The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas swings from conservative to very conservative every two years. The turnout is higher when there is a presidential race on the ballot, and the state's Republicans are a little less dominant those years. Full Story
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Tune in to "God & Guns" — part 2 of our "God & Governing" documentary-style series — to see how lawmakers' religious beliefs played into the gun rights debate during the 2015 Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Watch Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw interview state Reps. David Simpson, R-Longview; Donna Howard, D-Austin; James White, R-Woodville; and Celia Israel, D-Austin on the role faith plays in the legislative process. Full Story
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The Obama administration announced late Wednesday that it "strongly opposes" a repeal of the crude oil export ban, legislation that many Texans are trying to push through Congress. Full Story
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With Vice President Joe Biden apparently closer than ever to a decision about running for president in 2016, some top Texas Democrats say he would have a hard time blunting Hillary Clinton's advantage in the state. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Jay about the Trib's God & Governing documentary project, former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's looming campaign debt and the flap over Texas textbooks. Full Story
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A decades-long ban on crude oil exports is up for repeal, legislation that is expected to glide through the U.S. House at the end of the week. While there is little doubt that the House will pass the repeal, it still faces serious obstacles before becoming law. Full Story
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Texas' highest criminal court has agreed to review the abuse-of-power case against former Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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In the 2015 Texas legislative session, state lawmakers weren't shy about using their religious beliefs to defend their policymaking. Check out "God & Governing," our documentary series on the role lawmakers' personal faith played in their legislating. Full Story
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Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says GOP presidential opponent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has "enabled" frontrunner Donald Trump by failing to call him out for his liberal positions. Full Story
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Former Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says he is finally paying off the nearly $1 million in debts owed to campaign consultants and vendors since his lopsided loss to Ted Cruz in the 2012 U.S. Senate race. Full Story
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It should come as no surprise when political plotters and schemers try to pack a primary election to force an incumbent into a runoff. Their hope is that the runoff's greater concentration of partisan voters will be harder on the incumbents. Full Story
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When the national election is over, Cruz will either return to the Senate as a rank-and-file member; or if elected president, he will have to negotiate with his former colleagues. Many question whether he can do either job effectively. Full Story
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The first arguments were held Friday in a federal lawsuit challenging Texas policies that effectively deny birth certificates to some U.S.-citizen children of undocumented immigrants. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman questioned the state's reasoning. Full Story
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A top GOP consulting shop is laying down a marker in the Lone Star State, opening an Austin office that promises to be a major player in the lucrative industry of helping Texas Republicans win primary and general elections. Full Story
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Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has hired a Texas operative, Corbin Casteel, to help win the state. Full Story
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As the presidential political season starts in Texas, here's a look — based on the results in past general elections — at how the state's congressional and statehouse districts stack up for the candidates from both parties. Full Story
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Following an outcry from dozens of state lawmakers, Texas’ top health agency announced Thursday it will make less drastic cuts than originally planned to a therapy program for children with disabilities, even if that means spending more than lawmakers budgeted for the program. Full Story
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The director of the Texas Department of Public Safety on Thursday said it was absurd that some border residents claim state troopers are harassing residents during the ongoing border surge in the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
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This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott talk religion and the 2016 race with Sarah Posner of Religion Dispatches and WPLN reporter Chas Sisk. Full Story
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