For better or worse, Texas is not becoming more like the rest of America. The rest of America is becoming more like Texas. Read this book to understand what that means.
The new edition adds a fascinating chapter on the “shadow governor” (the Lt. Governor) and how the current dynamic between the Governor’s mansion and the Texas Senate has led to policy gridlock on property tax relief and school vouchers. For the first time in several editions, the book dedicates significant space to municipal politics—specifically, the 2019 law that ended forced annexation by cities. Without the ability to annex suburbs, Texas cities are now landlocked. The authors explore how this is leading to housing affordability crises in Austin and Dallas, as cities can’t grow outward, only upward. Is This Book Worth Your Time? If you’re a student: Yes. The 12th edition includes updated “What Do You Think?” boxes that tackle current controversies (bathroom bills, DEI bans in higher ed, and border security). The chapter on criminal justice and the death penalty in Texas is particularly strong. government and politics in the lone star state 12th edition
New in this edition: A deep dive into how the constitution’s strict “pay-as-you-go” budget rule and part-time legislature (meeting only 140 days every two years) struggled to respond to Winter Storm Uri. The authors don’t take sides, but they force you to ask: Is a 19th-century document capable of managing a 21st-century energy grid? Texas is one of only four states with a true part-time legislature. The 12th edition updates the ongoing debate about pay ($600 per month plus $221 per diem) and staff resources. For better or worse, Texas is not becoming