Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Between the Lines
Ah, redistricting—that partisan, vengeful, hazardous battle for domination the Legislature fights every decade. Here we go again.
Eighty-Second Legislature
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Let There Be Right
The Republicans whipped the Democrats in November. Now what are they going to do?
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
The Eighteen Billion Dollar Man
Texas is facing an unprecedented deficit in the next legislative session, so to help our poor, overworked elected officials, I went ahead and balanced the budget for them. And good Lord! It wasn’t pretty.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Business as Usual
Who’s the toughest opponent for Republicans who want to crack down on illegal immigration? Other Republicans.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
A Q&A With Nate Blakeslee
The Democrats will most certainly fight the Republicans over immigration reform legislation this session, but the Republican’s biggest opponents are powerful interests within their own party. Nate Blakeslee talks about grassroot efforts, tea party champions, and why immigration has become one of the most important issues facing our state.
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2012
Right to Strife
In Republican-dominated Texas, the May 29 primary might as well have been the general election. And what it revealed is a party perfectly capable of doing battle with itself, no Democrats required.
Politics & Policy
February 1, 2012
Mappily Ever After
Once again, redistricting has devolved into a bitter, partisan, confusing, chaotic mess. But take heart, voters! There is a better way.
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2011
Capitol Affair
How architecture changed the balance of power at the Legislature and other observations from my three decades covering Texas politics.
Politics & Policy
February 1, 2011
Session Up
This issue went to press four days before the start of the most important legislative session of our lifetime, when lawmakers face, in addition to the testy, high-stakes business of redistricting and the supercharged debate over immigration and voter ID, an epic fiscal crisis: a budget shortfall of up to