Opinion

WITH TRUST IN GOVERNMENT WANING, a Texas law can help keep a closer watch on public officials. Even citizens who continue to have faith in government can use this law to stay better informed. How is taxpayer money spent? What’s happening behind the scenes as government decisions are made?

LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK, as leader of the Texas Senate, conducted a sham trial while claiming to be unbiased in the impeachment hearing of Ken Paxton and had us all fooled.

Paxton trial completes first week The first week of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in the Senate ended with his former lead law enforcement officer testifying an Austin developer alleged to have bribed Paxton constructed a “conspiracy theory” that federal officials...

Child care centers closing across state An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported.

Wildfire chances increasing across state The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Patrick issues gag order ahead of trial Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week issued a sweeping gag order ahead of the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Houston Chronicle reported, saying “out-of-court statements” by both sides threaten to jeopardize the trial.

IT’S NO SECRET that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill—the Community News & Small Business Support Act—that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses.

Tax-relief plan headed to governor Proponents are calling it the “biggest property tax cut in Texas history.” Both chambers of the Texas Legislature passed an $18 billion package during the second special session, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

House Democrats’ tax plan would help renters Texas House Democrats unveiled a $20.9 billion plan for property tax relief that drops tax rates, increases the homestead exemption, gives annual rebates to renters, and includes pay raises for teachers, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Dear Texas Panhandle,