The Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rules
| March 24, 2025
censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | COLLEGE STUDENTS | CULTURE | Donald Trump | EQUALITY | LGBTQ | politcal | political | politics | state legislature | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | trump
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System from enforcing a ban on drag shows being held at its special event venues. Judge Lee H. Rosenthal said the student group that organizes Draggieland, the Queer Empowerment Council, was likely to succeed in showing the ban violates the First Amendment.
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.
| March 17, 2025
CHILDCARE | EDUCATION | JOBS | lawmakers | politcal | political | politics | public school | schools | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.
Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.
| March 6, 2025
bookbans | books | censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | libraries | library | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS
Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books.
Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI
| February 27, 2025
censorship | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | EXTREMISM | HIGHER EDUCATION | lawmakers | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS
At a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they don’t “kick DEI out of their schools,” a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.
As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes
| February 18, 2025
Some Texans who install residential batteries, solar panels and smart thermostats can now send power back to the grid and get a credit on their bill.
Texas Senate panel votes to cut property taxes for homeowners
| February 11, 2025
ECONOMY | HOUSING | lawmakers | politcal | political | politics | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | TEXAS SENATE
A Texas Senate committee on Tuesday quickly and unanimously advanced a proposal to provide billions of dollars in tax breaks to homeowners in a bid to blunt the state’s high property tax bills.