Who Killed Criminal Justice Reform in Texas?
Texas was once a model of how to safely and economically move away from mass incarceration. Now the old politics of “law and order” are back.
Rick Perry
Politics & Policy
April 9, 2020
Bull Session: Ted Cruz Says the Press Is “Giddy With Glee” Over Pandemic
Plus, Texas pols take pains to prove they’re still working, Rick Perry finds a new calling, and more.
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
December 26, 2019
The Last Decade’s Ten Worst Years in Texas Politics
We stumble down memory lane, gawking at the madness and the mayhem of 2010–2019—and looking for an off-ramp.
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2019
Bull Session: Remember the Alamo? And Wendy Davis? And That Peloton Ad?
Ever since 2014, the Alamo has become the locus of a notably less cinematic war, all raging around the controversial plan to renovate and redesign it.
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
The 2020 Bum Steer Awards
Beto O'Rourke, Dennis Bonnen, and the Houston Astros make our annual dishonor roll, along with assorted lesser-known idiots and evildoers.
Politics & Policy
December 5, 2019
Bull Session: Rick Perry Beats a Hasty, Slow-motion Retreat
Chip Roy, Chris Putnam, and the specters of Trump and Beto were also running this week.
Politics & Policy
November 25, 2019
The Book of Rick
Rick Perry says Trump is ”chosen by God.” But what if Perry were chosen to write the newest book of the Bible?
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2019
From Rick Perry to Kenneth Starr, Here Are the Texans Involved in the Impeachment Hearings
The Ukraine scandal is unfolding quickly, and quite a few Texans are playing significant roles in the drama.
The National Podcast of Texas
November 4, 2019
The Texas Tribune’s Evan Smith Celebrates 10 Years of Nonprofit Journalism
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the digital news startup’s CEO and co-founder discusses how a risky bet on covering Texas politics and public policy paid off.
Politics & Policy
October 21, 2019
What Should Rick Perry Do Next?
Rick Perry, the former governor turned energy secretary, is about to have a lot of time on his hands.
Politics & Policy
October 10, 2019
The Rick Perry Show Is Back!
Our ever-entertaining former governor has been awfully quiet for the past few years. But we knew that couldn’t last.
Politics & Policy
August 22, 2019
Of Course Rick Perry Fell For the Instagram Hoax
Plenty of people did, but not all of them are in charge of the nuclear arsenal.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2018
Rick Perry As Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff? No Way.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry has avoided the turmoil of the Trump Administration by staying out of Washington.
News & Politics
July 17, 2018
Texas A&M and the Nation’s Nuclear Arsenal
Chancellor John Sharp talks to Texas Monthly about a recent $2.5 billion federal contract that makes A&M accountable for ensuring the nation’s nuclear weapons will work if they are ever needed.
Energy
June 8, 2018
Rick Perry Hands Texas A&M Lucrative Los Alamos Contract
The current head of the Department of Energy gave his alma mater a $2.5 billion gig, and they beat out rival UT’s bid.
Border & Immigration
April 4, 2018
Trump to Deploy National Guard Troops Along the Border
Presidents Obama and Bush, as well as former Texas governor Rick Perry, made the same decision several times before.
Energy
March 7, 2018
Rick Perry Delivers the Gospel of ‘Energy Realism’
The energy secretary outlined the Trump administration’s new direction at an oil and gas conference in Houston.
Energy
December 8, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Politicians Push Trump to Reduce Ethanol Mandate
Rick Perry returns from Saudi Arabia, Sen. Cornyn slips a little something nice for big oil into the tax bill, and Exxon opens its first gas stations in Mexico.
Energy
November 2, 2017
Energy Secretary Rick Perry Says Fossil Fuels Could Reduce Sexual Assault in Africa
His comments come after a recent visit to South Africa.
Energy
September 22, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Gas Prices Coming Back Down
Plus: AMD bids to make Tesla chips, Perry pushes carbon capture, and a cute promotion from a gas station in Nash.
Energy
August 11, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: New Concerns About Grid Reliability
Plus: Rick Perry’s investment in batteries, NRG layoffs, and an interactive map of wind farms.
Energy
August 4, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Texas Big Oil Comes Out Against the Bathroom Bill
Energy Secretary Rick Perry might head to the Department of Homeland Security, Texas holds on to the number one spot for energy consumption, and big oil and ranchers battle over water resources in West Texas.
Energy
August 2, 2017
What the Next Forty Years of the Department of Energy Should Bring
A new focus on demand-side approaches and smarter energy management.
Energy
July 28, 2017
This Week in Texas Energy: Rick Perry Gets a Prank Phone Call
Plus: There's a "substantial increase" in reports about a Bastrop oil spill, Texas is leading the way in renewable energy, and a big bank decides to go green.
Energy
June 23, 2017
What Will Rick Perry’s Delayed Energy Grid Study Say?
The current energy secretary was a big proponent of wind power as governor of Texas. The signs now point to a change of heart.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Ken Paxton Edition
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Politics & Policy
February 2, 2017
The Great Wall of Technology
Texans may already have paid for part of President Trump’s signature proposal.
Film & TV
June 2, 2016
How We Talk About Chris Kyle
It’s possible to be both a hero and a liar.
Texas History
May 26, 2016
Hello, Governor
The state capitol's adventures in portraiture.
Politics & Policy
September 15, 2015
Rick Perry: An Appreciation
Perry left his second presidential run on his own terms. That alone is a victory.
Politics & Policy
September 12, 2015
Rick Perry Withdraws From the Race
Whatever GOP voters were looking for, the former Texas governor wasn't selling it.
Politics & Policy
August 26, 2015
The Disruption of Rick Perry
The former Texas governor has been a product of disruption—but also its victim.
Politics & Policy
August 5, 2015
What Are The Best And Worst Case Scenarios For Rick Perry Now?
The longtime Texas governor and laughingstock of the 2012 Republican primaries failed to make it to the majors in the Fox News GOP debate. Where does that leave him in the race for the 2016 nomination?
Politics & Policy
July 30, 2015
6 Times Rick Perry Surprised Us All in the 2016 Republican Primary Race
The glasses are just the start.
Politics & Policy
July 6, 2015
Rick Perry’s Race Speech
Texas’s former governor—and current presidential candidate--surprised some critics last week.
Politics & Policy
June 4, 2015
Everybody* Is Pumped for the Sequel of Perry for Prez
By “everybody,” we mostly mean “folks in the media,” but boy, are they excited.
Politics & Policy
June 4, 2015
The Meh Primary
Former Governor Rick Perry tries to live twice, as the song says: One life for yourself and one for your dreams.
Politics & Policy
May 7, 2015
Is Rick Perry Running as the Liberal in the GOP Primary Field?
“Liberal” being a relative term, naturally.
Politics & Policy
May 7, 2015
The Race Is On!
Five Texans who would be president.
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2015
GOP Presidential Candidates are Banking Their Billionaires
The unlimited billionaire funding of Republican presidential candidates may actually keep the race alive until the Texas primary next March.
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2015
Texas Senate Votes for Local Control of Statewide Political Corruption
Texas Senate votes 20-11 to turn prosecution of state officials corruption cases over to hometown judges, juries and prosecutors.
Politics & Policy
March 11, 2015
Border Security and Border Rhetoric
The debate over border security often is as much about political posturing as it is about policy.
Politics & Policy
March 4, 2015
Clinton and Perry are Birds of an Email Feather
Each in their own way, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Texas Governor Rick Perry have sought to avoid public disclosure of their official emails.
Politics & Policy
February 27, 2015
Perry Compares Middle East Troubles to Texas Border
Former Governor Rick Perry this morning told a gathering of conservatives that Middle Eastern dictators do not take President Obama seriously because he has not been willing to secure the Texas border.
Politics & Policy
February 25, 2015
Perry’s Second Chance at a First Impression
A new poll indicates Rick Perry may get a second chance with Republican voters in the presidential race. Why? Many people do not have an opinion of him.
Health
February 10, 2015
The Texas Legislature and Rick Perry Are Pro-Vaccination
The hot-button public health issue has some support from unexpected corners in Texas.
Politics & Policy
December 10, 2014
Finally, A Real Governor
Greg Abbott is off to a fast start—and that is good for Texas.
Politics & Policy
November 26, 2014
Obama’s Immigration Action
Some questions about Barack Obama's explanation for his executive action on immigration, announced last week.
News & Politics
November 24, 2014
The Arguments Against Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration
On Thursday, the president said that Congress had left him no choice but to act alone. Conservatives can argue otherwise.