State government

Analysis: A seasonal change in Texas politics, as November trumps March

by Ross Ramsey

For a long time, the party primary elections in Texas have been more competitive than the general elections in November. Not anymore. Full Story 

Advocates have long tried to change judicial selection in Texas. Is Dan Patrick their newest obstacle?

by Emma Platoff

A new commission had barely begun to study Texas' partisan judicial election system when the leader of the Texas Senate signaled skepticism of reform. Full Story 

Federal judge blocks policy that allowed Gov. Greg Abbott to ban refugees in Texas

by Julián Aguilar

The decision comes just days after the Texas governor became the first state leader to opt out of the program. The move drew a harsh rebuke from Texas' Catholic bishops. Full Story 

Round two of fight over online voter registration for Texas drivers reaches federal court

by Alexa Ura

The state won the first round on a technicality. Now disenfranchised voters are again asking that they be allowed to complete their voter registrations through the online driver's license portal. Full Story 

Analysis: A bad day for Planned Parenthood, a good one for Ken Paxton

by Ross Ramsey

The Texas attorney general got a political gift in the form of a friendly request for his opinion: a chance to take a swipe at a political nemesis. Full Story 

Under new Texas law, Planned Parenthood likely to be excluded from state employees' annual charity drive

by Emma Platoff

A legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that facilitating state employees' donations to Planned Parenthood falls under a 2019 state law prohibiting government entities from entering into "taxpayer resource transactions" with abortion providers or their affiliates. Full Story 

Warren unveils list of new Texas endorsements as presidential race heats up

by Alex Samuels

The senator's backers now include three state representatives, several Texas city council members and local political organizers. Full Story 

Analysis: Why you should treat elected officials like your dog

by Ross Ramsey

For four years, local and state governments in Texas were allowed to keep a lot of public business hidden. New laws make more of that information public. But what did they get away with in the meantime? Full Story 

Greg Abbott blames another stabbing on Austin's homeless policies and ramps up DPS patrols

by Juan Pablo Garnham

The Texas governor said DPS will place additional patrols within two blocks of state buildings downtown and around the University of Texas. Full Story 

An open-government mystery solved: McAllen paid Enrique Iglesias $485,000 for 2015 performance

by Emma Platoff

The pop star's contract with the city — long hidden by what critics described as gaping holes in the state's open-records laws — became public this week after new legislation governing the public's right to know went into effect. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott warns Texas agencies seeing 10,000 attempted cyber attacks per minute from Iran

by Cassandra Pollock

State agencies are seeing an increase in cyber security threats as Iranian officials vow revenge against the U.S. for killing a top general. Full Story 

Analysis: Julián Castro’s unsuccessful bid for president wasn’t really an ending

by Ross Ramsey

It's possible for a political candidate to win by losing — to rise in prominence as a result of a losing campaign for office. Beto O'Rourke tried and failed to do that. But keep an eye on Julián Castro, whose profile rose as his presidential bid fell apart. Full Story 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott remains quiet on whether the state will opt out of refugee program

by Julián Aguilar

It's still unclear if Abbott will join nearly 40 other governors who have decided to stay in the program. Full Story 

Analysis: Texas elections aren’t starting now — they’re already running at full speed

by Ross Ramsey

Candidates and campaigns start the year at full speed, sprinting their way to primary election voting that begins in less than two months. It's the start of what should be a momentous and turbulent presidential election year. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: Elections past, elections future

by Ross Ramsey

Election results from 2018 and prospects for the 2020 election led by President Donald Trump’s reelection bid provided a steady and strong undertow for political and policy conversations in Texas. And they still do. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: Unrest on the Texas-Mexico border

by Ross Ramsey

The immigration and humanitarian crisis continues at the Texas-Mexico border, where things have persistently been made worse by harsh government policies. Full Story 

The Best of The Texas Tribune's photojournalism of 2019

by Miguel Gutierrez Jr. and John Jordan

Here's a look back at our favorite photographs by freelancers, fellows and our new photography department. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: Texas shootings and 2nd Amendment politics

by Ross Ramsey

Shootings in El Paso and Odessa prompted fresh questions and conversations about gun violence in Texas, even among some of the state’s elected Second Amendment advocates. Full Story 

Michael Bloomberg revs up Texas campaign with big plans

by Alex Samuels and Patrick Svitek

The Democratic presidential candidate is staffing up in Texas and planning to open a Houston headquarters and 16 field offices. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: The 86th Texas Legislature

by Ross Ramsey

Texas lawmakers, convinced that 2018’s voters were telling them to get some serious work done, steered (mostly) away from social and cultural issues to concentrate on “meat and potatoes” items voters demanded, starting with schools and property taxes. Full Story