An East Texas city goes secular for the holidays, rejecting a menorah in downtown holiday display
Smith County’s top elected official said the downtown square’s holiday decorations policy seeks to avoid a “hodgepodge.” Full Story
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![The menorah at the Texas Capitol, on Dec. 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
We ranked Texas House members along the ideological spectrum based on their 2023 votes
Here’s a look at House members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on their votes cast during the 2023 regular session and four special sessions. Full Story
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![Members vote to approve an anti-voucher amendment brought by state rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, during a marathon session on the House floor to approve HB-1 at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Congress greenlights psychedelic treatment bill for active duty service members suffering from PTSD
The measure would allow superv ised clinical studies with active duty members. Psychedelic treatments for PTSD have found conservative supporters in the state for years. Full Story
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![U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) speaks at a press conference on psychedelics in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Washington, U.S., July 13, 2023.]()
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Ken Paxton’s impeachment cost Texas taxpayers more than $4 million
The bulk of the costs came from bills from Rusty Hardin’s law firm, according to records released this week. Full Story
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![From left, House Impeachment Manager Andrew Murr, R-Junction speaks with prosecution lawyers Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin during a short recess on the second day of the impeachment trial for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Austin.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Three court of criminal appeal judges up for reelection targeted by Ken Paxton’s political revenge machine
Paxton promised to go after the Republican judges over their 2021 ruling that struck down the attorney general’s ability to unilaterally prosecute voter fraud. Full Story
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![From left: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter, Judge Barbara Hervey and Presiding Judge Sharon Keller.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
After pause, this Texas city is set to reconsider banning travel to access an abortion
A handful of local governments have already put the legally dubious bans in place. The news that Amarillo will take the issue up again comes shortly after a Dallas woman left the state for an abortion after losing a legal battle to obtain one here. Full Story
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![Downtown Amarillo, Thursday May 28, 2020. Potter and Randall Counties have been under extra scrutiny as a Covid-19 hotspot.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas attorney general sues company accused of preying on veterans
The attorney general’s charges against VA Claims Insider echo allegations in an investigation The Texas Tribune published in July. Full Story
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![A photo of Brian Reese on VA Claims Insider Facebook page.]()
Credit: Facebook -
The field for the Texas primary election is set — here’s what to watch for
With both Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton out for revenge, Republican members of the Texas House are the top target on the ballot. Full Story
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![An empty chair on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
I’m a Texas homeowner. When will I see my tax cut?
Tax policy is messy. Here are a few tips to help you understand what the recent voter-approved tax cuts mean for your mortgage. Full Story
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![Homes along central Longview's Centenary Drive on Friday Dec. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune -
Tim Dunn, the powerhouse GOP donor, to sell his West Texas oil company for $12 billion
Tim Dunn has used his wealth to establish a network of organizations that push his ultraconservative views across Texas. The deal comes amid a time of consolidation in the Permian Basin. Full Story
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![Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating and chairman of Empower Texans, speaks during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.]()
Credit: Brett Buchanan for The Texas Tribune -
Sheila Jackson Lee files for reelection for U.S. House seat after losing in mayoral race
State Sen. John Whitmire, a fellow Houston Democrat, defeated Jackson Lee in a landslide Saturday. Full Story
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![Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during an EPA meeting on April 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Victoria Neave Criado challenges fellow Dallas Democrat Sen. Nathan Johnson
Neave Craido revealed her decision to the Dallas Morning News in an interview published Monday, saying Johnson has not fought hard enough to push back against the Republican agenda. Full Story
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Texas superintendents say lack of school safety funding may lead to budget cuts
The fourth special legislative session this year ended without any increased funding for school safety — even though public schools have complained for months they don’t have enough money to meet new safety mandates approved this year. Full Story
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![An Austin Independent School District police vehicle sits outside of McCallum High School in Austin, on Dec. 28, 2012.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Mary Nan Huffman declares victory over Tony Buzbee in Houston City Council race
Buzbee challenged Mary Nan Huffman, the incumbent, who was backed by the Texas GOP and local Republican officials. Full Story
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![Mary Nan Huffman, candidate for Houston City Council District G, talks with people at Nottingham Elementary School, 570 Nottingham Oaks Trail, on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.]()
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State Sen. John Whitmire elected Houston mayor, AP reports
Whitmire defeated U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to be the next mayor of Texas’ largest city and the fourth largest city in the U.S. Full Story
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![Senator John Whitmire speaks to supporters during a campaign watch party during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
With the Mavericks, Miriam Adelson is poised to be a Texas political powerhouse. Will it help her legalize casinos?
Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby. Full Story
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![Miriam Adelson delivers a keynote speech at the Texas Association of Business Policy Conference on Dec. 7, 2023, in Austin.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
As Israel-Hamas war sparks tensions on Texas campuses, universities struggle with how to respond
A series of incidents across Texas campuses have brought attention to universities’ handling of heated political debates about the war. Full Story
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![Thousands of Texans march in support for Palestine in downtown Austin on Nov. 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Conservative consulting group rebrands with new name after leader met with white supremacist Nick Fuentes
In a Nov. 13 filing with the Texas Secretary of State, an attorney for Pale Horse Strategies LLC wrote that the firm would also conduct future business under the name “West Fort Worth Management LLC.” Full Story
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![State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the House floor on May 21, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Ted Cruz pushes for car manufacturers to keep AM radio, a tool for emergency communication and conservative talk
Cruz on Tuesday requested a unanimous consent decision on his AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The legislation was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who said the mandate on private companies would be an overstep of congressional power. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz exits a truck after visiting the People’s Convoy in Washington, D.C. on March 10, 2022.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for the Texas Tribune -
Texas claims in filings that challenges to 2023 election are invalid, results are final
In court filings Tuesday, the secretary of state’s office argued that the plaintiffs in the election contests “never served a citation” properly. But there’s no guarantee it’ll work. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune
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