Rising costs, slowing tax revenue and a sluggish economy have saddled some of Texas’ biggest cities with multimillion-dollar deficits.
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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Public Education
Texas’ school A-F grades relatively flat as Austin ISD inches closer to takeover
Austin ISD had two campuses failing state ratings for five consecutive years.
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Energy
Texas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
The state’s power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott’s directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.
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Economy
Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Without key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.
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Courts
Texas’ mail ballot ID requirements restored by federal appeals court
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rebuked the lower court’s 2025 ruling that struck down nine provisions of a sweeping election law related to voter assistance.
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Health care
Baby at center of surrogacy rights case is born in Dallas
The biological parents won a temporary restraining order against the surrogate, who tried to claim parental rights, and are with their baby, their attorneys say.
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Economy
Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The Texas Broadband office made the announcement after facing scrutiny from lawmakers for changing the rules to seemingly favor companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.
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Public Education
Inappropriate relationships should land Texas teachers in prison for 10 years, Gov. Abbott says
Gov. Greg Abbott wants teachers convicted of such misconduct with a student to face 10-year minimums in prison sentences with no parole.
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Health care
Surrogate asks Texas court to let her seek medical care on the baby she’s carrying, AG Paxton says
An Alaskan surrogate has traveled to Texas for legal protection after a California couple has refused treatment for a severe heart condition.
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Health care
Texas fights court ruling requiring that defendants get quicker access to psychiatric hospitals
A federal judge recently ruled that Texas must give defendants who are mentally incompetent to stand trial a state hospital bed within 21 days.
