The Latest Breaking News from Tom Craddick

Texas comptroller primary: Who is running and what to know

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is the state’s chief financial officer. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 primary and where they stand.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 30

Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agency

One candidate received about $1 million within an eight-day span from the head of a Dallas tax firm — and 72 of his employees — that helps corporations secure tax breaks under comptroller-run programs.

The Texas Tribune · Dec 24, 2025

Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.

In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 6, 2025

Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?

Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers.

The Texas Tribune · Nov 21, 2024

Republican former state Rep. Jim Pitts has died at 77

The Waxahachie Republican served as chief budget writer for the Texas House for nearly a decade. He died in Dallas surrounded by loved ones.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 21, 2024

Five new candidates declare in Texas

Ballotpedia tracked five new state-level candidates in Texas between Nov. 13-19. This was two more candidates than the prior week. 

Ballotpedia · Nov 22, 2023

Bills advance to close loophole allowing some lawmakers to increase their pay to $140,000

Two bills that advanced in House and Senate committees on Wednesday both exempt any lawmaker who has already taken advantage of the benefit.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 29, 2023

Lawmakers could no longer “double dip” into pension funds under newly filed bill

State Sen. Joan Huffman filed a bill that would repeal a provision that allowed longtime lawmakers to increase their yearly take-home income by $140,000 by collecting pension payments without retiring.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 3, 2023

Why three longtime Texas lawmakers are now eligible for an extra $140,000 a year

A few of Texas’ most veteran lawmakers may have seen their part-time legislative compensation skyrocket from $7,200 to nearly $150,000 annually, thanks to a law passed quietly at the end of the 2021 legislative session.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 20, 2023

DISRUPT, DEPLETE, DESTROY

This is merely the latest incarnation of a decades-old Republican playbook to discredit, defund, and ultimately destroy the Texas public education system.

Texas Observer · Mar 21, 2022