4, 2019.

Ted Cruz backs debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in 2016 election

by J. Edward Moreno

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" and advanced a debunked theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election, despite information from State Department officials calling it a "fictional narrative."

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Pierce Bush announces bid for suburban Houston congressional seat

by Abby Livingston and Patrick Svitek

The grandson of the late President George H.W. Bush will enter an already crowded GOP primary for Texas' 22nd District.

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Galveston County Republican Party Chairwoman Yolanda Waters.

Top Texas Republicans pressure a county chair to resign over racist text

by Patrick Svitek

Yolanda Waters, the chairwoman for Galveston County's Republican party, is facing pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner George P. Bush and James Dickey, the state party chairman.

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Donald Trump's new, controversial homelessness czar has argued feeding homeless people enables them

by Davis Rich

Robert Marbut Jr. helped develop the Haven for Hope homeless shelter in San Antonio, which Gov. Greg Abbott praised as "probably the best template" for addressing homelessness. But aspects of Marbut's approach have been criticized as harsh and patronizing.

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Gov. Greg Abbott during the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony on May 25, 2019

Appointees claim Gov. Greg Abbott ousted them from board for voting to sanction judge who refused to perform same-sex marriages

by Emma Platoff

After those two appointees left the commission, it handed down just a warning to the judge, Dianne Hensley.

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State Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land, on May 17, 2019.

TribCast: Rick Miller steps in it with comments on Asian opponents

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Matthew, Emma and Alex about a state lawmaker who suggested his election opponents were running because they're Asian, and the latest on the presidential race in Texas.

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Tenth Talks: Watch four experts predict the future of media in Texas

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

In this edition of Tenth Talks, The Texas Tribune's yearlong video series on the next 10 years of Texas, four of the state’s top media innovators predict what’s in store for their industry.

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State Rep. Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land, speaks with colleagues on the House floor during the House School Finance plan deliberations on April 3, 2019.

State Rep. Rick Miller drops reelection bid after saying opponents were challenging him because they’re Asian

by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek

The Sugar Land Republican faced fast and fierce backlash after he accused his opponents of running against him because they are Asian in a district with a sizable Asian population.

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Austin Mayor Steve Adler welcomes presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to the stage during a campaign stop at Buford's Beer Garden in Austin on Aug. 10, 2019.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler watched Pete Buttigieg court Chasten. Now Adler’s helping him court America.

by Alex Samuels

Austin Mayor Steve Adler has become Pete Buttigieg’s most notable supporter in Texas, and one of the most prominent elected officials in America supporting the South Bend mayor.

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As experienced Texas congressmen retire, will the state's sway in Congress decline?

by J. Edward Moreno

Last year, the Texas congressional delegation had six chairmanships in the U.S. House. Now it only has one.

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A voting sign in four languages at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center near downtown Houston on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.

Translators help Korean American voters in Harris County find their electoral voice

by Alexa Ura

After years of relying on volunteer translators, Korean Americans voting in Houston last month received help from newly hired bilingual poll workers.

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Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire media mogul and former New York City mayor, eats lunch with Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. after adding his name to the Democratic primary ballot in Little Rock, Arkansas on Nov. 12, 2019.

Michael Bloomberg spends $3 million on Texas TV ads as he rolls out presidential bid

by Alex Samuels

The 60-second spots will air on broadcast television in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Harlingen-Weslaco, Houston and San Antonio markets.

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Gov. Greg Abbott on the House floor during the House School Finance plan deliberation on April 3, 2019.

Gov. Greg Abbott orders state agencies to reduce licensing regulations, cut fees

by Emma Platoff

Abbott has set a Dec. 1 deadline for agencies to tell his office how they plan to limit regulations, reduce fees and, "where appropriate," remove licensing barriers for people with criminal records.

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U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Jessica Cisneros, his Democratic challenger.

South Texas is known for its moderates. A primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar could test that.

by J. Edward Moreno

Jessica Cisneros, a 26-year-old immigration attorney, is running to unseat Cuellar, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress.

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Michael Bloomberg files paperwork to get on the Texas primary ballot

by Alex Samuels

Bloomberg is the fourth person to file for the Democratic presidential primary in Texas.

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Center for Public Policy Priorities CEO Ann Beeson and Educate Texas Executive Director John Fitzpatrick at the launch of Texas Counts in Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.

Texas isn't providing major support for the 2020 Census. Local officials and nonprofits say they will instead.

by Chase Karacostas

Several nonprofits, local governments and philanthropy organizations have formed Texas Counts, a coalition aimed at ensuring an accurate census count in 2020, which could affect representation in Congress and billions in federal funding.

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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on honesty and transparency in health care prices inside the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 15, 2019.

Donald Trump touted Apple manufacturing jobs in Austin on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know.

by Stacy Fernández and Alex Samuels

Trump toured a newly expanded Apple manufacturing plant in Austin and incorrectly tweeted afterward that he’d opened the plant. The plant has been open since before Trump's term began.

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Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Emily Ramshaw and Chief Audience Officer Amanda Zamora.

T-Squared: Emily Ramshaw and Amanda Zamora launching a national news organization for women

by Evan Smith

They'll exit their leadership roles at The Texas Tribune at the end of the year. We couldn't be more grateful for all they've done for us — or prouder of what they're about to do.

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Former state House Speaker Joe Straus at a Texas Tribune event on March 29, 2019.

Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus calls on Supreme Court to protect workplace rights for LGBTQ Americans

by Stacy Fernández

Straus' op-ed comes a month after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for three employment discrimination cases in which a person was fired for being gay or transgender.

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A view of the main stage at the state capitol. Preparations are underway for the Oath of Office Ceremony celebrations scheduled for tomorrow. Jan. 14, 2019. Miguel Gutierrez / The Texas Tribune.

The inauguration of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick cost millions. But much of it went to fundraising and staff.

by Shannon Najmabadi and Jay Root

Spending on each of the last two inaugurations eclipsed that of any other in Texas for at least 40 years, even when adjusted for inflation. A spokesman for the governor has said no state dollars were spent on the festivities.

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