Civil Rights Movement in Texas: A Timeline
Key milestones in both the Black and Chicano civil rights movements in Texas from the 1940s to the 1980s.
editorMay 29, 2025
Ghost Voting: The Tradition of Proxy Voting in the Texas House
Exploring a Texas House practice that’s long tolerated, rarely enforced, and often misunderstood.
The 1974 Texas Constitutional Convention That Failed
Large-scale structural reform effort for 100-year anniversary of Texas' constitution.
editorMay 4, 2025
Segregation in Texas: Understanding the Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow segregation limited the freedom of Black Texans for generations. It was upheld through law, policing, mob violence, and rigid social hierarchies.
editorMay 30, 2025
Texas’ Little-Known Right to Split Itself into 5 States
Uniquely among U.S. states, Texas was admitted to the Union with a pre-approved 'entitlement' to further divide itself into up to five states.
editorNovember 21, 2022
Map of Texas Under Mexican Rule in 1833
In the early 1830s, Texas was a northern frontier province of the Mexican Republic, governed as part of the larger state of Coahuila y Tejas.
editorMay 21, 2025
The Failed 1999 School Finance Constitutional Amendment
In 1999, Texas lawmakers proposed a sweeping constitutional amendment to fix the state’s deeply flawed school finance system.
editorMay 4, 2025
A Brief Guide to Distinctive Features of Texas Culture
A closer look at the speech, customs, food, and everyday rhythms that make Texas culture uniquely its own
editorMay 3, 2025
Key Figures in the Texas Revolution
Quick biographies of Sam Houston, William Travis, Davy Crockett, Juan Seguin, Jim Bowie, Susanna Dickinson, and Lorenzo de Zavala.
editorMay 24, 2025
10 Myths and Misconceptions About Texas Government
Understanding how Texas government actually works means separating political folklore from legal fact.
editorMay 2, 2025
Charging and Indictments in Texas
How criminal charges are filed, reviewed, and challenged in Texas before a case ever reaches trial.
editorApril 26, 2025
Law Enforcement in Texas
Mapping Texas' vast and complex law enforcement system
editorNovember 19, 2022
How to Amend the Texas Constitution
Understanding the two-step process for changing the state constitution
editorApril 17, 2025
Types of Local Government in Texas
Understanding Texas' political subdivisions
editorFebruary 17, 2025
Map of River Basins in Texas
Get to know Texas geography: Map of the drainage basins of major rivers.
editorFebruary 3, 2025
Map of Ports in Texas
Detailed map of Texas' 23 commercial seaports and navigation channels
editorApril 28, 2025
Independent School Districts in Texas
Understanding the structure of the public school system in Texas
editorNovember 19, 2022
Commissioner of Education
The Commissioner of Education heads the Texas Education Agency, the state’s primary authority on public education policy.
editorMay 19, 2025
The Edgewood v. Kirby Case and School Finance Reform
How a 1989 Texas Supreme Court decision forced the state to confront deep funding disparities between wealthy and impoverished school districts.
editorMay 15, 2025