The U.S. Senate must confirm the appointment. The Granbury Republican previously announced he would not seek another Texas Senate term.
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.
Feds slash the budget for program that helped 65,000 Texans enroll for health insurance
With the Affordable Care Act navigator budget cut by 90%, nonprofits are seeking ways to fund their efforts to bring more of the state’s uninsured into regular health care.
How two Texas redistricting cases, 37 years apart, set the stage for the latest congressional redraw
The 5th Circuit last year overturned its previous ruling that allowed racial groups to band together to challenge voting maps, laying the groundwork for Texas’ mid-decade redistricting.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders state to sweep Austin homeless camps as city launches its own effort
Homelessness has been a perennial problem in Texas’ capital city. Local officials are asking voters to raise taxes to ease the problem.
Trans Texas college students bearing more hostility as officials push binary gender definitions
Once considered a safe haven to explore identity, Texas campuses are invalidating and alienating trans people, students say.
Election officials ask Texas to halt rollout of updated voter registration system
With early voting just days away, counties say they’re running out of time to get their complaints addressed.
3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continues
Texas officials say food stamp benefits, which go to 1.7 million children, would not be distributed in November under an extended shutdown.
Gov. Abbott activates Texas National Guard ahead of “No Kings” protest in Austin
Austin’s mayor clarified in a statement later Thursday that the troops would not be on the streets unless there was “emergency need.”
Abbott sets special election in May for empty Texas Senate seat
The district was left without representation when Republican Brandon Creighton resigned to become chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
It’s brown and burns your eyes. In small town Texas, clean water can be elusive.
Plagued by weather extremes, communities that need help improving water quality are being left behind.

