The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The lawsuit paints the clearest picture yet about what motivated the whistleblowers to come forward against Paxton, the state’s top legal authority, and the retribution they say they experienced after they made that report. Full Story
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Because Republicans in the state House and Senate held onto their 20-year majority, they are positioned to further entrench their power until the next redistricting rolls around in 2031. Full Story
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Trump flipped a couple of historically Democratic counties on the Texas border this year. But in many cases, his showing didn't benefit the other Republicans on the ticket. Full Story
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A state district judge permitted the El Paso shutdown to stand last week pending a final resolution of the case, but the 8th Court of Appeals paused the shutdown until a final decision is made. That could come as soon as Friday. Full Story
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State lawmakers argue that the tax revenue and jobs created by a retail market for cannabis could help the state devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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Paxton has spent much of his time in public life haunted by accusations of illegal or unethical behavior, causing quiet discomfort among some Republican colleagues. He’s always held on. Will this time be different? Full Story
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Republican officeholders couldn't have had a better election in Texas this year, but they've still got noisy and loud critics — inside their own political party. Full Story
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Texas argues the entire law must fall after Congress zeroed out one critical provision. Several justices seemed unconvinced. Full Story
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On Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a Texas-led challenge to the landmark health law. Full Story
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Thousands of bills are expected to be filed during the legislative session, when lawmakers will tackle issues including the next state budget and redrawing the state's political maps. Full Story
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The seasonal change in Texas politics and government always seems fast, and it's upon us again. Lawmakers, elected last Tuesday, start filing legislation Monday, even as they fill campaign accounts in advance of the legislative session that starts in January. Full Story
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Paul’s testimony included a reference to having hired a woman who, according to two people who were told by Paxton, was involved in an extramarital relationship with the attorney general. Full Story
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If you're going by the numbers of Republican and Democratic winners, nothing really happened in the general election in Texas this year. But there's a lot beneath the numbers. Full Story
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The regulation applies to new supportive housing projects, which provide subsidized homes and social services. Gov. Greg Abbott still needs to approve the rule by Dec. 1. Full Story
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In formal complaints, six whistleblowers allege they were retaliated against after reporting Paxton — with a “hostile” work environment that included being kept from attending important meetings and empty cardboard boxes delivered near their offices. Full Story
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In Texas, at least 66% of the 17 million registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 general election. That’s 6.6 percentage points higher than total turnout in 2016. Full Story
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Democrats once again won a large number of counties along or near the Texas-Mexico border, but by narrower margins than in recent elections. That showing played a big role in disappointing results for the state’s Democrats. Full Story
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Texas Republicans might not be able to do everything their most ardent partisans would like, but Tuesday's election left them in the driver's seat in what remains a GOP-controlled state government. Full Story
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This year proved another disappointment for Texas Democrats, who underperformed the high expectations they had set for themselves, particularly in a hotly contested battle for dominance in the Texas House. Full Story
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Wright defeated Democrat Chrysta Castañeda. The commission's elected, three-member board has been entirely Republican for at least 25 years. Full Story
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