The former Houston ISD superintendent was the first Black person to lead the Department of Education and helped launch the No Child Left Behind Act.
Politics
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Politics
Texas AG probe of nearly 1,000 cities’ finances to seek violations of new property tax law
While Ken Paxton did not allege any wrongdoing, his move is intended to enforce a new law that prevents cities from raising property taxes if they fail to follow transparency requirements.
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Courts
AG Ken Paxton’s campaign against immigrant-serving groups gets boost from court rulings
Courts have said that the attorney general can use a 100-year-old law to demand entities’ internal records and sue to shut them down if he believes they’re violating the law.
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2026 Texas Elections
Gov. Greg Abbott has a sweeping plan to abolish Texas’ school property taxes. Would it work?
The governor must first win over lawmakers who have rejected similar proposals. The state may have to backfill more than $17 billion for school funding alone.
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Politics
Dallas County GOP’s plan to hand-count primary ballots will prevent countywide voting on Election Day
The decision will make Dallas County the largest jurisdiction in the U.S. where ballots are hand-counted. Voters will still be able to vote at any countywide vote center during early voting.
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2026 Texas Elections
Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey files for Tarrant County judge, forgoing eighth term in Congress
The Fort Worth congressman’s district was upended under the new GOP-friendly map approved this summer. He was expected to run for the district being vacated by Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
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Courts
Llano County library book removals allowed after U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear challenge
Seven residents launched a challenge in 2022 to the removal of 17 books, which included topics on race and gender. They won a reinstatement of the titles, but lost on appeal.
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2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Jasmine Crockett enters Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
Crockett, a second-term congresswoman, has skyrocketed to fame through viral spats with Republicans, becoming one of her party’s most prolific fundraisers.
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2026 Texas Elections
Democrat Colin Allred drops out of Senate race, announces run for 33rd Congressional District
The former Dallas congressman said he wanted to help his party avoid a runoff. In his campaign to return to the House, he will face U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, his successor in Congress.
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Politics
Former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff dies at 89
During his time in the Texas Senate, the moderate Republican tackled major issues such as school finance and ethics reform.