Texas Tribune Brief

Get the latest news on Texas politics and policy from The Texas Tribune now on Amazon Alexa. With reporters based in Austin, Washington, D.C., and on the U.S.–Mexico border, we are your go-to source for news on statewide issues.

Last refreshed: July 25th, 2025 at 8:56 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Property tax cuts moving quickly as Texas Senate passes key parts of the long-awaited deal

The legislative package could make its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk before the week’s end. Voters must then approve the plan via a constitutional election in November for it to take effect in the 2023 tax year.

Jul 13, 2023•6 min

Limited regulations put responsibility of preventing on-the-job heat injuries on Texas workers

Drinking water frequently and resting in the shade are minimum safety measures for avoiding injury and death during triple-digit temperatures. But they are not applied to every job site.

Jul 12, 2023•7 min

State House and Senate strike deal on how to cut Texans’ property taxes

The compromise would put more than $12 billion toward reducing the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. It’s expected to pass later this week.

Jul 11, 2023•6 min

State of Texas bars HOAs from discriminating against renters receiving federal housing aid

State lawmakers passed the law after a North Texas homeowners’ association banned landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants. Most of the affected renters in that neighborhood were Black.

Jul 10, 2023•6 min

‘I want them to haunt you’: Man who killed 23 at El Paso Walmart hears from victims’ families

During the gunman’s sentencing, relatives of those killed nearly four years ago are telling him how he upended their lives.

Jul 07, 2023•7 min

1.4M Texans’ student debts won’t be canceled. But a new loan repayment plan could bring savings.

After the U.S. Supreme Court ended President Joe Biden’s debt cancellation program, advocates for lowering student loan debt say the federal SAVE plan, an updated loan repayment program, could save Texans and other borrowers a lot of money in interest.

Jul 06, 2023•6 min

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android

Texas Tribune Brief

Episodes

Property tax cuts moving quickly as Texas Senate passes key parts of the long-awaited deal

Limited regulations put responsibility of preventing on-the-job heat injuries on Texas workers

State House and Senate strike deal on how to cut Texans’ property taxes

State of Texas bars HOAs from discriminating against renters receiving federal housing aid

‘I want them to haunt you’: Man who killed 23 at El Paso Walmart hears from victims’ families

1.4M Texans’ student debts won’t be canceled. But a new loan repayment plan could bring savings.

Suspended Texas AG Ken Paxton won’t testify at his impeachment trial, defense attorney says

Judge orders Texas Department of Public Safety to release records related to Uvalde shooting response

With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer their initial pitches on property tax cuts

First special session ends with Texas lawmakers still deadlocked on property taxes