The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
On Friday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott unexpectedly canceled a planned debate appearance, so we start our weekly playlist inspired by Texas political news with "Let's Call It Off" by Peter Bjorn and John. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/30/Aug30PlaylistCollage.jpg)
Take a look back at the highlights from the last three decades of Texas gubernatorial debates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/29/AbbottDavis-2.jpg)
A federal judge on Friday struck down new requirements for Texas abortion facilities — a decision that could have shuttered all but a few abortion clinics in the state. The standards were set to go into effect Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/02/San_Antonio_ASC.jpg)
UPDATED: A televised statewide debate between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis fell apart on Friday, and another one popped up in its place, raising questions about whether voters will get many chances to compare the two candidates for governor. Does it matter? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/03/18/DavisAbbottSplit.jpg)
The state tab for Gov. Rick Perry's criminal defense, previously thought to be $80,000, has hit $133,000. Perry has said he will pay for his lawyers with campaign money from now on. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/25/SaPerryNH0962smileCMS.jpg)
Democrats say media reports that some National Guard troops on the border haven't been paid and can't afford basic necessities are infuriating. Republican Gov. Rick Perry's office says the National Guard is fully equipped to help them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/13/SwiftGuard072.jpg)
It's a good thing that Judge John Dietz dropped his school finance ruling before a three-day weekend, because interested parties could use that extra day to go over his 400-plus page decision. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/School-Suit.jpg)
Texas voters approve billions of dollars in new local debt each year. A growing group of critics argues that voters wouldn't be so agreeable if they were more clearly informed of the debt that's already owed in their name. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/27/KellerBond_01778-ByPassed.jpg)
If Bert Richardson remains on the bench for the criminal case against Gov. Rick Perry, those who know the former prosecutor say trial watchers will be treated to an engaged judge. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/27/Perry-Judge.jpg)
A secretive nonprofit, which until recently has been known solely for its efforts to unseat New York Democrats, has launched an online campaign in support of Gov. Rick Perry in light of his recent legal troubles. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/19/_S3R3849cms5.jpg)
They are this summer's odd couple: Gov. Rick Perry and his lawyer, Tony Buzbee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/18/_F5U3339cms.jpg)
Tony Buzbee, who is leading Gov. Rick Perry's defense, has made a fortune being the kind of lawyer the governor has spent much of his time in office villainizing. But Buzbee rejects the suggestion that he was an unconventional pick. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/19/IMG_7758.jpg)
While receiving praise from education leaders in Austin and fending off fresh criticism about her tax return, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis promoted the latest additions to her education reform proposals. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/06/7C2A3416.jpg)
This is the time of a political year when voters start — slowly — to pay attention to the candidates, issues and arguments ahead of a general election. But this year, there is something else to watch instead. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1e37526f17deefa4c710d369842b2f6d/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Rosemarry-Perry%202013)
The arrival of the Texas National Guard to the border has been met with praise by some who say the state is taking the lead in securing the border. Others say the deployment is overkill that only serves to hamper the local economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e00d40a882af9e01f94bb9c004057f5d/DONT%20USE%20DPS%20Gunboat)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis released her full 2013 tax return on Tuesday, changing course after previously not allowing the document to be shared or published in full. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/12/TXTDavisCanvas-CCR001.jpg)
On Tuesday, as the Tribune was preparing to write a story about Wendy Davis' limited release of her 2013 tax return, her campaign agreed to its full publication. You can find it here. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/12/TXTDavisCanvas-CCR002.jpg)
Saying she wants to expand Texas high schoolers’ access to technical job training programs, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis on Tuesday announced a plan to create a Career-Technical Coordinating Board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/22/TXT-DavisSpeaks-CCR002.jpg)
Team Perry on Monday began what it hopes to be a swift effort to nullify the felony indictments brought against the governor earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/18/PerryTeam4.jpg)
Accusations about criminalizing politics go hand in hand with indictments of political figures. But prosecutors in Travis County have fumbled enough big cases to give the officeholders they chase some room for argument. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/08/16/UP9A5643.JPG)