Data Center Boom Exposes GOP Faultlines over Local Control
In rural areas like Caldwell County, local Republican officials and citizens are scrambling to find ways to empower counties and slow AI-fueled development.
Texas Legislature
Ending 30 Years of Resistance, Trump and Abbott Break the ‘People’s House’
The Legislature’s lower chamber has finally blessed school vouchers—and denied ordinary Texans the chance to weigh in.
Opposition to Abbott’s Vouchers Plan Includes Conservatives
The governor crushed anti-voucher Republicans in the Texas House, but there are still plenty of party activists who are opposed.
Who’s Paying for Public School Vouchers? (1998)
"Somebody had to eat the first oyster." With that salty metaphor, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock makes the argument that elected officials shouldn't be afraid to try new ideas—in this case, vouchers that would shift taxpayers' moneys from public to private schools.
Slowly and Painfully, House Passes $337 Billion Budget
The chamber deliberated until 3 a.m.
Texas House Weighs How to Get Harsh on Hemp
Advocates and industry warn against bills that would ban or otherwise restrict many currently legal THC products.
House Committee Passes ‘Texas Two Step’ of Vouchers and Public Ed Funding
Dems could do little but sound the alarm on vouchers—and warn the $7.7-billion school-finance package is still not enough.
‘It’s About Censorship, Erasure, and Control’: the GOP’s Push for Parental Rights
It’s part of a new right-wing project to control public schools.
Texas’ AI-Powered Surveillance Arsenal Has Ballooned. Proposed Laws Provide Few Guardrails.
Operation Lone Star has turbocharged DPS’ surveillance capabilities. Lawmakers say they want to prevent Texas from becoming a police state but have filed only modest legislation to regulate use of AI.
Republican Abortion Laws Are ‘Torturing Women.’ Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis?
Too late for many pregnant Texans, lawmakers might finally clarify exceptions to the state’s deadly bans—but advocates fear the current bills could also pose a new threat.