Politics & Policy
December 3, 2014
Is It Legal For an Atheist to Hold Public Office in Texas?
A mailer sent out during an Austin City Council runoff makes this weird question relevant once more.
Politics
The Daily Post
October 16, 2014
Houston City Attorneys Subpoenaed Sermons from Pastors They Suspect Fought the Ordinance from the Pulpit
Making a whole lot of people uncomfortable.
Health
October 13, 2014
Does Wendy Davis’s Ad Cross the Line in Mentioning the Accident that Put Greg Abbott in a Wheelchair?
Davis's latest ad has caused a lot of controversy. Is she wrong in bringing up Abbott's accident?
Health
September 22, 2014
Why Did State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Have to Reveal That She’d Had an Abortion at Trib Fest?
On a panel about the "Women's Health Debate," Texas House candidate Molly White insisted to Dukes that women who haven't had abortions couldn't understand their impact—so Dukes revealed her own history with the procedure.
The Daily Post
September 8, 2014
Some Things Worth Considering About the Wendy Davis Abortion Reveal
The big news out of the gubernatorial campaign has got a lot of people talking—but is it anything worth saying?
Sports
September 4, 2014
It’s Come to This. Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis Are Bickering About Favorite Football Teams
Yesterday, Davis told a radio station that she's a Cowboys fan, which led the Abbott campaign to call her a flip-flopper, in one of the sillier press releases of this campaign season.
Politics & Policy
August 12, 2014
What the New Wendy Davis Ad Tells Us About Her Campaign
And the coverage of it by the media.
The Daily Post
February 24, 2014
Did We Just Witness the End of Ted Nugent’s Political Relevance?
The Motor City Madman has been called many things over the past few decades, but until last week, you couldn't call him phony.
Sports
February 25, 2013
Our Aggie Governor’s Prediction for a Democratic-Leaning State…
“The University of Texas will change its colors to maroon and white before Texas goes purple, much less blue.”– Rick Perry, always thinking about college football (just like all of us).(From the Wall Street Journal. For the back story, read Erica Greider’s Thursday column.)
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2013
Teachers, Protect Yourselves
State legislators propose a bill that would allow communities to raise taxes in order to fund the school security measures they prefer.
Politics & Policy
January 29, 2013
How Texas Tackles Gun Control
State politicians propose solutions ranging from arming teachers to praying for protection.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
“Fetal Pain”: The First Thing on Rick Perry’s Desk?
The Governor will hold a press conference with Texas Right to Life in Houston today to personally offer his support for more restrictions on abortion in the state.
Health
January 21, 2013
Are You Sure You Want to Drink That?
San Antonio joins Chicago as the first two cities to get health-conscious soda vending machines.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
Do You Have the Palate of a President?
Exploring the culinary preferences of George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.
News & Politics
January 21, 2013
¿Dewhurst Habla Español Mas Mejor Que Cruz?
UPDATE: The Lite Guv says he never really "challenged" Ted Cruz to debate en español, but the Senate candidates are now scheduled to spar in English twice.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Ron Paul’s Evolving Stance on His Newsletters
The history of Ron Paul's position on his offensive newsletters is beginning to emerge as the media latches on to the scandal.
Music
January 21, 2013
5 Things You’ll Be Talking About in January
1. For George Strait, the road doesn’t go on foreverI was tooling around Austin in 1981, enjoying the free-love vibe and listening to the radio, when I first heard George Strait. His voice came out of my little dashboard speaker so strong and clear I ran two lights and a stop sign.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Joe Straus III
The ideological pendulum at the Lege is swinging, finally and inevitably, back toward the center, so moderate Republicans—the golden-cheeked warblers of Texas politics—may soon reemerge as a force to be reckoned with. When that happens, we’re betting on this pedigreed, patrician lawmaker from tony District 121 (Alamo Heights, Olmos Park)
The Culture
January 20, 2013
Here Comes the Neighborhood
Preston Hollow gets its Bush back.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
“Friedman’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose”
The Kinky-for-governor circus pulls into Galveston.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Dan Bartlett
“We were wrong about the intelligence on weapons of mass destruction. That’s far different from saying that we purposely manipulated or intentionally lied to the American people.”
Texas History
December 1, 2012
11/22/2013
In one year the eyes of the world will turn to Dallas's Dealey Plaza for the fiftieth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Is the city ready?
The Culture
December 1, 2012
Scout’s Dishonor
An Eagle Scout wrestles with what’s happened to the organization he loved.
The Culture
October 31, 2012
The Texanist: What’s the Etiquette of Political Yard Signs?
What’s the etiquette of political yard signs? Illustration by Jack UnruhQ: My housemate and I have very different political leanings, but we’ve never let this get in the way of our friendship. We have an agree-to-disagree policy. Then, without any discussion, she put a yard
Politics & Policy
July 31, 2012
The Most Interesting Man in Paris, Texas
Arjumand Hashmi, the mayor of Paris, Texas, is perhaps the state's most unlikely mayor - a wealthy, Pakistani-born Muslim with close ties to foreign leaders.
Politics & Policy
August 30, 2011
Not like other politicians
I used to teach a course at the Lyndon B. Johnson school of Public Affairs, for first-year students, called "Policy Development." The metaphor for the course was a cauldron of soup, into which all the issues of the day were dumped. Sometimes these issues floated to the top; sometimes they
News & Politics
June 30, 2011
A Q&A With Bill Broyles
The founding editor of TEXAS MONTHLY on the magazine’s first Best & Worst Legislators list.
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2009
The Idiot’s Guide to the Speaker’s Race
How it works, what it means, and why Tom Craddick may not end up holding the gavel this time around.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 2008
The Democraddick Primary
It’s the only election that matters.
The Culture
January 1, 2007
The Real World
Writer-at-large Michael Ennis on writing about politics and culture.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1996
The Spin Doctor Is Out
Being a political consultant had its high points. I helped candidates win elections, traveled around the world, and worked side by side with James Carville and Dick Morris. But campaigns kept sinking to pathetic new lows, which is why I finally had to quit the game.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1995
Sorry, Charlie
The last of the LBJ-style Democracts, the rowdy and reckless Charlie Wilson has called it quits. A fond farewell.
Politics & Policy
September 30, 1995
Gramm’s Master Plan
Phil Gramm’s master plan for defeating Dole, whipping Wilson, and locking up the GOP nomination.
Politics & Policy
November 1, 1994
Hard Times For Henry
Hounded by his ex-lover in Lubbock, pounded by his enemies in Washington, Henry Cisneros is in trouble—and it’s all on tape.
Politics & Policy
September 1, 1994
Bob Bullock
The real governor of Texas.
Business
September 1, 1994
Ross Perot, Jr.
It’s junior’s mint, and he’s making the most of it.
Being Texan
May 1, 1994
Nerdvana!
In the nineties, it’s hip to be square and cool to be clueless. Our guide to the new Texas man.
Politics & Policy
January 1, 1993
Greetings From Dogpatch
Bill Clinton’s Arkansas isn’t the backwater you might think.
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1992
Bill’s Bungle
By not contesting Texas in the presidential campaign, Bill Clinton did more than throw away votes in 1992. He hurt the prospects of Texas Democrats in 1994 and beyond.
Politics & Policy
July 1, 1991
The Ghosts of the Freedmen
Dallas is a city that has prided itself on having escaped the hostility of the civil rights years—until now.
Politics & Policy
May 1, 1991
Ann of a Hundred Days
Things around the Legislature are looking bleak, but so far, Governor Richards is having the time of her life.
Politics & Policy
February 1, 1991
Is the Legislature for Sale?
To reassure a skeptical public, members must pass an ethics reform bill this session. And here’s what it should say.
Politics & Policy
October 1, 1990
Meet the Governor: Clayton Williams
Onward to the past.
Politics & Policy
July 1, 1989
On the Defensive
Jim Wright’s attorney Steve Susman is living proof that clients may lose, but lawyers don’t.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 1989
The Second Coming
Twenty-five years ago, Texans hoped LBJ would lead them into the promised land. They have the same hopes for the new president, but George Bush is making no promises.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 1989
The Bush League
In George Bush’s Cabinet, Texans are crawling out of the woodwork. Read about their pasts, their pets, their secret passions.
Politics & Policy
January 1, 1989
Superpolitics
Will Texas’ acquisition of the supercollider increase the state’s clout in Washington? We’d better hope so, because now that we’ve got it, we’ve got to get the money to deliver it
Politics & Policy
December 1, 1988
Can Ross Perot Save America?
One day in 1962 Ross Perot read Thoreau’s insight that the “mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” The country hasn’t been the same since.
Politics & Policy
March 1, 1988
Should This Man Be President?
For all his integrity and noble intentions, George Bush has yet to prove he’s got the agenda of a true statesman.
Politics & Policy
April 1, 1987
High Noon at the Capitol
The biggest legislative bloodbath in 31 years is shaping up between Clements and Hobby. At stake: not only the state’s education budget but the economic and political future of Texas as well.