Paxton is banking on his recent lawsuits against tech and social media companies like Meta, WhatsApp and Discord to win a Senate seat, building on notable victories in years past.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
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2026 Texas Elections
National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target list
Republicans would have just a 76-74 majority in the Texas House if the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee succeeds in flipping its targeted GOP districts.
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State Government
Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers
The policy change was announced hours after the Department of Public Safety removed the Spanish language option for commercial driver’s license tests to align with federal guidance.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson stepping down
Nelson’s office oversees elections. Abbott appointed her to the role in 2023 after she became the longest-serving Republican woman in Texas Senate history.
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State Government
Texas Children’s Hospital’s detransition clinic to launch this year, will include mental health and endocrinology services
The Houston hospital must set up the facility within 90 days of signing a settlement agreement with the Texas attorney general and and create a list of potential gender affirming patients, according to a document obtained by The Texas Tribune.
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Data Centers in Texas
Eight data centers threaten to transform this small Texas county. Local officials say they have no power to stop them.
At least 248 data centers are planned to be built in Texas. Of those, nearly half will be built in unincorporated areas, where county officials are limited in their ability to regulate development, according to a Texas Tribune analysis.
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Public Education
Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boost
Public school leaders told lawmakers how they’re navigating finances, teacher quality and special education after last year’s state funding overhaul.
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State Government
Texas’ app age verification law allowed to go into effect for now
A federal appeals court allowed Texas to require app stores to verify users’ ages and seek parental consent before a minor can download apps.
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Courts
Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool party
Two LGBTQ+ groups called the lawsuit “frivolous,” saying plans for the event at a public pool had already changed to comply with a new Texas law.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas using DPS records to confirm citizenship of voters flagged by federal database
County officials found that hundreds of the flagged voters registered through DPS, which requires proof of citizenship.
