Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott
The five-term state lawmaker from Austin has homed in on education issues in the Texas House, becoming a primary foil to Abbott on school vouchers. Full Story
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![Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, speaks on the phone at her desk on the House floor on May 19, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: How long can Texas Democrats hold out?
In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, about her and her colleagues’ decision to flee the state, the potential financial and criminal penalties and her opposition to the state’s proposed new congressional map. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, looks at a packet of maps during a Congressional Redistricting committee meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formula
Senators in the finance committee asked questions Monday about the pros and cons of basing the amount of money that schools get per student on enrollment instead of attendance. Districts say the change could mean millions in additional funding. Full Story
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![The sun sets over Lufkin High School in Lufkin on Jan. 29, 2023. Public school officials in rural areas like Lufkin face budget challenges because of proposed school choice legislation, which provides taxpayer-funded alternatives to sending a child to a local public school.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democratic Caucus elects Trey Martinez Fischer as its new chair
Martinez Fischer replaces Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who has led the caucus since 2017 and did not seek reelection. Full Story
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![State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Austin after Democrats broke quorum in opposition to Senate Bill 7, a sweeping GOP voting bill. May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
In fast-growing Central Texas, redistricting sparks political reshuffling in upcoming statehouse and congressional races
The fast-growing region likely will see a considerable number of new state and federal lawmakers after the 2022 election. And in many cases, they will be representing districts whose boundaries have significantly shifted. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
San Antonio City Council asks Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to address gun violence
The council joins more than 15 Democratic state representatives who have requested a special session after the shooting in an El Paso Walmart that left 22 shoppers dead earlier this month. Full Story
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![As newly sworn-in city council members look on, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg speaks to the crowd at his Wednesday swearing in at the Arneson River Theater on the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 21, 2017.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Austin-area Reps. Hinojosa, Howard and Rodriguez talk immigration, special education
Watch the full video of our conversation in Austin with state Reps. Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez. Or check out our full recap. Full Story
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Some in Texas Legislature call for rethinking state's gun laws
Following the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history, some Democrats and at least one Republican in the Texas Legislature are calling on state leaders to take a hard look at the state's gun laws. Full Story
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![State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, discusses ways to control gun violence at a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. Behind her, left to right: state Reps. Ramon Romero Jr., D-Fort Worth, Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, and Ed Scruggs, vice chairman of Texas Gun Sense.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Hinojosa, Howard and Watson on public ed, taxes, CPS (video)
Full video of Evan Smith's 4/10 conversation at Austin Community College with three state legislators from Austin: Reps. Gina Hinojosa and Donna Howard and Sen. Kirk Watson. Full Story
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A Conversation with Incoming House Members (Video)
Full video of our 9/15 conversation with three incoming members of the Texas House: Republican Kyle Biedermann of Fredericksburg and Democrats Lina Ortega of El Paso and Gina Hinojosa of Austin. Full Story
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