state government

Ex-Colleagues Battle for House Seat In Lubbock

By Johnathan Silver Feb. 15, 2016

Five years ago, they were both embarking on their first legislative sessions in the Texas House. Now, Republicans John Frullo and Jim Landtroop are primary opponents. Full Story

State Rep. John Frullo (left) of Lubbock faces former State Rep. Jim Landtroop (right) in the Republican primary.

Analysis: Raising Tuition for College Students, Deflecting the Blame

By Ross Ramsey Feb. 12, 2016

With some Texas colleges and universities talking about raising tuition prices, the legislators who gave up that responsibility 16 years ago are wondering whether they should take it back. Full Story

A look at the sun setting over the University of Texas at Austin Tower in 2011. — Credit: Illustration by Nicolas Raymond / Todd Wiseman

Martinez Fischer, Menéndez Meet Again

By Alexa Ura Feb. 12, 2016

On major issues there's little daylight between San Antonio Democrats Trey Martinez Fischer and José Menéndez, but their rematch for a Texas Senate seat couldn't produce a greater divergence of styles. Full Story

State. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (l) and state Sen. José Menéndez — Credit: Shelby Knowles

Video: A Conversation with José Menéndez

By Evan Smith Feb. 11, 2016

Full video of my 2/11 conversation with state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, who is running for reelection to his District 26 seat. Full Story

Four Years Later, Quintanilla Wants Back Under the Dome

By Julián Aguilar Feb. 11, 2016

In 2012, Inocente “Chente” Quintanilla decided to forgo re-election to the Texas House. Now his efforts to return are being dismissed by state Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, who says Quintanilla just missed "being part of the Austin life." Full Story

Incumbent state Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, is facing a primary challenge from former state Rep. Inocente “Chente” Quintanilla.

McRaven: UT System Schools Need Tuition Hikes

By Matthew Watkins Feb. 10, 2016

University of Texas System Chancellor Bill McRaven said Wednesday that the eight universities under his authority need to raise tuition in order to stay competitive. If approved, the increase would cost students at UT-Austin $152 per semester. Full Story

Analysis: Is a Move From the Texas House to the Senate a Clear Promotion?

By Ross Ramsey Feb. 10, 2016

Moving from the Texas House to the Texas Senate makes sense, but not for every politician: One current candidate for Senate — and a potential future one — each has more clout in the House than he or she would have in the Senate. Full Story

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, and state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio.

A Familiar Uresti-Madla Ballot In San Antonio

By Alexa Ura Feb. 10, 2016

The upcoming face-off between state Sen. Carlos Uresti of San Antonio and Helen Madla, the widow of the senator Uresti defeated in 2006, flips the script on a storied battle between two prominent San Antonio families. Full Story

Democrats candidates Helen Madla, left, and incumbent Carlos I. Uresti, right, run in the 2016 election for Texas Senate District 4.

With 4 Candidates in Health Care, Senate Race Stirs Unique Debate

By Edgar Walters Feb. 10, 2016

In a Republican primary cycle dominated by talk of illegal immigration and national security, four of the six candidates for an open state Senate seat have ties to the health care industry. Full Story

Top row, left to right: Jon Cobb, Brent Mayes, Dawn Buckingham.
Bottom row, left to right: Reed Williams, Susan King, Ryan Downton.

In Arlington Race, Challenger Says One Vote Speaks Volumes

By Matthew Watkins Feb. 8, 2016

Two years after knocking off an incumbent in the Republican primary, state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, is fighting off his own challenger who argues Tinderholt is out of the mainstream. Full Story

Incumbent Tony Tinderholt (l.) and opponent Andrew Piel are vying for the HD 94 seat in Arlington in the March 1 GOP primary. No Democrat is running.

Bongs and Fruitcakes Infuse Central Texas Republican House Race

By Julián Aguilar Feb. 5, 2016

Fourteen years after first being elected to the Texas House, state Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, faces what some consider his toughest re-election battle to date. Full Story

Republican candidates incumbent Byron Cook, left, and Thomas McNutt, right, run in the 2016 election for Texas House District 8.

Video: A Conversation with Trey Martinez Fischer

By Evan Smith Feb. 4, 2016

Full video of our 2/4 conversation with state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Texas Senate in District 26. Full Story

Jonathan Stickland Eats His Words in Vigorous Re-election Primary

By Morgan Smith Feb. 4, 2016

Bedford state Rep. Jonathan Stickland's challenger in the GOP primary for Texas House has dredged up more than 3,000 of Stickland's old posts on a fantasy football forum. It ain't pretty. Full Story

Republicans Scott W. Fisher, left, and incumbent Jonathan Stickland, right, run in the 2016 election for Texas House District 29.

In Fort Worth Race, Geren Faces Challenge From Family Friend

By Matthew Watkins Feb. 3, 2016

State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, is once again a target of conservative activists frustrated with House leadership. Geren says he's confident with his conservative credentials and will run on his record. Full Story

State Rep. Charlie Geren, left, is being challenged in the House District 99 Republican primary race by Bo French, right.

Molly White, Hugh Shine Get Personal in Central Texas House Race

By Edgar Walters Feb. 3, 2016

Incumbent Tea Party darling state Rep. Molly White and challenger Hugh Shine are clamoring to tell voters about the personal experiences they say most qualify them as the most ardent foes of abortion and illegal immigration. Full Story

Molly White, left, and Hugh Shine, right, face off in state House District 55.

As Supreme Court Prepares to Hear Historic Immigration Case, Texas Explains its Strategy

By Julián Aguilar Feb. 3, 2016

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a case challenging President Barack Obama's executive order on illegal immigration, the two top lawyers for Texas spoke to the Tribune about what the state is fighting for. Full Story

Texas First Assistant Attorney General Chip Roy and Solicitor General Scott Keller sat down with Tribune reporter Julián Aguilar on Feb. 1, 2016 to discuss an upcoming case on illegal immigration headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. — Credit: Shelby Knowles

Texas GOP v. Planned Parenthood: A Scorecard

By Alexa Ura Jan. 31, 2016

Almost six months ago, undercover videos purported to show Planned Parenthood official in Texas discussing illegal acts. Texas Republicans pounced, opening up multiple battlefronts against the embattled women’s health organization. Full Story

Video: Bending the Health Care Cost Curve

By Evan Smith Jan. 29, 2016

Our 1/28 conversation on bending the health care cost curve with Sue Bornstein of the Texas Medical Home Initiative, state Reps. Nicole Collier and Stephanie Klick, and Daniel Varga of Texas Health Resources. Full Story

Gooden, Spitzer Prepare for Round Three

By Julián Aguilar Jan. 29, 2016

Former state Rep. Lance Gooden wants his seat in the Texas House back, setting up a rubber match in the Republican primary for House District 4 with the man who beat him in 2014, Stuart Spitzer. Full Story

Republicans Lance Gooden, left, and incumbent Stuart Spitzer, right, run in the 2016 election for Texas House District 4.

Analysis: The Death of Taxes on Illegal Drugs

By Ross Ramsey Jan. 29, 2016

Until the most recent legislative session, the state had a tax on illegal drugs, adding tax evasion to the list of things that could put buyers and sellers into jail. Those drugs remain illegal, but the transactions are now tax-free. Full Story