The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick and Brandon about the dueling Trump/O’Rourke rallies in El Paso, an apology from the secretary of state, where Texas lawmakers are headed on property tax reform and yet another San Antonio special election. Full Story
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In a letter sent to lawmakers late Wednesday, David Whitley said he's sorry for the way he launched the review efforts but appeared not to be backing down from continuing the review. Full Story
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The governor has laid out his legislative priorities. In our latest "Under the Dome" episode, we look at the challenges lawmakers face in addressing the issues of property taxes and school finance. Full Story
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In addition to the six House members, there are six female Republicans in the state Senate. Republican lawmakers and political operatives are hoping to make moves now to get those numbers up after the 2020 election. Full Story
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The two beer industry groups struck a deal this week that could end a years-long political fight. Full Story
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Voters will decide the successor to former state Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who was elected to the Texas Senate in December. Full Story
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The former Democratic congressman and U.S. Senate candidate avoided talking about 2020 on Monday — but it was virtually unavoidable as he starred in a split-screen night with President Donald Trump. Full Story
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“It’s going to take us a while to get out of this backlog that we’re in, but we’re doing the things necessary to help more consumers,” a state official said. Full Story
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As the president kicked off his re-election campaign and tried to marshal support for his border wall, one of his possible 2020 opponents spoke to thousands across the street in a counter-rally. Full Story
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A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature's school finance bill before they vote on property taxes. Full Story
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President Donald Trump visited El Paso for his first campaign rally in the border city. Full Story
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The rally comes as O'Rourke enters the final stages of deliberation over a potential presidential campaign. Full Story
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Some lawmakers had fretted that sending the preliminary, faulty list to the state's top prosecutor would intimidate voters. Full Story
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An appointment to the high court would require a two-thirds confirmation vote, potentially handing Texas Senate Democrats an important bargaining chip in the contentious legislative debates to come. Full Story
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Donations to the inauguration are not deemed political contributions under state statute. And the inaugural committee, whose creation is mandated by law, is not required to make financial disclosures before this summer. Full Story
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After last year's massacre at Santa Fe High School, survivors told lawmakers the school safety measures they want to see enacted during this year's legislative session. How many of them will become law? Full Story
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The secretary of state's office has faced criticism for its handling of efforts to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered voters. Now, Secretary of State David Whitley — a Gov. Greg Abbott appointee — faces a confirmation hearing. Full Story
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On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Patrick, Cassi and Alexa about Beto O’Rourke’s visit with Oprah Winfrey, the latest on the lawsuits filed over Texas’ voter citizenship review, and the news out of the State of the State and the State of the Union. Full Story
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In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections. Full Story
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This will be the president's seventh rally in Texas and his first in El Paso. Full Story
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