Op-Ed
May 31, 2022
Opinion: Treat Gun Violence Like the Crisis It Is
Texas can change the status quo if our elected leaders engage in a good-faith debate over gun safety.
Texas Legislature
Politics & Policy
March 15, 2022
Wendy Davis Lost Her Fight Against Abortion Restrictions. A New Documentary Pretends She Won.
‘Shouting Down Midnight’ is a hagiography of the state senator that tries to impose a triumph narrative for Texas Democrats where none exists.
Politics & Policy
September 27, 2021
Sissy Farenthold Was a Melancholy Rebel
Sissy Farenthold, who died Sunday, believed persistence and anger could change Texas.
By
Mimi Swartz
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Politics & Policy
September 7, 2021
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.
Politics & Policy
August 20, 2021
The 2020 Census Shows Texas Metros Are Booming. The Guv and the Lege Keep Getting in Their Way.
Our diverse big cities and suburbs are driving the state forward. Our leaders need to let Houston be Houston and Beaumont be Beaumont.
The Stand Up Desk
July 21, 2021
Roar of the Crowd: August 2021
Reader letters published in our August 2021 issue.
Best and Worst Legislators
June 15, 2021
2021: The Best and Worst Legislators
A wild year begat an even wilder legislative session. Lawmakers faced blackouts, a pandemic, and their own worst impulses. Amid the chaos, we plucked out the leaders—and the losers.
Politics & Policy
May 17, 2021
Why Eight Texas Republicans Broke From Their Party Over Mask Mandates
The closest vote of Texas' legislative session concerned face coverings and the ability of the governor and county officials to deal with a future pandemic.
Politics & Policy
April 7, 2021
The GOP’s Voter Restriction Bill Would Be a Do-over of the Attempted Voter Purge of 2019
Provisions of Senate Bill 7 would require some naturalized citizens to prove their right to vote.
Texas History
January 5, 2021
Until 1968, a Married Texas Woman Couldn’t Own Property or Start a Business Without Her Husband’s Permission. This Dallas Attorney Changed That.
Louise Raggio fought to pass a landmark law that gave equal rights to Texas women.
Film & TV
August 13, 2020
What ‘Boys State’ Says About the Future of Texas Politics
The annual mock-government summer camp—which I attended in 1995—hits the national spotlight thanks to an engaging new documentary.
By
Jason Heid
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Texas History
July 3, 2020
Why Texas Still Celebrates Confederate Heroes Day
Recent attempts to abolish the holiday have failed. But things might be different when lawmakers return to Austin in January.
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2020
Can the ‘Texas Miracle’ Survive?
With a virus-infected economy and an oil bust to boot, the Texas model is facing an unprecedented crisis.
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
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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
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
December 11, 2019
Weird Candidates and Fifteen-Way Races: The Texas Primary Ballot Is Madness
Now that races for the March primary are (mostly) set, here are a few things worth keeping an eye on.
Politics & Policy
November 15, 2019
Cocaine Is a Hell of a Drug, But Then So Is Partisanship
What Poncho Nevarez’s cocaine problem tells us about corruption and impunity at the Texas Capitol.
Politics & Policy
October 22, 2019
Bonn Voyage, Dennis!
The embattled speaker of the Texas House, Dennis Bonnen, calls it quits.
Politics & Policy
October 15, 2019
The Bonnen Tape Is Tawdry, Shocking, and Kinda Funny
The secretly recorded meeting between Dennis Bonnen and Michael Quinn Sullivan shows how Texas political operators talk behind closed doors.
Politics & Policy
August 11, 2019
The Scandal Swirling Around House Speaker Dennis Bonnen Is Bad. But Is It Criminal?
The growing controversy around Bonnen's quid pro quo is about much more than palace intrigue. Fundamentally, it concerns unethical, possibly criminal, behavior on the part of the speaker.
Politics & Policy
August 9, 2019
The Speaker and the Creeper: Everything You Need to Know About the Craziest Texas Political Scandal in Years
House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offers a masterclass in how to lose friends and alienate your allies in just a few easy steps.
Politics & Policy
July 30, 2019
Did House Speaker Dennis Bonnen Really Try to Bribe Michael Quinn Sullivan? An Investigation.
MQS isn't the most trustworthy person in Texas politics, but Bonnen has done a poor job offering an alternative narrative about what transpired.
Politics & Policy
July 30, 2019
Here’s What Texas DAs Think of the New Hemp Law that Effectively Decriminalized Pot
We reached out to prosecutors for all 254 Texas counties to ask whether they will still prosecute marijuana cases.
Politics & Policy
May 4, 2019
More STAAR? The Texas Senate Proposes Even Higher-Stakes Testing for Students.
On Monday, the Senate passed a proposal to add four more writing tests and tie school funding directly to third-grade test results.
By
Mimi Swartz
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Politics & Policy
May 2, 2019
‘A Hearing Can Save a Life’: Ban on Gay Conversion Therapy Gets a Courtesy Airing
Despite Representative Celia Israel’s emotional, personal testimony, her bill to curtail the discredited practice has little chance of becoming law.
Politics & Policy
March 20, 2019
The Texas Lege’s Culture War on Austin Has Come to a Cuddly Ceasefire
A step towards a less partisan future. Or at least a furrier, friendlier one.
By
Dan Solomon
![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 1, 2019
Could Marijuana Reform Finally Make Strides in Texas?
The Legislature remains far from allowing recreational use, but baby steps toward decriminalization could come this session.
Politics & Policy
January 7, 2019
Texas Comptroller Delivers Healthy Revenue Estimate to Lawmakers
The $119.12 billion two-year estimate is the first step in the Texas Legislature's budgeting process.
Politics & Policy
November 18, 2018
The Power Issue: Hector De Leon Is Fighting the Tea Party in the Name of Fiscal Conservativism—and Winning
The Associated Republicans of Texas co-chair is out to prove that clashing with Dan Patrick doesn’t make you a Republican In Name Only.
Politics & Policy
October 3, 2018
The Return of Planned Parenthood to El Paso
This city in West Texas was the largest in the country without a presence from the controversial health clinic.
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2018
Texas Gerrymandering Case Goes Before U.S. Supreme Court: What You Need to Know
The nation’s high court will consider whether Texas legislative and congressional districts discriminate against minorities.
Politics & Policy
January 4, 2017
Senator Whitmire’s Pension Provocations
When is advice a conflict of interest?
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2016
Texas Law Enforcement Group Wants Changes To Open Carry, But Will Lawmakers Listen?
The changes might actually do more to protect police officers than the Police Protection Act.
The Daily Post
January 20, 2016
Ken Paxton Says That Daily Sports Fantasy Sites Are Illegal Gambling In Texas
He’s not wrong about that, but is this an opportunity to reconsider gambling laws?
By
Dan Solomon
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Politics & Policy
August 6, 2015
The Texas Voter ID Law, Explained
On the eve of Voting Rights Act's anniversary, a federal court ruled Texas's voter ID discriminates.
Politics & Policy
June 25, 2015
At Least One Person Didn’t Like the Worst List
The lieutenant governor responds to our selections.
Politics & Policy
June 11, 2015
The Class of 2015
Illustrations by Nicki Longoria. Click to enlarge.Elsewhere in this month’s issue, our political team considers which state legislators have earned our respect and which ones remind us why the stately granite building at Twelfth Street and Congress Avenue has long been the butt of countless jokes
By
Jeff Salamon
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Politics & Policy
May 28, 2015
The Legislature Is Hoarding $18 Billion of Your Money
The Legislature is leaving unspent $18 billion that could go to further tax cuts or repairs to infrastructure or even, perhaps, to education.
The Daily Post
May 21, 2015
Texas Has Banned Fracking Bans
Well then.
By
Dan Solomon
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The Daily Post
May 21, 2015
Another Omnibus Abortion Bill Is Headed to the Texas Senate Floor
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee sent a bill that would severely tighten restrictions on receiving a confidential abortion as a minor to the Senate floor.
Politics & Policy
May 12, 2015
Hannah Giles, No Nellie Bly
The people behind the hidden camera investigation of the Legislature have more of a history of political activism than of journalism.
Politics & Policy
May 5, 2015
An Undercover Assault on Legislators
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a right wing political group has been secretly recording Texas legislators, apparently with an aim at unseating Speaker Joe Straus.
The Daily Post
April 30, 2015
The #txlege Is Considering Making #Texas the First #State to Have Its Own #OfficialHashtags
Seems like a #GreatUseOfTime, #right?
By
Dan Solomon
![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
March 12, 2015
State Representative Proclaims His Status as a Former Fetus
A miniature controversy erupted Wednesday at the state capitol, when a Republican lawmaker covered the name plaque outside his office with a paper sign labeling him as a “Former Fetus.”
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2015
A State Representative Filed a Bill That Would Harm His Openly Gay Son
Rick Miller, a Republican from Sugar Land, introduced legislation that would reverse local non-discrimination ordinances—like the one in Houston, where his openly gay son works as an attorney.
Politics & Policy
February 21, 2015
Texas Might Have Married Its First Same-Sex Couple
What started as a small wedding ceremony outside a Travis County office resulted in a political storm that left the couple, and the rest of the state, confused.
Politics & Policy
February 12, 2015
Capitol Gains
A new era for the Capitol—and for Texas Monthly’s Capitol bureau.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2015
Last Man Standing
Despite all the exits and entrances around him, House speaker Joe Straus plans on staying right where he is.
Politics & Policy
January 9, 2015
Through the Looking Glass
How Erica Grieder learned to stop worrying and look forward to the Eighty-fourth Legislature.