The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas is a Republican stronghold, and that likely won't change anytime soon. Heading into 2018, however, several Democrats are pushing to unseat incumbents in several statewide races. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/17/VOTING2-2_MS_TT.jpg)
As lawmakers debated property tax reform, we asked Texans to give us their take on the state-vs.-local fight about regulating rising property tax bills. Here’s a look at the legislative debate and how some Texans feel about the proposed measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/14/TT-PowerTrip_leadart-propertytaxes.png)
The Texas Tribune surveyed all 38 Texans in Congress Wednesday, asking if they believed Trump's response to Charlottesville has encouraged the white nationalist movement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/11/DrakeTrump0666.JPG)
Controversial statements President Donald Trump has made about the violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville have invited criticism from Texas Democrats and Republicans alike. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/APrice-DemPresser-3.jpeg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/16/_95I0194_Straus.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/01/APrice-InterfaithonBathroomBill-8.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/06/Abbott_special_MKC_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/12/7C2A0039.JPG)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/14/Robert_Lee_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/13/_95I9204_Campbell.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/12/7C2A0348.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/12/La_Lomita_Mission_07_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/21/Bathroom_bill_protesters_MKC_TT.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/081117_Roundup_Still.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/10/Beto_on_the_road.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/08/Straus_and_Patrick.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/07/Hurd_2_PS_TT.jpg)
Every week, a prominent Texan or politico records a funny, quippy introduction to the TribCast, our political podcast. Want to join their ranks? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/22/TTE-tribcast_leadart.png)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/01/APrice-FarmBill-9.jpg)
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/10/iStock-153532596.jpg)