Three conservative Republicans known for compromise on divisive topics did not seek reelection, while a seat representing the Rio Grande Valley could sway in either political direction.
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
Data Centers in Texas
Texas environmental agency shuts down online permit filing system after data center controversy
Texas environmental officials disabled an online filing system after watchdog groups raised concerns about the agency issuing permits related to data centers.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
19 million Texans are registered to vote, breaking record
The number of Texans registered to vote jumped 2% from March even as the state struggles to process backlogged voter records.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
FEMA won’t help Texans after July 2026 floods as agency tells states to lead disaster response
Disaster recovery experts say FEMA individual assistance funds are critical for residents to cover short-term costs. Gov. Greg Abbott is considering an appeal.
Posted in
Environment
Texans didn’t know their neighborhood was built near an abandoned oil well spreading toxic fumes
As new neighborhoods are built in Texas, residents don’t always know they are living on top of old oilfields.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines issues series of “executive orders,” raising questions about his office’s authority
The authority to issue executive orders traditionally belongs to the chief executive, like the governor or a county judge.
Posted in
Foster Care in Texas
More than $320M in foster care reforms, oversight, enough to end court monitoring, state tells court
“Substantial” compliance to federal court-ordered improvements should be enough to end 15-year-old lawsuit, state argues
Posted in
Data Centers in Texas
Greg Abbott ordered a pause on data center permits. Critics say some plans still moved forward.
Public Citizen said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hadn’t stopped issuing data center permits as required. The agency said it was complying with the directive.
Posted in
Health care
Federal judge to weigh Texas bid to dismiss 15-year-old suit seeking foster care system reform
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will hold the first public hearing in two years this week on the lawsuit, which prompted constant court oversight of the troubled system.
Posted in
Texas affordability crisis
Hundreds of thousands of potentially eligible Texas homeowners aren’t claiming their property tax savings
Homeowners aren’t claiming a homestead exemption because they do not know about it or find the process too complicated, experts say.
