Government and Politics

DSHS is requesting $20 million from state lawmakers to support local health department capacity. DSHS officials are also requesting additional funding to maintain the Texas HIV Medication Program, which serves about 24,000 lower-income Texans living with HIV.

Texas health department requests additional funding to support local departments, maintain programs

Abigail Ruhman

The Texas Department of State Health Services is requesting $230 million in additional funding from state lawmakers to support local health departments, maintain critical programs and handle new responsibilities. On Friday, the agency presented its budget request ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

Police stand in Jersey City, N.J., with One World Trade Center visible in the background as they participate in an event on Friday honoring the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

As Americans gather to remember 9/11, they're also divided about its legacy

Bill Chappell, Brian Mann

Events in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania honored those lost 25 years ago on Sept. 11, at a time when Americans are divided about the meaning and legacy of the terrorist attacks.

President Trump watches as balloons fall at the Republican convention Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Dallas.

Empty seats, socialism and Trump dominate the Republican midterm convention

Stephen Fowler

The two day Republican convention in Dallas showcased the party's biggest asset in trying to win competitive midterm races and its greatest obstacle: President Trump.

As of late August, more than 210,000 Texans are waiting for their Medicaid application to be processed – and more than 150,000 are waiting for an eligibility worker to review their SNAP application. Last week, HHSC submitted its budget request to the state legislature asking for funding to make more than 640 temporary eligibility workers permanent employees.

Texas health agency asks lawmakers for additional funding to address growing Medicaid, SNAP backlogs

Abigail Ruhman

Texas Health and Human Services is asking the state Legislature for the funding to make more than 600 temporary eligibility worker positions into permanent jobs. The ask comes as Texas' backlog of Medicaid and Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, applications continues to grow.

A committee attendee holds a Don’t mess with Texas Public Schools sign during the Senate Education Committee hearing at the Texas Capitol.

Texas Comptroller requests $2 billion to expand school voucher program

Bianca Seward

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has requested legislators double the money behind the state’s private school voucher program to $2 billion. More than 100,000 students sit on the waitlist, but critics argue there is little evidence vouchers are delivering on their promises to justify expanding the program.

As Texas Monthly contributor Nicholas Gutteridge reports, the days of Texas leaders wanting citizens to know what politicians are saying and doing behind closed doors are behind us.

Why one expert says government transparency in Texas is long gone

Miranda Suarez, Ron Corning

As Texas Monthly contributor Nicholas Gutteridge reports, the days of Texas leaders wanting citizens to know what politicians are saying and doing behind closed doors are behind us.

The American Airlines Center will be home to the 2026 Republican Midterm Convention Sept. 9 and Sept. 10.

GOP's first midterm convention kicks off Wednesday, putting Dallas at center of national politics

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela, Dylan Duke

The Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention begins in Dallas as Trump and GOP leaders rally voters, while Democrats prepare their own counterprogramming ahead of November.

There were more than 60,000 births in Houston in 2023, according to the Houston Health Department.

Texas state leaders aim to crack down on alleged birth tourism, as Trump’s executive order hits legal barrier

Andrew Schneider

Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are leading related efforts target businesses they say are encouraging noncitizens to come to Texas to give birth, in order to gain U.S. citizenship for their children.

Details of electrical transformers at the Austin Energy/Sand Hill Energy Center in Del Valle on March 24, 2020. Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune

Texas cities say Abbott’s proposal to disband their electric companies won’t lower costs

Paul Cobler

On the campaign trail, the governor said dismantling city-owned utilities will save customers money by introducing competition.

American dairy farms, like this one in Sauk City, Wisconsin, are expected to feel the impact of new retaliatory tariffs from Canada on dairy products, agriculture equipment parts and more.

As the U.S. and Canada slap new tariffs on goods, American farmers are stuck in the middle

Hope Kirwan

After trade talks between the countries fell apart last month, the Trump administration and Canada's leaders have rolled out new tariffs on everything from dairy products to machinery. Experts say farmers will likely feel the squeeze on both ends.