The Latest Breaking News from Dennis Bonnen

What Ever Happened to Ethics Reform?

The House speaker battle wasn’t really about cleaning house.

Texas Observer · Mar 10, 2025

How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker race

A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 13, 2025

Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ “Big Three” have big plans and a wary new dynamic

The aggressive Republican agenda’s success depends on how well the three leaders harmonize their tactics and goals for the legislative session.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 12, 2025

Here’s who gets money from Defend Texas Liberty, the PAC whose leader met with white supremacist Nick Fuentes

The group has funded candidates and groups like the Texas GOP who have pushed fellow Republicans to take a harder line against things like illegal immigration and transgender people.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 12, 2023

No ‘dynamic duo’: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have forged separate roles

AUSTIN, Texas — In eight years as arguably the most conservative “Big Two” in Texas history, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have achieved an uneasy peace. The two Republican leaders rarely clash in public and they’ve increasingly avoided conflict by doubling down on the unique — and…

Tribune News Service · Jan 10, 2023

By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.

Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 1, 2022

Beto O’Rourke calls for united Texas front to oust Greg Abbott as governor

DALLAS — Buoyed by stout fundraising and a large grass-roots team, Beto O’Rourke on Friday sought to energize Democrats for his marquee race to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Tribune News Service · Jul 17, 2022

At Texas Democratic Party convention, recognition of high stakes and a tough road ahead

Attendees in Dallas seemed energized by the state’s abortion ban, lax gun laws and power grid failures. But they also knew they face major headwinds.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 16, 2022

Texas avoids blackouts under ERCOT conservation alert with more 100-degree weather to come

AUSTIN, Texas — Sky-high heat prompted Texas’ grid operator to call on people across the state to conserve electricity as the state's electricity system was pushed to near emergency conditions Monday.

Tribune News Service · Jul 12, 2022

Roe, Uvalde could upend Texas election

A history-making spring in Texas is laying the groundwork for a contentious final four months in the race

Salon · Jul 6, 2022