Health
March 23, 2020
How Hurricane Harvey Prepared Houston for the Coronavirus
We’re going to need that same neighborly, can-do spirit to get us through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Politics & Policy
Reporting and commentary on the Legislature, campaigns, and elected officials
Latest
701-750 of 7030 Articles
Politics & Policy
March 23, 2020
Texas’s Coronavirus Response Is Leaving Homeless People Stranded
Lack of hygienic access, overcrowded shelters, and limited funding for social services all threaten the state's homeless population.
Politics & Policy
March 20, 2020
How Will Texas Conduct Elections in the Wake of the Coronavirus?
Governor Greg Abbott is letting counties decide whether to postpone certain May elections. For the general, expanded vote by mail may be necessary.
Politics & Policy
March 19, 2020
Bull Session: Not Even a Pandemic Can Change John Cornyn or Louie Gohmert
The Texas senator and congressman, along with Chip Roy, remain incorrigible in the face of the coronavirus.
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2020
Is Climate Change Denial Thawing in Texas?
Surprising statements by oil industry leaders have grabbed headlines. But the bigger change is underway more quietly, among young Republicans.
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2020
Where Will Vulnerable Texas Schoolchildren Find Their Meals During Coronavirus?
Many closed schools are continuing meal service for low-income students, but challenges to securing nutrition remain for vulnerable children across the state.
Politics & Policy
March 17, 2020
How Will the Oil Bust and the Coronavirus Affect the Texas Budget?
Historically, the Lege has met shortfalls with tax increases or spending cuts. Whether Dems or the GOP are in power makes all the difference.
Politics & Policy
March 16, 2020
Non-Immigration Lawyers Are Helping Asylum Seekers Stuck in Mexico
For the 25,000 migrants awaiting hearings and subject to Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols, representation can be hard to come by.
Politics & Policy
March 12, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert Split Over the Coronavirus
Plus, Michael Cloud takes on the disease of California, and what’s Rodney Ellis doing with that squirrel?
Politics & Policy
March 11, 2020
Let’s Count the Ways Texas’s Dismal Health-Care Landscape Could Make the Coronavirus Worse
A high uninsured rate, hospital closures, and poor elder care leave Texas especially vulnerable to a COVID-19 epidemic.
The National Podcast of Texas
March 10, 2020
Podcast: Mayor Steve Adler on SXSW and the ‘Inevitability’ of COVID-19 in Austin
On the National Podcast of Texas, Adler Insists that although SXSW is canceled, Austin is open for business.
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2020
Bloomberg Promised His Texas Staff Jobs Till November, Then Fired Them All Anyway
Young people took jobs they thought would help turn Texas blue.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 5, 2020
The Bernie Sanders Movement Isn’t Winning Down-Ballot Primaries
Jessica Cisneros is the latest AOC-backed, Bernie-style candidate to fall short.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 5, 2020
Bull Session: Did Biden Win Texas by Courting the Whataburger Vote?
Plus, Beto’s bandmate blasts his Biden endorsement, Mike Bloomberg comprende Tejas, Dan Crenshaw vs. Pete Davidson, and Dan Patrick vs. shirts.
Politics & Policy
March 4, 2020
We Regret to Inform You That Liking Whataburger Is Not a Personality
Dear candidates: Please stop with the pandering.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 4, 2020
Roundup: 2020 Texas Primary
We weigh in on the most important Super Tuesday races, recent results, and what it all means.
The National Podcast of Texas
March 3, 2020
Fox News Analyst Jehmu Greene on Her Not-So-Secret Plan to Swing “The Movable Middle” Toward the Left
On the National Podcast of Texas, the former DNC chair candidate handicaps Super Tuesday and explains why she’s looking forward to a contested Democratic National Convention.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2020
“The Oldest, the Lowest, the Slowest”: Why Voting Isn’t Easy for Homeless People in Texas
The Legislature added an option for voters without valid IDs per a court order, but for the homeless population it might not be enough.
By Ben Rowen![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2020
The Biden Unity Party Last Night Was a Music Hall Putsch
At a honky-tonk in Dallas, the Democratic party made its move against Bernie—finally.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2020
San Antonio Says It’s Prepared for the Coronavirus. Are Federal Officials Ready to Listen?
The city, which trained for a flu pandemic as recently as November, is ground zero for military medicine.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2020
I’ve Been Agonizing for Two Years Over Which Democrat to Support for President
Like a lot of Democratic primary voters, I am still in a black hole of indecision, with the clock running down.
By Mimi Swartz![Mimi Swartz's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2020
What the Early Vote in Texas Might Tell Us About the Rest of 2020
Nearly all of the new early voters in Collin County participated on the Democratic side, and blue vote totals were up across the state.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 27, 2020
Bull Session: Pete Davidson Isn’t Sorry About Dan Crenshaw After All
Plus, the return of Robert Morrow, Bloomberg hires the “homeless Wi-Fi” guy, and Ronny Jackson reveals the secret to Trump’s excellent health.
Politics & Policy
February 27, 2020
Henry Cuellar’s Constituents Are Restless, But Are They Ready for AOC Ally Jessica Cisneros?
Voters in the Laredo-based border district will choose between the eight-term conservative Democrat and a young, progressive immigration attorney who is running an unabashedly left-wing campaign.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 26, 2020
Bloomberg Paves the Way for Bernie to Win Texas, According to the Polling
A new poll asks the question that previous ones strongly suggested.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 26, 2020
Most Politicians Don’t Court Muslim Voters. Bernie Is Betting on Them in Texas.
Ahead of Super Tuesday, the Sanders campaign has reached out to Muslim voters unlike any campaign before.
Politics & Policy
February 25, 2020
Mike Bloomberg’s Pitch to Turn Texas Blue in November Sounds Too Good to Be True—and It Might Be
Idealistic young people in the Bloomberg campaign believe they'll stay in Texas through November. But that's not what top staff are saying.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 20, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Says Keep Your Laws Off His Body
Dan Patrick calls the Paw Patrol, and Dan Crenshaw sticks it to Nickelback
Politics & Policy
February 19, 2020
Criminal Justice Reform Moves Pretty Fast. Just Ask Harris County DA Kim Ogg.
Four years ago, Ogg won election by promising to reform the county’s justice system. Now she’s getting primaried by two of her former prosecutors, who say she hasn’t done enough.
Politics & Policy
February 19, 2020
Lina Hidalgo’s Year of Living Dangerously
Led by a twentysomething Latina, Democrats now run Harris County, offering a glimpse at what things might look like—for better or for worse—if the party finds itself back on top across Texas.
Politics & Policy
February 18, 2020
Kirk Watson Escapes Dan Patrick’s Senate
The departure of the longtime Austin senator—for the greener pastures of higher education—will set off a fierce race for his seat.
Politics & Policy
February 16, 2020
Midland Oilman Clayton Williams (1931-2020): Winner in Business, Not in Politics
The colorful mogul lost the 1990 gubernatorial election after making a joke about rape and admitting to not paying some income taxes.
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2020
20 Other Texas Sayings According to Mike Bloomberg
The presidential candidate thinks ”as scared as a cat at a dog pound” is a thing that Texans say. So we’ve got a few more for him.
Politics & Policy
February 13, 2020
Bull Session: Dan Crenshaw and Briscoe Cain Make Election Season Weird
Plus, lessons in personal branding from Ted Cruz, and Pete Olson
Politics & Policy
February 11, 2020
The Balance of Power in Texas Politics Runs Along I-35
The booming suburbs of Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio could change the distribution of power in the state.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
February 11, 2020
Behind Nancy Pelosi’s Power Brooch Is an 86-Year-Old Texan Jeweler
Pelosi ripped up Trump's State of the Union speech while wearing a pin that is now a must-have item for Democrats.
Border & Immigration
February 10, 2020
This Family Survived an African Refugee Camp. Their New Challenge: Surviving Houston Without a Car.
One of the Bayou City’s biggest immigrant gateways, southwest Houston, is a dangerous and daunting place for pedestrians.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2020
Bull Session: Donald Trump Remembers the Beautiful, Beautiful Alamo
Plus, Taylor Swift honors Beto O’Rourke in song, and hard-right scandalmongers Empower Texans expand into BBQ reviews.
Film & TV
February 5, 2020
The Documentary ‘Boys State’ Delivers a Dose of Political Hope to Our Divisive Age
The Sundance Film Festival award winner follows teenagers from across Texas as they convene in Austin for an immersive lesson in government.
Politics & Policy
February 5, 2020
The Iowa Caucuses Taught Us Once Again That No One Knows Anything
This year is going to feature a lot of confident pronouncements from experts who will be proved wrong again and again.
The National Podcast of Texas
February 4, 2020
Michael Lind on Class Warfare and Why Populism Can’t Last
On this week’s podcast, the author and LBJ School of Public Affairs professor lays out an admittedly controversial plan to redefine democracy.
Politics & Policy
January 31, 2020
UT-Austin and Dell Announce $100 Million Partnership to Help Low-Income Students Graduate on Time
The initiative follows on the heels of last summer’s announcement that the university will cover tuition for some students.
Politics & Policy
January 30, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Rides Impeachment to the Top of the Podcast Charts
Plus, Ken Starr is pulled out of retirement, Pete Olson visits Sesame Street, and Vicente Gonzalez desperately needs a celebrity.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2020
Bernie Sanders Has Closed the Gap With Joe Biden in Texas
The Vermont socialist looks surprisingly strong in the Lone Star State.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2020
How Much Does the Democrats’ Big Flop in Tuesday’s Special Election Matter?
Beto & co. came up embarrassingly short, but the result probably doesn’t say all that much about November.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2020
Waymo’s Autonomous Trucks Are Rolling Into Texas—And Bringing a Debate About Jobs and Safety With Them
Coming soon to a Texas highway near you: self-driving semis.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
January 27, 2020
A Year After 7-Year-Old Jakelin Caal Died in U.S. Custody, Everything (And Nothing) Has Changed for Her Family
Few of the promises made to her family and community were kept. And Jakelin’s father has given up on the American Dream.
Politics & Policy
January 27, 2020
So Far From Heaven, So Close to Texas: Duncan Wood on Trump, Mexico, and Texas
One of America’s premier Mexico experts discusses how Mexico’s populist president is changing relations between Texas and our neighbor to the south.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2020
Bob Schieffer Remembers Texas Journalist Jim Lehrer (1934-2020)
The longtime PBS news anchor’s influence grew out of his objective and ethical approach to covering the news.
By Jason Heid![Jason Heid's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
January 23, 2020
Bull Session: Greg Abbott’s Historic Summit With Wesley Snipes
Plus, Ted Cruz takes on Stephen King (again), Eliz Markowitz does her best Willie, America Ferrera leaves Vicente Gonzalez hanging, and more!