The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
He's been teeing up the ball since leaving the governor's office, and on Thursday Rick Perry is set to take the first official swing in his 2016 presidential bid. He will enter the race with decided disadvantages and little room for mistakes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/21/xxTribFest_Perry392.jpg)
In a Houston speech Thursday, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to call for expanded early voting across the country, and criticize states like Texas that have passed restrictive election laws. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/20/AHRCAustin496cms.jpg)
Former Gov. Rick Perry will formally step into the presidential race still under indictment for two felonies. The case, which once made Perry a cause célèbre in some circles, has become more of a headache as he seeks money and votes in a crowded GOP field. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/18/BestOf-2014-019_2.jpg)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the drama — or lack thereof — in the 84th Texas Legislature, Dan Patrick's political future and Rick Perry's big announcement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/01/TT-tribcast2015-1024x680-final.jpg)
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has filed the paperwork to officially seek another term presiding over the lower chamber. If he wins, it will be his fifth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/_BDA5246Straus_laugh.jpg)
Frustrated Denton residents flooded a city council meeting Tuesday for a conversation about fracking that stretched late into the night. Now that state lawmakers have slapped down the city's fracking ban, residents wonder what else they can do. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/10/Denton-Fracking.jpg)
State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, has not yet said whether he is running for re-election in 2016, but that has not stopped a number of potential candidates from eying his seat, awaiting his final decision. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/UP9A6605.jpg)
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday he is not running for re-election, bringing to a close a 27-year tenure at the Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/23/7C2A8801.jpg)
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/22/Protesters-Split.jpg)
On balance, health care for the neediest Texans didn't fare well this session. Departing lawmakers leave behind a Medicaid budget that most experts agree is too low, and they predict it will spawn a hole in the state budget that will have to be filled later. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/28/Medicaid-Capitol-3.jpg)
Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetTexas.jpg)
Fresh off the state government payroll, former Gov. Rick Perry quickly turned to two tried-and-true ways of cashing in on a long career in public service: taking a seat on a corporate board and hiring out for speeches. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/16/Perry_in_Iowa.jpg)
Immediately after wrapping up the legislative session Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that he would never run against Greg Abbott for governor. "This will be my last position," the lieutenant governor said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/7C2A6926.jpg)
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/_BDA5206Farias.jpg)
Though campaign promises to enact immigration-enforcement measures and repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students didn't see the light of day, Republicans who championed the measures said they'll be back next session to try again. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/13/UP9A6756.jpg)
The Railroad Commission of Texas is set to go under intense legislative scrutiny next session after all, under an agreement by state House and Senate lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/21/RRC-Seal.jpg)
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk — following an emotional week of political drama over the issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/28/IsaacJason1_TT_crop.jpg)
Legislation requiring the state’s public universities to allow handguns in dorms, classrooms and campus buildings is now one step away from becoming law after a final vote to approve it in the Texas House on Sunday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/31/_BDB8657Fletcher.jpg)
When he sets out on his second presidential campaign Thursday, former Gov. Rick Perry will be officially entering a more crowded and competitive dash for campaign cash than he experienced three years ago. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/13/PerrySpeaks-2.jpg)
The Texas Senate took a final vote Saturday to approve legislation requiring the state’s public universities to allow handguns in dorms, classrooms and campus buildings. The House is scheduled to vote on the issue on Sunday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/7C2A4815.jpg)