Half of Texas voters believe the impeachment of Ken Paxton was justified, poll finds
The attorney general’s fellow Republicans were about evenly split in their approval and disapproval, the University of Texas poll determined. Full Story
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Patrick Svitek is the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick covers elections, state leaders, the Legislature and political trends across the state. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recites the Pledge of Allegiance at a Trump Rally in Conroe on Jan. 29, 2022.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Julie Johnson announces she is running for U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s seat
Johnson, first elected to the Texas House in 2018, joins a crowded primary to succeed Allred, who is giving up his solidly Democratic seat to run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz next year. Full Story
![State Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carollton, speaks to the press in Austin to announce the new LGBTQ Caucus on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
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Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial will begin Sept. 5, with his attendance required
Senators, who will sit as a court of impeachment for the suspended attorney general, spent two days drafting rules that were adopted late Wednesday. Full Story
![State Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, speaks at a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes more than 70 bills amid property tax impasse
The governor says other issues aren’t as important as breaking a House-Senate stalemate over the best course on reducing property taxes. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the press before signing eight bills during a public safety bill signing session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 6, 2023]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
As Paxton allies press to avoid impeachment trial, House managers warn against “sham” proceeding
All eyes are on a secretive Senate committee that is drafting rules for an impeachment trial. Those rules are expected to be presented to the Texas Senate on Tuesday. Full Story
![Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks during a press conference at the Republican Party of Texas headquarters in Austin on June 7, 2023.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens string of vetoes if lawmakers can’t agree on property tax cuts
With several hundred bills awaiting action by the governor, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the veto threat an affront to Texans and the legislative process. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender-affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats aim for unity ahead of expected primary to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Lose Cruz, a new super PAC, promises big spending to help the party’s eventual nominee in the 2024 campaign. Full Story
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, departs the Senate Republican's policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Rod Lamkey/CNP/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
On property tax impasse, Gov. Greg Abbott appears open to House-Senate compromise
The special session churns on with the House adjourned, the Senate still working and the governor welcoming an agreement that has thus far eluded lawmakers. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t renew his COVID-19 disaster declaration later this week
Texas appears to be the last state with a broad pandemic declaration, which was begun in 2020, still in place. Full Story
![Gov. Greg Abbott signs six bills relating to border security at the state Capitol in Austin on June 8, 2023. “Washington D.C. has failed to do its job to secure the border,” Abbott said “As a result, Texas has had to take unprecedented steps in responding to the crisis caused by the Biden administration on the border, and in response the Texas legislature has stepped up to make sure that we will be able to more robustly respond.”]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Appeals court dismisses GOP megadonor’s lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke
Billionaire Kelcy Warren claimed that he was defamed by the Democratic candidate’s criticism of the power-grid failure in 2021. Full Story
![Gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke greets attendees during a Get Out the Vote Rally hosted by the Asian American Democrats of Texas in Asiatown on October 15, 2022.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune
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