Texas lawmakers proposed a bill to allow private-sector lithium mining companies to work on certain military bases.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
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Criminal Justice
Texas prisoners face new book ban after hundreds test positive for synthetic drugs
Inmates say the policy unfairly punishes them — and note that prison staff also bring in contraband.
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Public Education
Texas’ discipline push sends kids to ‘jail-like’ campuses
Lawmakers increasingly view disciplinary alternative programs as a solution to behavior problems. Critics say they harm students.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Texas’ Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies — and attack ads — on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
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Higher Education
Gov. Greg Abbott to Texas colleges: Don’t increase tuition, fees
The governor said undergraduate tuition and fees should stay frozen after some public university systems weighed increases.
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2026 Texas Elections
Senate GOP leaders spent months trashing Paxton. Can they turn the page and unify against Talarico?
Paxton’s blowout win on Tuesday compelled an alliance by necessity, if not natural synergy, between the attorney general and the Washington groups that spent months trying to elect John Cornyn.
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2026 Texas Elections
One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds
The survey is the latest to measure eroding Latino support for the president and the GOP after historic gains in 2024. But a polling expert said Democrats were “still underperforming” among the bloc.
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2026 Texas Elections
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Johnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
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2026 Texas Elections
Bo French defeats Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in GOP primary runoff
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows all supported French’s opponent.
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2026 Texas Elections
Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff
Alief school board President Darlene Breaux defeated Vo, who spent more than two decades in the Texas House. Dallas state Rep. Venton Jones held off Amanda Richardson.