Oakland sued over nearly $1 million fine for property owners accused of cutting down 38 trees Attorney Chance Weldon alleged the city’s fine represents an ‘arbitrary overreach’ The Independent UK · Jul 2
Democrats seek to pause Texas’ social studies revamp over $70K grant from conservative think tank The Texas Public Policy Foundation awarded the grant to Schreiner University’s Texas Center, which is led by a historian guiding the state in its social studies revision. The Texas Tribune · Apr 8
Former MLB player Mark Teixeira announces run for 21st Congressional District The former Texas Rangers slugger, who is running as a Republican, launched his campaign after incumbent Rep. Chip Roy announced he was running for attorney general. The Texas Tribune · Aug 28, 2025
With the border quiet, Texas ponders spending another $6.5 billion on border security Some are questioning whether lawmakers should commit billions more to border security with illegal crossings dwindling and a Trump immigration crackdown. The Texas Tribune · Apr 21, 2025
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. Texas Observer · Apr 15, 2025
Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination Supporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit. The Texas Tribune · Mar 24, 2025
Brooke Rollins says she'll shield farmers from impacts of Trump's tariffs in ag secretary nomination hearing Rollins previously led the Texas Public Policy Foundation and served under Gov. Rick Perry. The Texas Tribune · Jan 23, 2025
School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education Vouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kids’ private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them. The Texas Tribune · Jan 23, 2025
Trump picks Texan Brooke Rollins to lead Agriculture Department Rollins, who grew up in Glen Rose and once led the Texas Public Policy Foundation, will need Senate confirmation before becoming agriculture secretary. The Texas Tribune · Nov 23, 2024
“Uncharted territory”: Trump’s anti-immigration plans could take center stage in Texas Texas is positioned better than any state to help Trump carry out his ambitious anti-immigration agenda. But it is also vulnerable to those policies’ impacts. The Texas Tribune · Nov 7, 2024
These Texans could join or influence a second Trump administration Donald Trump has built close ties to many Texas Republicans, from judges to elected officials to policy experts. The Texas Tribune · Nov 1, 2024
Church, state and the Texas Legislature: Debate heats up over what students should learn House hearing focuses on a curriculum plan and on school vouchers. The Texas Tribune · Aug 13, 2024
Meet Tim Dunn: the ultraconservative billionaire pastor spending millions to protect his oil – and elect Trump The Texas fossil fuel mogul has poured nearly $30m to drive the state legislature to the far-right, and now the evangelical Christian wants to spread his ideology to the federal government The Guardian - US · Jul 11, 2024
TPPF’s Long Love Affair with Ken Paxton The attorney general’s close ties to Texas’ right-wing think tank and its large network of uber-wealthy donors and special interests Texas Observer · Apr 9, 2024
The Texas Tribune · Mar 26, 2024 Texas lawmakers and agency leaders experiment, ponder policies for an AI future Agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation are using the technology to react to crashes and prepare invoices. More uses and regulations are coming.
The Texas Tribune · Sep 19, 2023 Ken Paxton verdict heightens political tension ahead of education special session The Texas House and Senate were already far apart on “school choice.” Anger over the impeachment trial might make it even harder to find common ground.
The Texas Tribune · Jun 12, 2023 Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting rates So-called environmental, social and governance policies are often adopted by companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The new Texas bill aims to stop insurers doing business in Texas from using ESG criteria, but it doesn’t include penalties for violations.
The Guardian - US · Jun 8, 2023 Alarm at rightwing push to reverse clean-energy success in Texas and beyond Supporters of clean energy say they expect further battles ahead to prevent state’s progress in solar and wind from being unwound
The Texas Tribune · Jun 2, 2023 TribCast: The conservative plan to eliminate school property taxes in Texas On this week’s episode, we speak to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s James Quintero, who has been at the center of the debate over property taxes this week.
The Texas Tribune · Jun 2, 2023 Ken Paxton impeachment moves to Texas Senate, where conflicts of interest, political intrigue await Senators have been publicly silent, citing their role as jurors with a weighty decision: whether to remove one of the state’s top Republicans from office.
The Texas Tribune · May 30, 2023 Abbott backs Phelan’s property tax cut plan, spurring ire from Patrick The House passed a bill without Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s preferred increase to homestead exemptions — then abruptly adjourned for the special session. That basically tells the Senate to take the House bill Gov. Greg Abbott backs or leave it.
The Texas Tribune · Mar 13, 2023 National Republicans say they will spend big to oust Rep. Vicente Gonzalez from his South Texas seat in 2024 Congressional Republicans’ campaign arm will make another effort to unseat the South Texas Democrat who ran in one of the state’s most competitive races last year.