Analyzing 2020: The pandemic recession in Texas
We've selected some columns from 2020 on the recession and the budget. Full Story
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Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.
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![COVID related street art on Sixth Street in downtown Austin on May 6th, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Some Texas officials would love to redirect your attention
President Donald Trump is a master of changing subjects, benefiting from our collective tendency to forget about what happened a year ago, or a week ago, or yesterday. Ambitious politicians lower on the food chain have been taking notes. Full Story
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![New Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks in the Texas Senate chamber following his swearing-in in early January. Greg Abbott listens as he will become the 49th Governor of Texas on Jan. 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: When mapmaking Texas politicians are smiling and quiet, pay attention
Remaking the state’s political maps — redistricting — is important. One way to tell is that the lawmakers making the maps do their dead-level best to avoid saying anything that might signal their intent. Full Story
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![The House floor during the 86th legislative session. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texans might be ready for casinos, but lawmakers aren’t convinced
Casinos are making a serious run at Texas lawmakers, hoping to open up to five gaming destinations in a state that has resisted them for years. But gaming in Texas hasn’t been expanded in almost three decades. Full Story
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![A woman is seen reflected wearing a protective face mask, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, outside a closed poker room in a casino in New Orleans on Aug. 30, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton -
Analysis: Ken Paxton, Texas’ top lawyer, plays for an audience of one
The attorney general’s challenge to the election results in four other states baffles many lawyers, but President Donald Trump likes it. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton greets President Donald Trump as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick follows at Austin Bergstrom International Airport in 2019.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
Analysis: Adding a new tax might be easier than ending an old tax break
It might seem that closing tax loopholes and ending exemptions would be an easy way to balance a state budget during a pandemic. It's not. In fact, that might be the hardest option available. Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives chamber on Nov. 20, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: COVID-19 vaccines are coming to Texas, along with a ranking of who’s most essential
Great news: The COVID-19 vaccines are coming. Not-so-great news: There won't be enough for all of us for a while, and that means the first doses will go to people deemed essential. Full Story
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![An employee opens an ultra-cold refrigerator filled with COVID-19 vaccines at a secret storage facility in the Rhein-Main area in Germany on Dec. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski -
Analysis: Leading by (bad) example
Austin Mayor Steve Adler's delivery of a stay-home message from a vacation spot in Mexico isn't just embarrassing. Mistakes like that one make it harder to lead. Full Story
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![Austin Mayor Steve Adler looks at his speech before a press conference in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s comments about the city’s homeless ordinance. Oct. 2, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Despite vaccine hopes, lawmakers plan for more months of pandemic
The state's leaders are as anxious as everyone else to talk about vaccines and a Texas without the coronavirus. But this is going to take time, and while they're hopeful, they are planning for more months of pandemic. Full Story
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![State Affairs Committee member Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, at the hearing on Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, on March 15, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas elections are over. Now it's time to govern.
The seasons change in the political world, too. We're in that periodic move from electioneering to governing. The Washington version is noisy. The Texas version is a bit quieter, but it's underway. Full Story
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![Exterior of the state Capitol on Nov. 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune