The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The dearth of competitive down-ballot races could contrast with the last few election cycles in Texas, when multiple congressional seats and state legislative seats drew significant national investment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/96fd2d0c5403ae10e7602a1d7d4fe7b0/Trump%20Rally%20Robstown%20AP%20TT%2004.jpg)
Lawmakers will decide whether to keep protections that shielded tenants from eviction — or to ban them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/20/Foster_Jerod-1258.jpg)
The priority bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, reverses a change the Legislature made two years ago during an omnibus voting bill that made illegal voting a misdemeanor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bfdead4c9af0c3ee4dbb72775107d53d/Election%20Day%20San%20Marcos%20EH%20TT%2006.jpg)
If Texas’ budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Here’s how to put the big number into perspective. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3922a316909b9d00ad3eba871cbae39/budget-surplus-lede-art.png)
A lack of lawmaker support jeopardizes the attorney general’s $3.3 million settlement, which would resolve a lawsuit alleging Paxton fired high-ranking deputies who accused him of misconduct. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a87a413a52e2fbcb4a64b69de1112dfa/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20BD%20TT%2039.jpg)
House Bill 20 by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would test the boundaries of the state’s ability to enforce immigration law, which courts have historically ruled falls under federal purview. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d9284ea9562acc18bb3c7569628b1f9c/Operation%20Lone%20Star%20VGC%2039.jpg)
The bills are part of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s list of priorities and, if passed as filed, could have profound impacts on how Texas universities recruit top faculty and other employees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e60853f1ab2b82bb9e674a674f0ca25/03_University_of_Houston_MS_TT.jpg)
In this week’s episode, James speaks with former White House press secretary Jen Psaki as she prepares to transition to hosting a new show on MSNBC. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac4072b9d8dcd39ddc9f293e4234aa55/TribCast%20March%209.jpg)
Under Senate Bill 23, all felonies involving a gun would incur a mandatory 10-year prison sentence. It’s meant to curb crime, despite the lack of correlation between harsher sentences and crime rates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/710d1b396057cfda720b7dce4357c2e4/San%20Marcos%20Gun%20Show%20JV%20TT%2003.jpg)
Gun policy reform is the best way to address school safety, according to experts on a panel in Austin. They also cautioned against doubling down on surveillance technology. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51889144bf0d15cbc39961cd988b0705/0906%20First%20Day%20of%20School%20S1%20EL%2002.jpg)
Incidents increased by 61% in Texas and 38% nationally last year, driven by what experts say is an increasing normalization of extremism in political discourse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bf324a0c5213e1954fc95827bc22df2c/Patriot%20Front%20Houston%20REUTERS.jpg)
The Austin Republican’s tacit approval only adds fuel to the fire for Texas Democrats recoiling at the report that the Biden administration could detain asylum-seekers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b60a7f781dd0fc764491543bb48ef982/Roma%20Migrants%20CBP%20EG%20TT%2015.jpg)
More than nine months after the Uvalde school shooting, top GOP lawmakers maintain focus on school safety reforms and investments in mental health resources in hopes it will prevent future tragedies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/531efa5a12cd1208fc39fe4ba1f4b55c/Harrold%20GUNS%2001%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Lawyers for four former employees who accused the attorney general of firing them for reporting alleged crimes to authorities say Paxton won’t agree to finalizing the deadline by the end of this legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5e8263bd9bd09dcf4cbad91139f8b33e/SCOTUS%20Paxton%20Presser%20TT%20EL%2008.jpg)
In its first bill passed this session, the Texas Senate sought to ensure juvenile mental health hospitalizations are reported to the federal firearm background check system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2627b407d3e30e48f1db7b9fcbe09523/0226%20CC%20Gun%20Show%20BY%20TT%2007.jpg)
Budget proposals would boost state spending for the current budget cycle for projects ranging from mental health hospitals to state pay raises. This would leave $27 billion in surplus for the next two years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8d102dd96106014d2df3b05fc1ed4049/Capitol%20File%20Jan%202022%20JV%20TT%2029)
Texas and America are at a pivotal moment. With the 2024 elections looming, we have a cornucopia of talks and ideas planned. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43fe83cfee62e19b77162f284a2d6877/TTF23-SaveTheDate-TSquared-3000x2000.png)
The Texas Legislature has nine lawmakers who are openly LGBTQ, all Democrats. At the same time, some Republican lawmakers are pushing a slate of bills aimed at drag queens, transgender children and how sexuality is discussed in schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4981795cf2f021ce4e5e7802110b0671/LGBTQ%20Lawmakers%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
The Legislature banned puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans kids, restricted the college sports teams trans athletes can join and expanded the definition of sexual conduct to include some drag shows. But a “Don’t Say Gay” provision for schools missed key deadlines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/be1bac3ef97fecd6f182dbc4d60920ab/Stonewall%20Rally%20LGBTQ%20AP%20TT.jpg)
The judge also issued a fine of almost $182,000, citing Paul’s conduct in a legal dispute with an Austin nonprofit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ce8ebfa173a1d9d353d1d1c615cfa38d/Nate%20Paul%2001%20TT.jpg)