State government

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 

The best of the Tribune's storytelling with data and graphics in 2019

by Darla Cameron

The Tribune's data visuals team published more than 100 graphics about Texas politics and policy this year. Here's a look back at some of our favorites. Full Story 

Revisit some of The Texas Tribune’s best stories of 2019

by Corrie MacLaggan

Our reporters crisscrossed the Texas Capitol and traveled to the Panhandle and East Texas — as well as the Netherlands and Honduras — to tell stories about the state's politics, people and places. From a story on a migrant's desperate journey to a look at how coal companies are leaving behind contaminated land, here is a selection of their best work of the year. Full Story 

Analyzing 2019: The fall of a Texas House speaker

by Ross Ramsey

Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen went from his January election to hero of the legislative session to historical footnote in less than a year. Several of the year's columns analyzed the politics of a speaker quickly losing the trust of the House that elevated him in the first place. Full Story 

Here’s your Texas 2020 March primary ballot

by Carla Astudillo

The Texas 2020 primary will take place on March 3. See the full list of candidates statewide, and find out who's on your ballot based on where you live. Full Story 

Analysis: A 2020 holiday fantasy for Texas officeholders looking to 2022

by Ross Ramsey

Big election campaigns take years to mount. So some politicians aren't thinking about the 2020 elections. They're dreaming and planning for 2022. Full Story 

How the Texas Legislature saved John Paul DeJoria $123 million

by Emma Platoff

The Texas billionaire wanted U.S. courts to throw out a hefty judgment won against him in Morocco. The law wasn’t on DeJoria’s side. So Texas legislators changed it. Full Story 

Individual mandate is unconstitutional, federal appellate court rules in Texas-led Affordable Care Act lawsuit

by Emma Platoff

A panel on the conservative-leaning U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals sent the lawsuit back to a district court in Texas to reassess how much of the Affordable Care Act can stand if the individual mandate must fall. Full Story 

An estimated 390,000 Texans might lose access to food stamps under new Trump policy

by Stacy Fernández

One of the proposed rule changes could make SNAP recipients ineligible if their vehicles are valued at more than $4,650. Full Story 

Analysis: When nobody is the best-known Texas candidate, an endorsement can be a big deal

by Ross Ramsey

Political endorsements don't mean a lot, unless they bring in a lot of money or support — or attention to a particular candidate in a pack of unknowns. Full Story 

Waco judge sues state agency after receiving public warning for refusing to officiate same-sex marriages

by Emma Platoff

Dianne Hensley, who received a warning last month from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, will be represented by First Liberty Institute, a high-profile religious liberty law firm with close ties to the Texas Attorney General's Office. Full Story 

Sid Miller faced online backlash a month ago for posting the phrase 'get a rope' on Facebook. This weekend, Gov. Abbott said it on Twitter.

by Chase Karacostas

Abbott responded to criticism about his language by pointing to a decade's old Pace salsa ad. He told a critic to "lighten up." Full Story