How a bond election changed Texas’ early voting laws
By ALEX WUKMAN The phrase “elections have consequences” has become a cliche, a political version of “it is what it is.” However, it’s doubtful that suburban Houston and Dallas voters knew they’d be determining ballot access for thousands of Texans when they cast a
Latest
Michael Quinn Sullivan releases secretly recorded audio of his meeting with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
BY CASSANDRA POLLOCK, EMMA PLATOFF AND PATRICK SVITEK Months after disclosing it existed, hardline conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan on Tuesday released his recording of a controversial meeting with Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
Democratic super PAC, GOP candidate to run first TV ads in key Texas House special election
Vote signs outside early voting locations in Austin on Feb. 23, 2014. Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune BY PATRICK SVITEK The first TV ads are set to air in the
GOP “Texodus” in the State House
In recent months, news of retirements by six Republican members of the Texas congressional delegation has led some opponents to declare a GOP “Texodus.” The same is starting to happen at the state level with Republicans in the Texas House.
Texas’ cost of unexpanded Medicaid
By JEF ROUNER For years Gov. Greg Abbott has asserted that expanding Medicaid would leave Texas on the hook if the federal government stops paying its share. Texas elected officials’
Texas schools get an ‘F’ for lead levels in drinking water
By ALEX WUKMAN Some Texas schools have toxic drinking water. The Texas Public Interest Research Group and Environment Texas Research and Policy Center recently issued a joint analysis of water
Our government is broken. Help us fix it.
Reform Austin is dedicated to demanding accountability from those we elect and to increasing transparency in how the public’s business is done and how our money is spent.
Abbott Releases Safety Action Report
Almost a month after the El Paso shooting, Gov. Greg Abbott released the Texas Safety Action Report. In the report, which was released on Sept.
Texas Leads the Nation in Polling Place Closures
It has become increasingly difficult for Texans to exercise the right to vote as a record number of polling places have closed. According to a
Harlandale ISD threatens civil rights lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency
By ALEX WUKMAN The Harlandale ISD board of trustees is considering a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency as a way to
Keep tabs on Texas politics and policy with our morning newsletter
Secret Dennis Bonnen recording of alleged quid pro quo coming out next week, activist says
From left: House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, at a bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 2, in Austin on June 12, 2019. Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The
Texas cities and residents struggle with income inequality
By JEF ROUNER After 14 straight quarters of positive economic growth and an unemployment rate hovering around four percent, income inequality continues to grow in Texas thanks to a nationwide
Weed of corruption bears bitter fruit all over Texas
By Chris Adams There’s no way to sugar coat it—the roots of public corruption run deep in Texas soil. From LBJ’s 1948 Box 13 scandal to the undoing of the
Texas abruptly halts permitting process for new medical cannabis dispensaries
BY ALEX SAMUELS AND STACY FERNÁNDEZ A week into opening the application process for medical cannabis dispensaries to apply for permit in Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety — without warning —
Texas state representative wants college athletes to get paid
State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) wants Texas’ college athletes to get paid to play. Leach’s proposal is modeled after one recently signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The