News · TX
Texas emergency order eases diesel and trucking rules
Economy and jobsThe governor acted after diesel reached a gallon, suspending emissions rules and changing truck weight and fuel-use limits.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 30, 2026
Editors · Policy and legislation
The Ballot Texas Policy Desk
Legislation, budgets and ballot measures in Texas
The Policy Desk covers the bills, budgets and ballot measures moving through Texas, explained in plain language and sourced from public records.
31 stories published
News · TX
Women win suit for air conditioning in Texas prisons
Public safetyThe women called the “lionesses” prevailed in a lawsuit seeking air conditioning across the Texas prison system.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 29, 2026
News · TX
Fetterman misspeaks about party at Texas Tribune Festival
Elections and votingThe Pennsylvania senator drew laughter after calling himself a Republican, then reaffirmed that he remains a Democrat.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 28, 2026
News · TX
Texas GOP’s Latino voter strategy faces a 2026 test
ImmigrationA congressional map built around Trump’s 2024 gains may face pressure from immigration crackdowns and rising costs in South Texas.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · TX
2026 Texas elections: Key races and candidates
Elections and votingTexas voters will decide a U.S. Senate seat, all 38 U.S. House seats and three statewide offices on Nov. 3.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · TX
Abbott proposes screen time limits in Texas schools
EducationGov. Greg Abbott has proposed limiting screen time in Texas schools, placing classroom technology use on the state education agenda.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · TX
Abbott pauses Texas data center permits for grid audit
Elections and votingTexas will stop issuing state permits for data centers until an audit of the power grid is complete.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 24, 2026
News · TX
Abbott orders pause on Texas data center permits
Elections and votingThe governor’s directive temporarily stops covered data center permit decisions while the state determines the next steps.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 23, 2026
News · TX
Texas and California introduce data center rules
Elections and votingThe two states have introduced new rules for data centers, with their practical effects depending on each state’s final legal text and timeline.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · TX
Cornyn says he will not vote for Bo French
Elections and votingCornyn has ruled out voting for Bo French in a Texas race but has not identified an alternative choice.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 18, 2026
News · TX
Family says Texas abortion ban caused pregnant woman’s death
Health careThe family sued Attorney General Ken Paxton and the doctors who treated the woman after she died from a pregnancy-related condition.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 17, 2026
News · TX
Texas police department ordered to close
Public safetyThe department was ordered to shut down after failing to provide a public benefit, Dallas News reported.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 16, 2026
News · TX
Texas charges align with Trump focus on noncitizen voting
Elections and votingFederal charges in Texas put election enforcement at the center of Trump’s broader attention to voting by noncitizens.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 16, 2026
News · TX
Conroe funds 51 Flock cameras as Texas governments pull back
Public safetyConroe continues paying for 51 cameras as Dallas plans a major reduction and 23 Texas governments reconsider Flock systems.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 15, 2026
Candidate profile · TX
Candidate profile: Jade Simmons for U.S. Senate
Elections and votingIndependent Jade Simmons is among 36 candidates listed in Texas’ contested 2026 U.S. Senate race.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 9, 2026
Candidate profile · TX
Tony Schmoker: 2026 Texas U.S. Senate candidate profile
Elections and votingTony Schmoker is a Republican candidate in Texas’ contested 2026 U.S. Senate race, with the general election set for Nov. 3.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 8, 2026
Candidate profile · TX
Candidate profile: Jennifer Tawanda Brown Gaines
Elections and votingJennifer Tawanda Brown Gaines is an LBL candidate in Texas’ contested 2026 U.S. Senate race.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskAug 30, 2026
News · TX
Poll puts Talarico ahead of Paxton, Abbott ahead of Hinojosa
Elections and votingThe survey shows different leaders in two Texas matchups, but polling remains a snapshot rather than an election result.
The Ballot Texas Policy DeskAug 27, 2026