Chris Tomlinson
@cltomlinson.bsky.social
Columnist and author writing about money, politics and life in Texas. Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News.
https://lnk.bio/ChrisTomlinson
https://lnk.bio/ChrisTomlinson
It does, but the Texas Constitution is easily amended, and courts have weakened the definitions of "free" and "public."
Doesn't the Texas Constitution mandate free public schools for children? Or did I just make that up?
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It does, but the Texas Constitution is easily amended, and courts have weakened the definitions of "free" and "public."
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Doesn't the Texas Constitution mandate free public schools for children? Or did I just make that up?
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Doesn't the Texas Constitution mandate free public schools for children? Or did I just make that up?
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Keep em ignorant
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Abbott promises to starve public schools of tax revenues
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to cut property taxes will starve public schools while he sends state money to private schools.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Keep em ignorant
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
We need to get rid of this man! This logic is so back-ass-wards.
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Abbott promises to starve public schools of tax revenues
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to cut property taxes will starve public schools while he sends state money to private schools.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
We need to get rid of this man! This logic is so back-ass-wards.
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
TX repubs are no longer hiding their all-out assault on public education or their distain for the social mobility afforded through education.
They’re fine not hiding anymore because they think there are no consequences.
Deplorable.
They’re fine not hiding anymore because they think there are no consequences.
Deplorable.
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Abbott promises to starve public schools of tax revenues
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to cut property taxes will starve public schools while he sends state money to private schools.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
TX repubs are no longer hiding their all-out assault on public education or their distain for the social mobility afforded through education.
They’re fine not hiding anymore because they think there are no consequences.
Deplorable.
They’re fine not hiding anymore because they think there are no consequences.
Deplorable.
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Abbott: We are going to turn the tables on local taxing authorities and put the power with the people.
Tomlinson: Never mind that local voters elect local tax authorities.
Tomlinson: Never mind that local voters elect local tax authorities.
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Abbott promises to starve public schools of tax revenues
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to cut property taxes will starve public schools while he sends state money to private schools.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Abbott: We are going to turn the tables on local taxing authorities and put the power with the people.
Tomlinson: Never mind that local voters elect local tax authorities.
Tomlinson: Never mind that local voters elect local tax authorities.
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Abbott promises to starve public schools of tax revenues
Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to cut property taxes will starve public schools while he sends state money to private schools.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to destroy public schools by making it almost impossible for districts to raise taxes. He also said voters should have the power to reduce or eliminate school funding entirely. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Join me tomorrow @texasbookfest.bsky.social at 1 p.m. in the @texasmonthly.bsky.social tent to talk about two new books about Texas, Jeff Roche's Conservative Frontier and Benjamin Heber Johnson's Texas: An American History: texasbookfestival.org/schedule/tex...
Texas Takes Shape: Perceptions, Power and the Politics of Identity – Texas Book Festival
texasbookfestival.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Join me tomorrow @texasbookfest.bsky.social at 1 p.m. in the @texasmonthly.bsky.social tent to talk about two new books about Texas, Jeff Roche's Conservative Frontier and Benjamin Heber Johnson's Texas: An American History: texasbookfestival.org/schedule/tex...
Republicans should be worried. A year after President Donald Trump won re-election, voters across the country made clear they want something different. Here's how Texans showed their displeasure in small and subtle ways. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Tomlinson: Texas’s 2026 elections just got more interesting
Election results should worry Texas Republicans, if Democrats can get their act together.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Republicans should be worried. A year after President Donald Trump won re-election, voters across the country made clear they want something different. Here's how Texans showed their displeasure in small and subtle ways. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Guy takes job.
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Texas A&M to pay $3.5M to former president Mark Welsh after resignation
Welsh agreed to release the university system, its regents and employees from any past or potential legal action related to his employment, according to the agreement.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Guy takes job.
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
One million Texans will likely drop their health insurance if the Republican plan to cut Obamacare subsidies goes into effect. Here's why it will hurt ALL of us: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com #txlege
Tomlinson: Republican plan knocks 1 million Texans off health insurance
One million Texans will likely drop their health insurance if the Republican plan to cut Obamacare subsidies goes into effect.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
One million Texans will likely drop their health insurance if the Republican plan to cut Obamacare subsidies goes into effect. Here's why it will hurt ALL of us: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com #txlege
Alamo boss ousted for trying to balance the truth with myths. The promoters of white supremacist lies won this battle, but like the rebels in the Alamo, their cause is doomed. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Tomlinson: Alamo Help Wanted! Only fantasists need apply
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick fired the Alamo Trust CEO for introducing truth to balance white supremacist lies about Texas history.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Alamo boss ousted for trying to balance the truth with myths. The promoters of white supremacist lies won this battle, but like the rebels in the Alamo, their cause is doomed. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
"Top Republican" did the same to the authors of "Forget the Alamo" as they reported the truth about the Alamo's history. Am I right, @cltomlinson.bsky.social ?? Dan Patrick, Texas' Carpetbagger Lt. Gov., from Delaware, has declared himself the keeper of the Alamo historical flame.
October 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"Top Republican" did the same to the authors of "Forget the Alamo" as they reported the truth about the Alamo's history. Am I right, @cltomlinson.bsky.social ?? Dan Patrick, Texas' Carpetbagger Lt. Gov., from Delaware, has declared himself the keeper of the Alamo historical flame.
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Remember, friends, The Texas Revolution was fought to expand chattel slavery into Texas. Not a fight for freedom from Mexican tyranny.
Article mentions @cltomlinson.bsky.social @realjasonstanford.bsky.social and Bryan Burrough's book, Forget the Alamo. I highly recommend it.
Article mentions @cltomlinson.bsky.social @realjasonstanford.bsky.social and Bryan Burrough's book, Forget the Alamo. I highly recommend it.
CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Republican criticized her
The CEO of the nonprofit managing the Alamo has resigned after a powerful Republican state official criticized her and suggested she has views that are not compatible with the Texas shrine's history
abcnews.go.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Remember, friends, The Texas Revolution was fought to expand chattel slavery into Texas. Not a fight for freedom from Mexican tyranny.
Article mentions @cltomlinson.bsky.social @realjasonstanford.bsky.social and Bryan Burrough's book, Forget the Alamo. I highly recommend it.
Article mentions @cltomlinson.bsky.social @realjasonstanford.bsky.social and Bryan Burrough's book, Forget the Alamo. I highly recommend it.
Texas contractors give millions to Gov. Greg Abbott, creating a perception of corruption that most states and the federal government do not allow. Why the perception of corruption is as corrosive as actual bribery: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege
Tomlinson: Political connections appear to help with state contracts
State contractors give millions to Gov. Greg Abbott, creating a perception of corruption that most states and the federal government do not allow.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Texas contractors give millions to Gov. Greg Abbott, creating a perception of corruption that most states and the federal government do not allow. Why the perception of corruption is as corrosive as actual bribery: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege
Trump’s visa policies will cut legal immigration. Only the wealthy are welcome in America now. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Trump’s visa policies will mean only the wealthy are welcome in US
Supporters insisted President Donald Trump only opposed undocumented workers, but now he’s stopping legal immigration, too.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Trump’s visa policies will cut legal immigration. Only the wealthy are welcome in America now. #txlege www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Thank you @texasstandard.bsky.social for having me on to talk about taking #7-OH. Texans need to know why some say this "dietary supplement" is actually "gas station heroin." www.texasstandard.org/stories/7-oh...
‘Gas station heroin’: Drug found in convenience stores raising concerns
The FDA wants to ban 7-OH. Despite being illegal in Texas, one columnist found the substance has been easy to acquire.
www.texasstandard.org
September 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Thank you @texasstandard.bsky.social for having me on to talk about taking #7-OH. Texans need to know why some say this "dietary supplement" is actually "gas station heroin." www.texasstandard.org/stories/7-oh...
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
Pritzker: “ICE is running around the Loop harassing people for not being white. Just a year ago, that was illegal in the United States. Now, ICE is making it commonplace.”
September 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Pritzker: “ICE is running around the Loop harassing people for not being white. Just a year ago, that was illegal in the United States. Now, ICE is making it commonplace.”
The FDA wants to outlaw a drug called #7OH, an opioid-like substance found across Texas. Some also want to ban #kratom, a plant that also produces 7-OH. Naturally, I had to try them. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com
Tomlinson: I tried ‘gas station heroin.’ Why FDA wants to ban 7-OH.
The FDA is moving to ban 7-OH, an opioid-like drug sold at gas stations across Texas and nicknamed “gas station heroin.” Users and manufacturers, however, are fighting to keep it legal.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The FDA wants to outlaw a drug called #7OH, an opioid-like substance found across Texas. Some also want to ban #kratom, a plant that also produces 7-OH. Naturally, I had to try them. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com
I didn't become a journalist to parrot official statements. In Iraq I revealed how the Pentagon was sending poorly-equipped troops into harm's way. Under Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon will punish reporters who do real journalism. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Tomlinson: Pete Hegseth doesn't want reporters — only stenographers
Journalists' duty is not to echo authority but to help readers see what’s really happening. What Hegseth proposes is an Orwellian Ministry of Truth, where propaganda is the only source of...
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I didn't become a journalist to parrot official statements. In Iraq I revealed how the Pentagon was sending poorly-equipped troops into harm's way. Under Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon will punish reporters who do real journalism. www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Trump wants to stop monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA wants to destroy the evidence that oil and gas companies are destroying the climate. This will hurt Texans along the fence lines, hurt clean energy innovators: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Tomlinson: Will Trump help China benefit from more Texas innovations?
Trump’s latest effort to boost the oil and gas industry will hurt Texans’ health and innovative businesses.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Trump wants to stop monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA wants to destroy the evidence that oil and gas companies are destroying the climate. This will hurt Texans along the fence lines, hurt clean energy innovators: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege @houstonchronicle.com
Texas is staring down a water crisis, and Corpus Christi is ground zero — where politicians cater to global corporations while billionaires look to cash in on scarcity. Average Texans are going to end up holding the bag: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com #txlege
Tomlinson: Corpus Christi’s water crisis is a glimpse into Texas’s future
Texas’s water crisis is hitting Corpus Christi first, and billionaires have plans to profit.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Texas is staring down a water crisis, and Corpus Christi is ground zero — where politicians cater to global corporations while billionaires look to cash in on scarcity. Average Texans are going to end up holding the bag: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... @houstonchronicle.com #txlege
The Trump administration should investigate Texas AG Ken Paxton, who told separate lenders that three of his houses were simultaneously his permanent residence. He has also rented his fourth and fifth homes in violation of the mortgages. Details: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege
Tomlinson: Why Trump’s mortgage fraud investigations should include Ken Paxton
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton may be violating four mortgage agreements, mortgage documents, tax reports and websites suggest.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Trump administration should investigate Texas AG Ken Paxton, who told separate lenders that three of his houses were simultaneously his permanent residence. He has also rented his fourth and fifth homes in violation of the mortgages. Details: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col... #txlege
Reposted by Chris Tomlinson
PRITZKER: “.. The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke.”
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
September 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM
PRITZKER: “.. The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke.”
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Texas has $1.1 trillion in real estate at risk from severe climate change-related disasters, as the Trump administration downplays the danger and deletes research that could help protect from future storms. #txlege #climate #weather Trying a free link: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...
Tomlinson: Texans have $1.1 trillion in property at risk of extreme weather
Insurers say $1.1 trillion in Texas real estate is at risk from extreme weather caused by climate change, preparations needed.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Texas has $1.1 trillion in real estate at risk from severe climate change-related disasters, as the Trump administration downplays the danger and deletes research that could help protect from future storms. #txlege #climate #weather Trying a free link: www.houstonchronicle.com/business/col...