The lieutenant governor wants to require state pension and education funds to divest from financial giants that are trimming their investments in oil and gas—but he hasn’t thought through the potential consequences.
With state government more firmly in Republican hands, the next year will feature a return of the Republican civil war. Here are the skirmishes to watch for.
As new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations reach their highest levels yet, the state is relying less on restrictions and more on individual decisions.
After GOP leaders in 12 counties posted racist responses to the George Floyd protests, top Republicans declared war on bigotry in their party. It’s not going to be easy.
Despite the loud protests, very few Americans are ready to go back to work.
Plus, Ted Cruz says skateboarding is not a crime, and Dan Crenshaw becomes the cool face of the GOP’s coronavirus response.
In the best of times, our politicians can be a frustrating bunch. How are they doing in an unprecedented crisis?
The Texas lieutenant governor is among a growing number of politicians who are willing to trade lives to save the economy. It’s a false choice.
Plus, Beto’s bandmate blasts his Biden endorsement, Mike Bloomberg comprende Tejas, Dan Crenshaw vs. Pete Davidson, and Dan Patrick vs. shirts.
The departure of the longtime Austin senator—for the greener pastures of higher education—will set off a fierce race for his seat.
Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick were quick to find a self-serving narrative in the shooting at a church last week.
We stumble down memory lane, gawking at the madness and the mayhem of 2010–2019—and looking for an off-ramp.
Like so much in American conservative politics these days, everything begins and ends with Trump.
Their beautiful dark twisted fantasy.
Dan Patrick, John Cornyn, and Ted Cruz stood by at the president’s Thursday night rally in Dallas as he ridiculed them and claimed Hurricane Harvey made the state “a fortune.”
The lieutenant governor’s pledge to “take an arrow” from the NRA is a surprise, but the move is not as politically risky as it looks.
They called it the kumbaya session, but we still found plenty of scoundrels and statesmen.
Texas's top lawmakers managed to put together an $11.5 billion package, but they did it in a way that all but guarantees a tax hike in 2021.
The governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House announced a deal on property taxes and school finance. It sounds good, but offered awfully little in the way of specifics.
The last few days have brought tearful, angry debate over abortion, religious discrimination, and LGBTQ rights.
The Big Three are desperate to save their property tax proposal. Among the ideas to buy down property taxes is an increase in the oil and gas severance tax.
Once upon a time, the Texas Senate was Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s whole world. His turbulent 2014 campaign for the post was a radical change in Texas politics, the tea party revolution taking the throne. In his inauguration speech he proclaimed that his arrival marked “a new day
The senators who will help finalize the state budget—which affects 28 million Texans—are all white and Republican, and four of the five are from the Houston area.
In a powerful floor speech Monday, Senator Kel Seliger offers a demonstration of decency that diminishes the lieutenant governor’s raw power play.
Unless a compromise can be reached next week, Patrick's decision to move forward will upend decades of Senate tradition.
The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker line up behind a penny increase to the sales tax to provide property tax relief.
One of the most anticipated lists in Texas politics will be publicly deliberated for the first time.
The move by the lieutenant governor comes amid escalating tensions with Amarillo Republican senator Kel Seliger.
The first step in that direction came from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who announced a bill that would give Texas teachers a $5,000 pay raise.
The Angleton Republican takes control of the lower chamber as the 86th Legislature convenes.
The 86th Legislature convenes at noon on Tuesday. Here's a primer on some of this year’s action.
After the Santa Fe shooting, the lieutenant governor suggested hardening security at our schools.
The South Texas town’s new leader is part of a wave of LGBT candidates vying for political seats across the state.
Texas Democrats had their best off-year primary turnout since 2002 and still had fewer voters than the Republicans.
”They’ve already disgraced it once. I’m not going to let them do it a second time.”
Abbott and Patrick are bringing the power of incumbency to bear against a Rebellion of educators, business leaders and moderate Republicans.
Our lieutenant governor, for his eagerness to squander his power, waste our time, and drag Texas politics into the bathroom, is our Bum Steer of the Year.
Guest Column: Don’t keep Texas on the same dangerously anti-business, discriminatory path.
The anti-transgender bathroom bill debate is a strike against any Texas city getting the Amazon HQ2.
A cartoon about the current state of the gubernatorial race.
Dan Patrick’s defense of state education spending is also a pretty good argument for an income tax.
Dan Patrick’s Scorched-Earth Potty Politics.
Readers respond to the February 2017 issue.
One transgender woman's effort to demystify who uses what bathroom.
Fact checking the governor’s state of the state address.
In his second session as lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick has become the most influential person in Texas politics. Will his attempt to legislate who uses which bathroom slip him up?
Is the new study by Dan Patrick’s Senate a cover for private school vouchers?
In jab at Senate, House budget proposal makes $1.5 billion in property tax relief contingent on school finance overhaul.
House Speaker warns that transgender restrictions could cost San Antonio $243 million.
So-called bathroom bill could undermine cities' non-discrimination ordinances.
