State government

Hemp is booming in Texas. Distinguishing it from marijuana is still a challenge.

by Todd Wiseman, Jolie McCullough, Justin Dehn and Peyton Young

The Texas Tribune dug into hemp and marijuana with lawmakers, crime lab scientists, criminal defense attorneys and hemp entrepreneurs. Full Story 

Analysis: Why would a Texas Democrat want a seat in the Republican state Senate?

by Ross Ramsey

On paper, Texas senators have it better than their counterparts in the Texas House, but why would a Democrat want to work in a place where Republicans are fully and completely in control? Full Story 

Here's how many Texans are voting early in the 2020 primaries in the state’s biggest counties

by Mandi Cai

The Texas Tribune is tracking day-by-day cumulative early voting turnout for the state’s largest counties during the 2020 primary. Find out how many people have voted early. Full Story 

Analysis: Is Texas political sentiment changing?

by Ross Ramsey

The 2020 elections are a test of whether Democratic hopes and Republican fears — borne of the close finishes in the 2018 elections — are justified. The UT/TT Poll results on that question offer some clues. Full Story 

In Democrats’ low-information judicial primaries, gender and ballot names may drive voters’ decisions

by Emma Platoff

Fourteen Democrats are competing for seven seats on the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. How do you win when no one knows your name? Full Story 

TribCast: A Texas Senate retirement and Bernie Sanders' new lead in the state

by Alexa Ura

On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Emma, Cassi and Alex about what state Sen. Kirk Watson's retirement could mean for the Senate, Bernie Sanders' new lead in presidential polling in Texas and a Democratic judicial candidate's sexist comments about his opponent. Full Story 

Political Pick'em: Can you guess who will win these Texas primaries?

by Bobby Blanchard

The Texas Tribune is excited to present a return of its Political Pick'em contest. We've selected a handful of competitive Texas primaries, and we want you to pick the candidates who you think will get the most votes. Full Story 

Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court

by Emma Platoff

Jerry Zimmerer, an appellate judge in Houston, said his campaign differs from Amy Clark Meachum's because “I actually want the best candidate to win.” Full Story 

After strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Pete Buttigieg turns to Texas

by Alex Samuels

Starting Monday, the campaign will have 24 paid staffers in the state of Texas, which holds its primary March 3. Full Story 

Royce West helped flip Dallas County for Democrats in 2006. Could he flip Texas in 2020?

by Emma Platoff

In a crowded Democratic field to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the longtime state senator is betting on his decades of experience as a consensus builder. Full Story 

Texas 2020 Hotlist: The most competitive races in this year's primaries

by Ross Ramsey, Patrick Svitek and Chris Essig

A couple of The Texas Tribune's political nerds highlight (their version of) the most interesting races up and down the 2020 primary ballot. Full Story 

Leader of Texas’ health department leaving after a year for Louisiana job

by Edgar Walters

Courtney Phillips is leaving the state Health and Human Services Commission to take a job as Louisiana's new secretary of the Department of Health. Full Story 

Beto O’Rourke’s flock remains loyal while his party debates whether to move on

by Alex Samuels

The question facing Texas Democrats: Can the party capitalize on the energy he brings out of his supporters while minimizing the counter-energy he seems to provoke from the right? Full Story 

Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez’s unlikely ally in her quest to take on John Cornyn: Alec Baldwin

by Alex Samuels

In Baldwin, most recently known for his recurring portrayal of President Donald Trump on ”Saturday Night Live,” Tzintzún Ramirez has found a generous financial supporter and an informal adviser. Full Story 

Analysis: The politics of paying one Texan’s local sales taxes to another Texan’s city

by Ross Ramsey

A longstanding economic development incentive tied to local sales taxes has run into a hurdle, as voters find out some of their local dollars are ending up in faraway localities. Blame the internet. Full Story 

"Neglected" college campuses on Texas border want a little love, and better Wi-Fi

by Shannon Najmabadi

At three lonely satellite campuses of Sul Ross State University, students and teachers say they're stuck with broken technology and few resources. Their dreams of blooming into an independent four-year university seem doomed, but they hope things might get better under a new university president. Full Story 

Analysis: Messing with elections messes with democracy

by Ross Ramsey

Voter suppression, incompetent administrators, dirty political tricks, and misinformation and political rhetoric attacking the results of elections present threats to elections and democracy, a new book argues. It came out on the day of the Iowa caucuses. Full Story 

After black student suspended over dreadlocks, some Texas lawmakers want to ban hair discrimination

by Naomi Andu

The Texas Legislative Black Caucus hopes to pass the CROWN Act in the next legislative session. The bill would prohibit hair discrimination affecting people of color in schools and workplaces. Full Story 

The on-air authority on state politics and policy

by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn

More than a website, The Texas Tribune has worked to grow its reach and foster an engaged electorate by appearing on television news stations across the state. Full Story 

Analysis: A Texas sales tax rule hinges on a question: What’s local?

by Ross Ramsey

This is the kind of question that makes tax consultants wealthy: If a Texan buys something online, should the local sales tax go to the seller's city or the buyer's? Full Story