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Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
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Energy
Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state
The 5.0 magnitude earthquake is tied for the sixth strongest in state history. Scientists have warned for years that increased fracking in West Texas is causing higher earthquake activity.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Winners and losers: Who came out on top — and who didn’t — in the Texas House’s committee assignments
There were only so many chair positions to go around, with 30 committees for 88 Republicans, making it inevitable that some would miss out on plum appointments.
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Politics
Texas Supreme Court dismisses state bar’s lawsuit against Ken Paxton for challenging 2020 presidential election
The state bar had sought to sanction Paxton, which could have carried a punishment ranging from a private reprimand to disbarment.
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Politics
Texas could sell 100 miles of border to feds, Abbott says
Abbott is in Washington this week to lobby Congress for $11 billion to compensate Texas for money spent on his Operation Lone Star, to secure the border during the Biden Administration.
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Health care
New York doctor ordered to stop providing abortion pills to Texans
The ruling is the opening salvo in a likely lengthy battle between Texas’ abortion bans and New York’s “shield” protections for providers.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeowners
The marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas House committee assignments extend power of experienced GOP leaders
Republicans chair all committees, as promised, while Democrats will lead half of the newly created subcommittees.
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Politics
Former TPPF leader Brooke Rollins confirmed by Senate for agriculture secretary
The Senate voted 72-28 to confirm her nomination. She easily sailed through the Senate Agriculture Committee earlier this month on a unanimous vote.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker race
A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.