The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
Wal-Mart is ginning up a full-bore liquor war and bringing it to the Capitol. Last week it sued the state for the right to sell spirits, and Wednesday it joined Kroger in forming a new nonprofit to promote freedom in the booze marketplace. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-2.jpg)
Our newest political reporter will chase and break quick-turn stories from the Legislature and the 2016 campaign trail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/NewHire.jpg)
Tesla Motors is ramping up its lobbying efforts to change a Texas law requiring that new cars be sold through franchised dealerships. But some dealers say they'd like a shot at moving a few of the luxury, all-electric cars. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A0775.jpg)
State Rep. José Menéndez handily won election to the state Senate after a high-dollar, contentious race against House colleague Trey Martinez Fischer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8154446431cfff64292894ff8fbb3dd7/BD%20INC%20Mendez%2001%202013)
Four more seats in the Legislature are finally decided, with José Menéndez romping to win San Antonio's Senate seat. Two Republicans and a Democrat are headed for the House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/20/Menendez_TMF_copy.jpg)
Texas immigration attorneys are telling their clients not to panic following a federal court ruling that temporarily halted President Obama’s November executive action. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/18/TxTrib-ImmigrationRally005.jpg)
A round of Capitol musical chairs will play out on Tuesday when voters decide who will fill three seats in the Texas House and one in the Senate. Full Story
Advocates for ethics reform say Gov. Greg Abbott has a rare chance to help spearhead improved lawmaker disclosures and reduce conflicts of interest. Abbott is expected to address ethics reform Tuesday in his State of the State address. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/13/_S3R7957Abbott.jpg)
A Brownsville federal judge dropped a late-night legal bombshell Monday night, halting President Obama's executive action on immigration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/24/AbbottAG866.jpg)
On this Presidents' Day, we're rolling out a special new feature for those of you — like us — who can't get enough presidential politics: free email blasts alerting you to every new 2016 headline on our site. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/23/FourTexasPresCands.jpg)
After Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a proposal to extend the National Guard's stay along the Texas-Mexico border, House Speaker Joe Straus said in effect that such power lies with Gov. Greg Abbott. That's not the only issue causing a potential House-Senate divide. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/20/TribFest_Straus203.jpg)
Bipartisan appears to be a dirty word in a couple of the special election contests set to be finally decided on Tuesday. Full Story
After taking his Lone Star swagger 2,000 miles east to New Hampshire last week, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry released a new web ad on Sunday celebrating the Granite State's independence. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/15/Perry_screenshot_copy.jpg)
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the Big Three: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/15/Ross_Inside_Feb_15.jpg)
The committee that organized the January inauguration for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a list of contributors Friday that includes Democratic politicians, NFL stars and former Gov. Rick Perry’s lawyer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/20/Abbott_Speech_copy.jpg)
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has hired Austin-based fundraiser Susan Lilly for his likely presidential campaign, according to two Republican sources. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/02/Scott__Walker_Iowa_Freedom_edit.jpg)
U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, has formally denied claims that he sexually harassed and discriminated against one of his former employees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7bb2b4388be7d7f2a310943612968069/BD%20INC%20Farenthold%2007%202011)
The Texas Ethics Commission gave approval on Friday to a $40 increase in what lawmakers are given to cover daily expenses while in Austin, which amounts to a $5,600 increase in their pay over the course of the 140-day regular session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/IMG_9736.jpg)
The Kroll report, which looked into the admissions process at UT-Austin and whether some well-connected people had too much influence on that process, surfaced on Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/19/UTBOR_Hall237.jpg)
Citing recent court decisions legalizing gay marriage in Alabama, plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage are asking a federal appeals court to clear the way for marriages in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/11/GayMarriage-Court.jpg)