Smithee has represented the Panhandle in the Texas House for 40 years. He ran for speaker last year and most recently served as chair of the criminal jurisprudence committee.
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.
Posted in
State Government
Dan Patrick pledges $1 million in campaign funds to install Turning Point USA at every Texas college and high school
Turning Point USA was founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Posted in
State Government
Texas sues Roblox, alleging the online gaming platform endangers children
Texas is the third state to sue the platform, alongside dozens of private plaintiffs who say Roblox didn’t do enough to protect their kids from sexually explicit content.
Posted in
Running Out: Texas’ Water Crisis
Will Texas actually run out of water? Your questions about the state’s water supply answered.
You asked our AI chatbot about Texas’ water supply. We answered some of the questions that it couldn’t.
Posted in
Courts
Texas ban on sexually explicit drag shows can be enforced, federal appeals court rules
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling suggested not all drag shows are sexually explicit.
Posted in
Economy
Dallas, Houston airports will see flights cut starting Friday
The Federal Aviation Administration will cut air traffic by 10% across 40 U.S. airports.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts ahead
Even voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.
Posted in
2025 Texas Elections
A near upset in North Texas Senate race jolts frayed Democratic hopes ahead of 2026
Democrat Taylor Rehmet came within three percentage points of winning Senate District 9 — which voted for Donald Trump by over 17 points in 2024 — over his two Republican opponents.
Posted in
2025 Texas Elections
All 17 Texas Constitutional amendments pass
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
Posted in
Health care
“We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefits
Although the federal government has said it will deposit half of November benefits, Texans are still unsure when money will land in their accounts.