Session Ends In a Fit of Rage
House members mark Sine Die by threatening each other with violence.
Articles by R.G. Ratcliffe
House Appeases Dan Patrick by Passing a Bathroom Bill
The House passes what could be called Patrick Lite.
Patrick Backs Straus Into a Corner
Lieutenant governor threatens to force repeated special sessions unless his agenda is passed.
Why John Cornyn Would Want to be FBI Director
Cornyn's main motivation for wanting to head the FBI? His political career hit a dead end soon.
Abbott Appointee Had Role in Trump Removing Iraq from Travel Ban
HHSC inspector general resigns after Texas Monthly raises questions about his work on behalf of the Iraqi government.
Abbott Bypasses the Mainstream Media with Facebook Live
Governor controls the spotlight as he signs a sanctuary city ban into law.
Will Texas Republicans Suffer for Their Obamacare Vote?
Nearly 700,000 Texans have ACA insurance in districts represented by Republicans who voted to eliminate it.
The Partisans Are Coming for Your Cities and Schools
Democrats and Republicans are turning non-partisan elections partisan.
The Business Lobby Surrenders on Sanctuary Cities
Five years after killing an anti-immigration bill, Texas businesses are now focused on bathrooms.
Joaquin Castro Steps Away from Challenging Ted Cruz
Castro’s decision leaves Beto O’Rourke as the lone Democrat in the U.S. Senate race.
‘They Are All My People’
For representatives Ana Hernandez and Gene Wu, Wednesday's immigration debate in the House was personal.
The Texas Style of Paranoia
Conspiracy theories in the state didn’t just start with Alex Jones.
Hillary Clinton as the Straw of Hope for Texas Democrats
Hillary Clinton carried three congressional districts that reelected their GOP congressmen. Is that good news for Texas Democrats?
Poll Says Majority of Texans Disappointed by Trump
Results also has some early signs of possible trouble for Ted Cruz.
Texans Support Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants
But the Texas Lyceum survey found Republicans back deportation.
Governor Abbott Chooses a Bathroom Bill to Support
Abbott seems to support the House solution to the bathroom debacle.
Senators: Russians May Take Control of Houston-based CITGO
A Venezuelan loan default could give Putin a stake in Texas oil refining.
The House Mugged Dan Patrick
During fifteen hours of debate, the House rejected the tea party agenda.
Senate Budget Slams Texas’s Colleges and Universities
Upper chamber’s version of the budget would slice $219 million from higher education.
Beto O’Rourke Talks About Bipartisanship, PACs, and Marijuana
An interview with the Democrat challenging Ted Cruz.
Beto O’Rourke Wants to End the War On Drugs as We Know It
Is Texas ready for statewide candidate who wants to legalize marijuana?
Is Beto O’Rourke On a ‘Suicide Mission’?
The El Paso Democrat faces long odds against Ted Cruz.
The Latest Gambit to Save the Bathroom Bill
On Tuesday, social conservatives may try to attach the controversial measure to an oil-and-gas bill.
Travis County Led the Nation in Refusing Immigration Detainers
But Governor Abbott erroneously claims the sheriff released the inmates out into the streets.
Frisco ISD Fights Back on Ken Paxton’s Claims About Muslim Prayer Room
Paxton defends questioning Muslim prayer room on "Fox and Friends."
R.G.’s Roundup: Uncertainty in the Trump Era for Big Bend and Border Business on Fury Road
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Two Texas Congressmen’s Cannonball Run
What do you get when a Democratic congressman from El Paso goes on a road trip with a Republican from San Antonio? An internet sensation.
The Great Republican Rift
The bathroom bill is the latest issue to expose the split between social conservatives and business Republicans.
R.G.’s Roundup: Trump’s Words, U.T.’s Troubles, and Dyslexia Services
Our favorite political reads of the week.
NAFTA Talk Probably Won’t Start Until 2018
Commerce secretary predicts a slow start, but any changes could affect Texas.
Stocks Roil on Oil Prices; Surplus Predicted for Months
French oil company chairman says not to expect big investments.
No, Sam Houston State University Isn’t Paying Students To Take White Privilege Or Black Lives Matter Classes
University officials rushing to debunk 'Infowars' story.
A Tale of Two Legislatures
On Tuesday we'll see bathrooms as a Christian issue in the Senate, while the House tries to reform school finance.
Will Vouchers Save the Schools or Starve Them?
Senator Huffines’s outburst to students shows the fervor of the debate.
R.G.’s Roundup: Trump, Protests, and ‘the Enemy’ of the People
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Dan Patrick Praises Film Incentives
The lieutenant governor wants Texas to be a film capital.
Protests Against Oil and Gas Go Local
The head of the Texas Oil and Gas Association says environmentalists are trying to block production.
Latinos Won’t Turn Texas Blue Anytime Soon
Growing Latino vote may be years away from deciding statewide elections.
Immigration Memo Puts Spotlight on Abbott
Governor says there are no plans to use National Guard to detain immigrants.
R.G.’s Roundup: Sex Trafficking, Talking About Race, and a Voter-Fraud Unicorn
Our favorite political reads of the week.
FBI Raids State Senator’s Law Office
Carlos Uresti linked to fraud investigation of defunct company.
Are Your Property Taxes Too High? Thank a Legislator.
Property taxpayers will cover sixty percent of school costs. How did it come to this?
R.G.’s Roundup: A Regulator in Conflict, Happy Trump Voters, and Teacher Sex
Our favorite political reads of the week.
A 40-Cent per Gallon Price Increase Predicted for Gasoline
If an import tax proposal goes through, refineries would have to pass costs on to consumers.