The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The primaries are also the first major electoral test for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who took over the gavel more than a year ago. Full Story
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Merritt is licensed in Pennsylvania. The state constitution doesn’t require the attorney general to be a licensed lawyer, but Merritt’s opponent has criticized his legal record. Full Story
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Former state Sen. Don Huffines and ex-Republican Party of Texas Chair Allen West have each made careers out of championing conservative values. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to revoke tenure for professors teaching lessons about race that he disagrees with. It’s a new chapter of an old fight between academics and populist politicians. Full Story
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Paxton is targeting one of his challengers, Louie Gohmert, while another challenger, George P. Bush, is going after challenger Eva Guzman. Full Story
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Watson was mayor of the city from 1997 to 2001 and is focused on tackling the rising cost of living, homelessness, public safety and transportation. Full Story
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Land Commissioner George P. Bush is stepping down to run for attorney general. Four Democrats and eight Republicans are seeking their parties’ nominations for the office. Full Story
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Patrick’s suggestion to end tenure at public universities received swift criticism from faculty and higher education experts who said it would negatively impact the reputation of Texas’ colleges and universities. Full Story
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The whistleblowers made their first statement about Paxton’s decision to fire them since filing a lawsuit against the attorney general. Full Story
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A week into early voting in the Texas party primaries, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick launched his latest culture-war volley, an attack on college professors whose teachings about race don’t match his notions about what they should be teaching. Full Story
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Justin Berry is among 19 Austin law enforcement officers indicted and accused of using excessive force on anti-police brutality protesters in 2020. Full Story
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Patrick urged former Gov. Rick Perry to mount a challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a third term. He’s taken the already considerable power concentrated in the state’s No. 2 job to another level, forcing opponents from races and tightening his grip on the Senate. Full Story
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The Austin police officer is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Texas House District 19, west of Austin. Full Story
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The new requirement applies to charter schools set to open in August. The agency did not elaborate why this one law needed a separate assurance. Full Story
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Patrick’s mass mailing urging voters to apply for mail-in ballots included return envelopes addressed to the Texas secretary of state’s office. The applications are supposed to be sent to local offices, but Patrick’s campaign says voters don’t trust election officials in Democratic counties. Full Story
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If two propositions pass, the state will increase school funding to make up for revenues lost from a decrease in property taxes. Full Story
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Disability rights advocates say the state has not provided enough guidance about the type of help people with disabilities can and cannot receive under new voting laws passed last year. Full Story
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What top Texas candidates are talking about isn’t always the same as what the voters think are the most important issues facing the state. Full Story
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Leaders at higher education institutions are trying to attract students by offering flexibility with instructional modes — and they said that flexibility is here to stay. Full Story
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There are currently three other open investigations into racial and gender discrimination at Carroll ISD. Full Story
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