The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Weeks after resigning as mayor of Rio Grande City, Republican Ruben Villarreal has confirmed he will challenge longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, Democrat of Edinburg, for his seat in Texas' 15th Congressional District. Full Story
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On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jim Douglas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey, the show opens with a discussion of the Dream Act. Full Story
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Texas is likely to play a significant role in the Democratic front-runner’s presidential bid, and Clinton could return the favor. Full Story
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Ron Paul on Saturday cast skepticism on the motives of senators who want a congressional review of President Obama's emerging nuclear deal with Iran — a group that includes his son, presidential candidate Rand Paul. Full Story
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It’s less than a year until the first presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the 2016 race is already well underway, so we start off this week's playlist off the news with a campaign-themed set. Full Story
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A collection of unflattering headlines has lawmakers and one of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller's predecessors questioning whether the world-champion calf roper was ready to steer a billion-dollar agency. But Miller is brushing off the criticism. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry, drawing a sharp contrast between himself and his less experienced rivals for the White House, said Friday the 2016 presidential race will be a "show-me-don't-tell-me election" in which the candidate with the strongest resume will prevail. Full Story
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In 2013, billions of dollars in bonds to pay for new campus buildings slipped through the grasp of state universities and colleges in the session's closing moments. Another bond package is now moving through the chambers, and university leaders hope not to repeat that fate. Full Story
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Rick Perry's political operatives have swapped out two seconds in a video touting the former Texas governor's military history. Experts told the Tribune they believed the warship in the original footage was Russian, not American. Full Story
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The Texas House on Thursday passed legislation that would codify the current policies and duties of the state’s Border Prosecution Unit. Full Story
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At our 4/9 conversation, state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, the chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, talked about whether he plans to run again in 2016. Full Story
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Along party lines, a Senate committee Wednesday advanced a controversial "sanctuary cities" bill from Lubbock Sen. Charles Perry that would cut state funds to cities that don't let their peace officers enforce immigration laws. Full Story
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The Texas Senate has preliminarily passed a bill that would move the state’s public integrity unit from the Travis County district attorney’s office to the Texas Rangers. Full Story
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A Senate committee has approved a bill that would limit tuition increases to the rate of inflation unless universities meet "performance measures." Meanwhile, a House committee is considering a bill to tie tuition increases only to inflation. Full Story
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A quartet of super PACs is coming to the aid of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as he embarks on his 2016 presidential campaign, and they expect to raise a whopping $31 million during their first week. Full Story
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Use the TedTracker to check the public events — past and future — Ted Cruz has announced since making his run for president official. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry, courting faith-based voters in South Carolina, emphasized "second chances" Tuesday as he spoke at a Christian college. Full Story
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Two proposed constitutional amendments designed to safeguard religious liberty would "devastate" economic development and set Texas on the ill-fated path Indiana just traveled, a leading business group said Tuesday. Full Story
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A handful of Democrats on Tuesday asked the House Business and Industry Committee to support a package of bills that would increase the minimum wage in Texas. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday deferred to state lawmakers on whether they want to repeal Texas' in-state tuition law, a measure he signed into law in 2001 and has defended to varying degrees ever since. Full Story
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