The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
“If you are untouchable, we’ve got a problem,” Sen. Brian Birdwell told the chairman of the commission, which is charged with making sure public officials and campaigns obey state ethics and elections laws. Full Story
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's ability to appeal to women voters — even in a red state like Texas — is under scrutiny. Full Story
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U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is planning a trip to Texas to help Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, in the home stretch of his heated rematch with Pete Gallego. Full Story
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Registering new people to vote is terrific, as far as it goes. But it doesn't mean more people are going to actually cast votes. Full Story
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Texas has officially withdrawn from the nation’s refugee resettlement program, according to Gov. Greg Abbott's office. But that won't stop the federal government from continuing to help refugees relocate here. Full Story
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The end of one political race is often the beginning of the next one. As former Gov. Rick Perry learned, an "oops" moment in one contest can color voter opinion in the next one. That ought to worry U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Texas nonprofits that resettle refugees say volunteer turnout has increased — in some cases dramatically — since the state's elected officials started trying to bar Syrians fleeing violence at home. Full Story
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Check out our live Tribune Festival edition of the TribCast and The Ticket 2016, featuring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Chris Paddie, politicos Sarah Isgur Flores and Erick Erickson, and music from the Bad Precedents. Full Story
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Legislation passed by Congress on Wednesday did not address concerns that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raised over U.S. control of the Internet. Full Story
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Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told state lawmakers that the $800 million border surge has made two counties safer. But he conceded that the rest of the border is more vulnerable. Full Story
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The Democratic National Committee is expanding its presence in Texas as polls continue to show a closer-than-usual presidential race in the solidly red state. Full Story
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Members of Congress — including many Texans — delivered Wednesday what might be the largest legislative blow that President Obama's administration has received. Full Story
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Congress had only one major piece of legislation to pass when members returned for the fall: a bill keeping the government doors open. But with a deadline looming late Friday, members are down to the wire to avoid a shutdown. Full Story
Seven months after Pope Francis celebrated mass on the Texas-Mexico border, measuring the lasting effects of his visit is difficult. A recent uptick in violence has fueled concerns about whether another crime wave is on the way. Full Story
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The state's 1.7 million veterans are largely split on their choice for the next commander-in-chief. While some say they favor Republican Donald Trump’s boldness, others see promise in Democrat Hillary Clinton’s steadiness. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is helping to lead a 28-state effort to strike down the Clean Power Plan, President Obama's landmark effort to to fight climate change. Full Story
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State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, is resigning in January, she said in a statement Monday. Full Story
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What's the Texas take on the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton? Watch along with us and tell us what you think, using the hashtag #TXWatching2016. Full Story
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Ken Starr, former president of Baylor University, pushed back against the notion that the school has systemic problems handling sexual assault investigations. Starr also offered support for Art Briles, Baylor’s ousted football coach. Full Story
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At the Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said he endorsed Donald Trump because the election is a binary choice between Hillary Clinton and Trump. This is the full video of Tribune CEO Evan Smith's interview with Cruz. Full Story