SpaceX on Monday chose to place its first commercial launch complex on Boca Chica beach near Brownsville. The announcement solidified Texas’ leading position in the country’s space program even as it transitions to one with greater opportunities for private companies.
Todd Hunter
The Brief: Aug. 1, 2014
Ted Cruz has become the latest D.C.-based practitioner of the Pottery Barn rule: He broke the border bill, and now, possibly more than any other single person, he owns it.
Rivalry Game Fundraising a Growing Political Trend
The Longhorns and Sooners won’t be the only ones looking for a win this weekend in Dallas. More than 30 Texas legislators are hoping to turn the Red River Rivalry game into campaign cash.
An Expensive Celebration, Courtesy of the Lobby
End-of-session dinners are commonplace for legislative committees at the end of the session, and they can be lavish affairs. One this week cost more than $22,000.
The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Hunter and Farenthold
At our Hot Seat conversation at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, talked state and national politics and previewed both the 83rd session and the 113th Congress.
Updated: The 2012 Quit List
So far, 27 26 members of the Texas House, four members of the Texas Senate, three State Board of Education members and two U.S. congressmen have said they won’t seek re-election.
Defeated Candidates Ask Voters for Another Shot
They lost in 2010, but some candidates are hoping by now that voters have changed their minds. The 2012 ballot will be stippled with officeholders who were cast out by voters last election but want to try again.
The 2012 Elections, Off to a Stumbling Start
Candidates began filing for the March 6 primary elections Monday, while the Texas attorney general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block legislative and congressional maps drawn by a San Antonio court โ even if it means delaying some primaries to May 22.
Representatives Move Back Redistricting
House lawmakers will get another day to pore over redistricting maps, after Democratic members vehemently opposed an effort to change the deadline for submitting amendments.
Election Contest Committee Sides With Howard
The House Election Contest Committee unanimously voted today to uphold Rep. Will Hartnett’s determination that Donna Howard won the long-disputed HD-48 seat.

