National GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
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.
Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contracts
The program will now only be eligible for service-disabled veterans. It will be called Veteran Heroes United in Business.
Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s Day
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas will open sometime next year. Visitors can reserve spots for a sneak peek on New Year’s Day.
As appeals court is poised to consider Texas’ Ten Commandments law, other legal challenges mount
The judges opting to hear the cases together marks a significant development in a saga that many believe will reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court
Cases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
Hundreds of Texas voters flagged as potential noncitizens may have already proven their citizenship
The Secretary of State’s Office didn’t initially check with the Department of Public Safety, which collects proof of citizenship from people who register to vote through them.
Even as SNAP resumes, new federal work rules threaten access for some Texans
Under new requirements, “able-bodied” recipients could lose access to benefits for three years if they go three months without documenting working hours.
As Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforced
Some trans Texans worry that the lack of specificity on how the law will be enforced will harm their safety and lives.
Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4,000%
Some Texas overnight summer camps may start paying as much as $19,500 per year to renew their license with the state. Currently, they pay $464.
Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.
Increased costs in food and payroll at child care centers effectively wiped out the one-time investment state lawmakers approved earlier this year, a new report found.

