Rita Clements, The Power Behind a Governor, Dies at 86
The former First Lady of Texas was more than just a hostess. She was a political partner for Governor Bill Clements.
Burka Blog
Border & Immigration
January 3, 2018
U.S. Immigration Director Threatens to Jail Elected Officials in Sanctuary Cities
Texas mayors call ICE Director Thomas Homan’s desire to prosecute elected officials ”hogwash” and un-American.
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2018
“Will Rap 4 Weed” and Other Independent Candidates for Governor You Probably Won’t Hear About Again in 2018
Seventy people filed as independent candidates for the November ballot, but state law likely will prevent them from being there.
Politics & Policy
December 28, 2017
The Republican Tax Bill Likely Will Add to the Coming Explosion in the National Debt
Guest column: Dissembling political parties are guilty of adding to the eventual debt crisis.
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2017
Ken Paxton Rules That Licensed Handgun Owners Can Bring a Firearm to Church
The attorney general issued the opinion to provide legal options for improving church security in Texas.
Politics & Policy
December 20, 2017
Enjoy Your Eight-year, Temporary Federal Tax Cuts
Millions of Texans will feel the impact of changes to individual tax breaks, health care penalties, and property tax deductions.
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2017
Updated: Ted Cruz Scores a Victory on Funding for Private Schools
Cruz could secure more money in tax cuts for private schools and homeschools than Greg Abbott or Dan Patrick have gotten from the state.
Politics & Policy
December 15, 2017
University Presidents Say Tax Reform Policy Will Hurt Texas Higher Education
Guest Column: University of Texas, Trinity University presidents believe the Congressional tax reform bill will limit endowments, student aid.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2017
Blake Farenthold Withdraws from Re-election But Will Likely Remain on Ballot
The Congressman will appear on the re-election ballot unless the Republican Party declares him ineligible to serve.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2017
The Painful Similarities Between Alabama and Texas Politics
Just substitute Roy Moore for ’bathroom bill.’
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2017
How Democrats Are Working to Build Statewide Victory
The Texas Democratic Party can't rely on a superstar to save it. But rebuilding the party from the county level up might work.
Politics & Policy
December 8, 2017
Jerry Patterson Won’t Let George P. Bush Forget the Alamo
The former land commissioner is challenging Bush in the primary to stop him from changing the Shrine of Texas.
Politics & Policy
December 8, 2017
Julián Castro’s Road to the White House Begins in Arizona
The former San Antonio mayor speaks with Phoenix Democrats while eyeing a run for president.
Politics & Policy
December 6, 2017
Lupe Valdez Hopes to Make the Leap from Dallas County Sheriff to Governor
The gay Latina sheriff of Dallas County advocates for Dreamers and LGBT rights.
Politics & Policy
November 30, 2017
After Back-to-Back Sex Scandals, Joe Barton Announces Retirement
The veteran lawmaker says he will not run for re-election next year.
Politics & Policy
November 29, 2017
Joe Barton’s Suggestive Messages to Arlington Woman Are Indefensible
He might have survived last week's naked selfie scandal, but this surely spells the end.
Politics & Policy
November 28, 2017
The Deadline for Harvey Victims to Apply for FEMA Assistance Is Thursday
Here's how to tell if you're eligible.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2017
Former La Marque Mayor Geraldine Sam Is Cruz’s Latest Challenger
She was once a Cruz supporter, then she turned against him. Now she supports him again, except she’s running against him. Confused? Us too.
Books
November 24, 2017
Sage Shopping Advice from a Neiman Marcus Stalwart
How an out-of-print Texas anthology revealed what is maybe the wisest Black Friday tip I've ever heard.
Politics & Policy
November 24, 2017
How Joe Barton Avoided Becoming a Texas Turkey
Ennis Congressman shifted the debate from naked selfies to revenge porn victimhood
Politics & Policy
November 19, 2017
Remembering Houston’s National Women’s Conference Forty Years Later
Looking back at a crucial weekend seen as the high-water mark of the 1970s women’s movement
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2017
Sarah Davis Really Gets Under the Skin of Some Republicans
The Harris County GOP wants to purge the purple Republican. They may lose a House seat in the process.
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2017
The Most Profane Bumper Sticker
Here's a good way to make yourself a traffic target.
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2017
Texas Trial Lawyer and Major Democratic Donor Steve Mostyn Has Died
A sudden onset of mental health issues prompted Mostyn to take his own life.
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2017
Thursday Night Lights Illuminated Segregation in Texas High School Football
Guest column: This is a landmark anniversary of the end of race divisions on the gridiron.
Business
November 10, 2017
Texas Has Most to Win or Lose with NAFTA Renegotiation
Guest Column: Texas has 380,000 jobs tied to trade with Mexico
Politics & Policy
November 9, 2017
The Good Old Boys in the Texas Legislature Still Haven’t Learned How to Treat Women
A quarter century after Ann Richards became governor, men in Texas politics continue to sexually harass women.
Politics & Policy
November 9, 2017
Improved Civics Education Needed for Democracy To Survive
Guest Column: Thomas Jefferson said no nation can be ”both ignorant and free.”
Politics & Policy
November 7, 2017
Social Media Impacted the Psychology of Political Division
Guest column: We need to fix social media before next year’s elections.
Politics & Policy
November 3, 2017
Bill King Rules out Independent Run for U.S. Senate
The former Houston mayoral candidate says voters are eager for a middle ground.
Politics & Policy
November 2, 2017
John Cornyn Takes a Trump Nominee Hostage for Harvey
Cornyn's tactics to get hurricane recovery money for Texas have angered two tea party groups.
Business
October 25, 2017
Joe Straus Will Retire, But He’s Not Ruling Out a Run for Governor
In the future, Straus could run against Governor Greg Abbott, who indicated support for an "oust Straus" movement.
Burka Blog
October 24, 2017
Andrew White, Son of Late Governor Mark White, to Explore Democratic Run for Governor
Andrew White aims to capture the support of moderate Democrats and Republicans.
Politics & Policy
October 23, 2017
District Attorney Drops Felony Indictments Against Representative Dawnna Dukes
Prosecutors decided Dukes's lies to draw daily legislative pay were not a crime.
Business
October 23, 2017
Short-term ‘Wins’ Will Result In Tomorrow’s Losses in NAFTA Negotiations
Guest column: With the negotiations stalling, it's time to be honest with ourselves that this is not just a problem of finding a compromise.
Politics & Policy
October 20, 2017
The Binary Choice of Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders
CNN’s Debate Night: Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, and a house divided.
Politics & Policy
October 19, 2017
George W. Bush Denounces White Supremacy
Without naming Trump, Bush bashes nativism, protectionism, bigotry, and bullying.
Politics & Policy
October 12, 2017
Evangelical TV Network Executive Might Challenge Ted Cruz
Bruce K. Jacobson Jr. says Cruz broke a promise to voters by refusing to endorse Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Politics & Policy
October 11, 2017
Are We Misdiagnosing the Cause of Gun Violence?
Guest column: Let’s stop blaming mental illness for mass shootings.
Politics & Policy
October 10, 2017
Civility Starts With Me
Guest column: How we can lower the volume on political animosity?
Burka Blog
October 4, 2017
The Bathroom Bill Might Have Cost Texas 50,000 Jobs
The anti-transgender bathroom bill debate is a strike against any Texas city getting the Amazon HQ2.
Politics & Policy
September 30, 2017
Abbott Halts Houston Property Tax Increase With a $50 Million State Check
Governor reacts to claims he was turning his back on Houston hurricane relief.
Politics & Policy
September 29, 2017
Four Texas Democrats Vote Against House Bill Offering Tax Breaks to Harvey Victims
Texas's Democratic delegation previously acted as a united front in response to the storm. So why the change?
Humor
September 28, 2017
How the Texas Democratic Party Has Taken Texas
A cartoon about the current state of the gubernatorial race.
Politics & Policy
September 22, 2017
Governor Greg Abbott is Almost Unbeatable in the 2018 Race
A Democratic survey of voters shows the governor's power, but it doesn’t mean Texans agree with Republicans on all the issues. Here's how the Democratic party can use that information.
Business
September 18, 2017
Austin’s Social Inequality May Hurt Its Chances with Amazon
Guest column: The internet giant’s search for a second headquarters could prompt cities to improve.
Politics & Policy
September 15, 2017
The Political Storm of Hurricane Harvey
After Hurricane Harvey, the national media often unfairly attacked Houston and Texas. But not all of it was without basis.
Politics & Policy
September 7, 2017
John Sharp, the State’s Fixer in Chief, Comes to the Rescue After Harvey
Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp to lead rebuilding effort.
Art
September 6, 2017
On Storms and Bathroom Bills
The Lege's special session priorities.
Politics & Policy
September 4, 2017
A Communitarian View of Hurricane Harvey
Guest column: Houston’s strength is in its citizens.