INSIDER

JOE STRAUS

Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far right

Read full article: Texas’ Republican old guard mobilizes to protect Dade Phelan from the far right

Phelan’s primary has emerged as a last stand for the Republican Party’s business-minded establishment against an insurgency primarily motivated by social and cultural issues.

Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positions

Read full article: Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positions

Straus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly.

When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a difference

Read full article: When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a difference

Readers sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions.

Texas GOP’s swing to far right cemented with party platform

Read full article: Texas GOP’s swing to far right cemented with party platform

Ten years ago, the Texas Republican Party used its platform to oppose teaching critical thinking in schools.

Former legislative leaders from both parties oppose Abbott veto of legislative funding as state defends him

Read full article: Former legislative leaders from both parties oppose Abbott veto of legislative funding as state defends him

In a new court filing, the attorney general's office said the governor properly used his veto power when he nixed funding for the Legislature in response to House Democrats walkout over a Republican priority bill on elections.

Point of Order: Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus explains why he voted for Joe Biden last year

Read full article: Point of Order: Former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus explains why he voted for Joe Biden last year

Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune. Dan Patrick and the far-right wing of the Texas GOP over issues including a bill that sought to regulate which bathrooms transgender Texans could use. AdIn Tuesday’s podcast, he continued his vocal opposition to “culture war” issues that have dominated political discourse in recent years. “For the moment, I’m a stay-and-fight Republican,” Straus said. This story about Tribune CEO Evan Smith's interview with Joe Straus was written by Shawn Mulcahy.

Judge rejects GOP effort to throw out 127,000 Houston votes

Read full article: Judge rejects GOP effort to throw out 127,000 Houston votes

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON – A federal judge on Monday rejected another last-ditch Republican effort to invalidate nearly 127,000 votes in Houston because the ballots were cast at drive-thru polling centers established during the pandemic. Another 20,000 or more voters had been expected to use drive-thru polling locations Tuesday, Hollins said earlier Monday. “I cannot in good faith encourage voters to cast their votes in tents if that puts their votes at risk,” he said. Harris County offered 10 drive-thru locations as an option for its nearly 5 million residents amid worries of spreading the coronavirus. More than 40% of Harris County residents are Latino, and about one in five residents are Black.