Politics
Confederate Monument Protests Draw Hundreds in Houston and Dallas
How the Texas Legislature Reached a Dangerous Stalemate on Vaccines
Even as outbreaks of preventable diseases worry public health officials, anti-vaccination activists blocked legislation to address the problem.
It was mid-April, more than halfway through the legislative session, and Texans for Vaccine Choice was finally getting the fight it had been spoiling for. On Ap...Read More
Is Competence Enough? Mike Collier is Counting on it in Race Against Dan Patrick
Eschewing political showmanship, the mild-mannered accountant says he is aiming to take down "the worst lieutenant governor in the history of the state."
Congratulations! It’s campaign season again. On Saturday, at a public square in Round Rock, businessman Mike Collier made official his bid to unseat Lieutenan...Read More
How Texas’ Anti-Abortion Lawmakers Win Even While Losing in Court
Senate Bill 8 will likely face a lawsuit this summer. The problem for abortion-rights advocates is that legislation often moves faster than the courts.
“Why don’t we just stop passing unconstitutional laws?” asked an exasperated Representative Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie. He spoke in May as the House de...Read More
What You Need to Know About the SB 4 Legal Battle
The first major hearing on the “sanctuary cities” ban is set for next Monday in San Antonio.
Cities and counties across Texas are standing up to the “sanctuary cities” ban, setting up a showdown with the state....Read More
Loon Star State: Gerrymandering in Texas
Ben Sargent In the latest Loon Star State, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ben Sargent takes on the Texas GOP’s practice of gerrymandering, which has b...Read More
This Week: Behind Greg Abbott’s Bizarre Beef with Tree Ordinances
We dig into Abbott's violation of an Austin ordinance in 2011 and detail his controversial vetoes targeting the state's most vulnerable.
Keep up with the Observer’s sharp reporting on the Legislature and throughout Texas with this weekly newsletter. When Governor Greg Abbott included nixing...Read More
Governor Greg Abbott Vetoes Women’s Health Committee Despite Ongoing Crises
Rep. Donna Howard said Abbott’s veto is “disgraceful” and jeopardizes “health and safety of women across the state.”
Texas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, the highest rate of repeat teen pregnancy in the United States, the highest uninsured rate...Read More
Abbott Veto is a Major Setback for Oversight of Troubled Adult Guardianship System
The statewide oversight system for adult guardianships had overwhelming support. “I am truly shocked and dismayed” by Abbott’s decision, said one lawmaker.
The statewide oversight system for adult guardianships had overwhelming support. “I am truly shocked and dismayed” by Abbott’s decision, said one lawmaker...Read More
Governor Abbott’s Beef with Tree Ordinances Has Its Roots in a Pecan Tree He Destroyed to Build a New Home
In his haste to build a new home and swimming pool, Greg Abbott killed a protected pecan tree in violation of Austin’s rules.
In his haste to build a new home and swimming pool, Greg Abbott killed a protected pecan tree in violation of Austin’s rules....Read More