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Practicing Texas Politics, 19th Edition

Lyle C. Brown, Joyce A. Langenegger, Robert E. Biles, Veronica Vega Reyna, Juan Carlos Huerta

  • Copyright 2026
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2025-07-30T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $79.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Practicing Texas Politics 19th Edition by Lyle C. Brown/Joyce A. Langenegger/Robert E. Biles/Veronica Vega Reyna/Juan Carlos Huerta
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Overview

Delivering the most up-to-date coverage available, Brown/Langenegger/Garcia/Biles/Reyna/Huerta/Farmer-Neal/Altema McNeely's "Practicing Texas Politics," 19th Edition, gives students an up-close view of how public policy making is conducted in the Lone Star State. It includes a special focus on the role of a growing and multi-faceted Latino population in all aspects of Texas government, actions of the 88th and 89th Regular Legislative Sessions, effects of the 2024 elections, changes to Texas’s judicial branch and the impact of the oil and gas industry on state finances. Questions and narrative features are specifically identified with critical thinking, communication, social responsibility and other state competency skill designations. With the MindTap digital learning solution, you can easily customize your course so your students can fit learning into their day -- anywhere, anytime.

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Meet the Authors

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Lyle C. Brown

Lyle C. Brown, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Baylor University, where he served as departmental director of graduate studies and director of Baylor's Foreign Service Program. A former president of the Southwestern Council of Latin American Studies, Dr. Brown is the co-editor of RELIGION IN LATIN AMERICAN LIFE AND LITERATURE and the author of numerous articles. His international academic experience includes teaching at Mexico City College (now University of the Americas) and postgraduate study at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Dr. Brown has served as delegate to county and state political party conventions. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Joyce A. Langenegger

Joyce Langenegger, Ph.D., teaches government at Blinn College, where she is the executive director of academic success. She also is a frequent workshop presenter on innovative teaching strategies. Named to the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" listing, Dr. Langenegger has been honored with a NISOD Teaching Excellence Award, a Blinn College-Bryan Teacher of the Year award and a San Jacinto College "Most Valuable Player" award for her work as a professor and administrator at that institution. Before beginning her teaching career, Dr. Langenegger practiced law in Houston. She received Master of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Baylor University and Master of Arts and doctoral degrees from Fielding Graduate University.

Robert E. Biles

Robert E. Biles, Ph.D., professor emeritus and former chair of political science at Sam Houston State University, has taught college students about Texas politics in Texas, Colombia and Ecuador. The author of numerous books and articles, he has been involved in politics at multiple levels, including service as a school board member, county party chair, county election supervisor and staff member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also has advised state agencies and held leadership positions in statewide lobbying groups and professional organizations. Dr. Biles has received four Fulbright grants and also awards for his research, teaching and administrative service. He received his Master of Arts and his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Veronica Vega Reyna

Veronica Vega Reyna is associate professor of government and assistant dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences for Austin Community College. She has been faculty advisor to a civil rights organization at ACC. Professor Reyna earned her M.A. in Political Science from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where she taught as adjunct faculty. Her political involvement has included interning for Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, working as a union organizer, and volunteering in various Texas campaigns. She has also taught Texas politics at colleges and universities in San Antonio.

Juan Carlos Huerta

Juan Carlos Huerta is a professor of political science and former director of the University Core Curriculum Programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Active in promoting teaching and learning in political science, he served as chair of the Political Science Education Organized Section of the American Political Science Association and was on the program committee for the APSA Conference on Teaching and Learning. He also is a former president of the Southwestern Political Science Association. Dr. Huerta's research and writing examine political representation, public opinion, political science education and learning communities. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Houston.

Table of Contents

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1. The Environment of Texas Politics.
2. Federalism and the Texas Constitution.
3. Local Governments.
4. Political Parties.
5. Campaigns and Elections.
6. The Media and Politics.
7. The Politics of Interest Groups.
8. The Legislative Branch.
9. The Executive Branch.
10. The Judicial Branch.
11. Finance and Fiscal Policy.
12. Public Policy and Administration.
13. The Criminal Justice System.

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Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

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  • ISBN-10: 8214145147
  • ISBN-13: 9798214145143
  • RETAIL $84.95
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Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 821414521X
  • ISBN-13: 9798214145211
  • RETAIL $79.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214145090
  • ISBN-13: 9798214145099
  • RETAIL $169.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Brown/Langenegger/Biles/Reyna/Huerta/Farmer-Neal/Altema/Rijkhoff's Practicing Texas Politics, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214145143
MindTap for Brown/Langenegger/Garcia/Biles/Reyna/Huerta/Farmer-Neal/Alte's "Practicing Texas Politics," 19th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.