Rick Perry

Texas is the biggest climate polluter in the U.S. It’s also is also extremely vulnerable to some of the impacts of climate change. But the state’s most prominent politicians say they don’t believe that climate change is real. It all adds up to a big problem for Texas and the rest of us.

Texas Governor Rick Perry ordered 1,000 National Guard soldiers to the border, saying the deployment is needed to stop cross-border drug smuggling. But the move is getting mixed reviews from locals and law enforcement officials, who argue it’s a job for police.

Texas Governor Rick Perry announced the deployment of National Guard troops to the border, saying a surge of undocumented immigrants has boosted crime. But analysts disagree with why Perry made the decision — and they don’t think the troops will help.Texas Governor Rick Perry announced the deployment of National Guard troops to the border, saying a surge of undocumented immigrants has boosted crime. But analysts disagree with why Perry made the decision — and they don’t think the troops will help.

The Obama administration is arguing that the federal government should continue to “preclear” changes in Texas voting laws because of the state’s history of voter discrimination. Texas state officials say there has been no “rampant” discrimination in the state’s recent history.

In Texas, legislators from both parties believe their positions on abortion are in line with Latino voters. Republicans, the party behind the state’s new anti-abortion bill, see themselves as in sync with Latino Catholics, for example. But because the bill has the potential to impact lower-class women more, Democrats see themselves as more aligned.