Critics denounce Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick’s “invasion” rhetoric on immigration, saying it will incite violence
“If people die again, blood will be on your hands,” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote in a tweet. Full Story
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Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Supreme Court tosses Texas-led Affordable Care Act challenge, preserving sweeping health care law
The 7-2 ruling said the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to sue over the law. The court’s ruling did not include an official opinion on whether the law, commonly known as Obamacare, was constitutional. Full Story
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![Protestors gathered in front of the Supreme Court in Washington D.C., in 2015, to show support for the Affordable Care Act.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million "down payment" for border wall
The governor did not specify how long the wall would be or where it would be built. He directed the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a program manager to begin that research. Full Story
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A year after Vanessa Guillén’s death, lawmakers and advocates call for Congress to pass military sexual assault reform bill
A federal bill was recently reintroduced, proposing sweeping changes to the way the military investigates sexual assault and harassment allegations. Texas lawmakers are urging Congress to make it law. Full Story
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![Vanessa Guillen's sisters Lupe Guillen, left, and Mayra Guillen speak at a press conference regarding legislation that would designate Sept. 30, Guillen’s Birthday, as ‘Vanessa Guillen Day’ on April 20, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Dozens who died in Texas prisons during the pandemic had been granted parole, new report shows
At any given time, thousands of Texas prisoners have been approved for parole but not yet released. At least 42 of those people died in the 12 months after the coronavirus first swept the state. Full Story
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![Female prisoners line up inside a state jail.]()
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Analysis: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott feels the heat
The governor wants to talk about the border. But it’s hot, and recent history has Texans worried about electricity as temperatures climb and regulators call for conservation. Full Story
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to target critical race theory in a special session, but is so far mum on details
The governor said Wednesday he would add the issue to the agenda for an anticipated special session. Full Story
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![Fifth graders at Jacob’s Well Elementary School in Wimberley lineup at the door as they prepare to walk back to their classroom from the science lab on Sept. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says power grid better than ever as Texans asked to cut back electricity use
A number of power plants were inexplicably offline at the same time that Texas was experiencing record June demand for electricity. ERCOT officials are still working to determine why. Full Story
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![Details of electrical transformers at the Austin Energy/Sand Hill Energy Center
in Del Valle on March 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1, after Gov. Greg Abbott signs permitless carry bill into law
Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republicans who were initially noncommittal about the bill were under immense political pressure this session from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry. Full Story
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![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill that would outlaw abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned
The law would almost immediately outlaw abortions in Texas if a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit the procedure. The governor’s signature comes after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could pave the way for more state restrictions on abortion access. Full Story
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Vice President Kamala Harris says Texas is key example of why a new federal elections law is needed
After their walkout to derail a priority GOP voting bill, Harris met with Texas Democrats at the White House as lawmakers call on Congress to pass legislation to restore federal oversight of elections. Full Story
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![Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a meeting with Democratic Texas state lawmakers in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington D.C. on June 16, 2021. The Democratic Texas state lawmakers are meeting with Vice President Harris to push for national voting rights and election reform legislation.]()
Credit: Sipa USA via Reuters Connect -
For immigrants with protected status in Texas, U.S. Supreme Court ruling about green card ineligibility sent a "shockwave"
The high court ruled that immigrants granted protection from deportation due to conditions in their homeland are not eligible for green cards if they entered the country illegally. Full Story
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![Migrants walk from a DHS tent facility in front of the McAllen bus station to Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center on April 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Las Vegas Sands went all in on legalizing casinos in Texas. Here's why the multimillion-dollar effort did not make it far this session.
The legislation — which required voter approval — would have brought a monumental expansion of gambling to Texas, which has some of the most restrictive gaming laws in the country. Full Story
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![Gamblers play slot machines during the reopening of The D hotel-casino, closed by the state since March 18, 2020, as part of steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
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Analysis: The 2021 Texas Senate, from left to right
Based on the votes they cast during the just-concluded regular session, the author ranks the members of the Texas Senate from most conservative to most liberal. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over the Senate chambers in Austin on May 30, 2021.]()
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Texas “critical race theory” bill limiting teaching of current events signed into law
Texas is one of a handful of states that have approved legislation that prescribes how teachers discuss current events and prohibits students from receiving credit for participating in civic activities. Full Story
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![Computer station at the library in Wheatley High School on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump to tour border wall with Gov. Greg Abbott on June 30
Abbott announced last Thursday that Texas would build its own border wall to stem the flow of migrants from Mexico. Full Story
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![Former President Donald Trump walks from his flight at Valley International Airport in Harlingen on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Is Texas headed toward another blackout? Did the Legislature fix the power grid? Here are answers to your questions about the grid.
The state’s grid operator indicated that conditions are improving and said that power outages to residents are unlikely. Full Story
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![Electrical power lines near the Sand Hill Energy Center in Del Valle on March 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
MacKenzie Scott donates more than $100 million to Texas universities and community colleges
That includes $40 million to the University of Texas at San Antonio, which the university plans to use to boost student enrollment, retention and graduation rates at the Hispanic-serving institution. Full Story
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![MacKenzie Scott and her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.]()
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Texas Democrats who blocked GOP voting bill make their pitch on Capitol Hill for federal legislation
After temporarily derailing a GOP priority voting bill, Texas Democrats looked to Washington this week to make the case for a federal legislation to overhaul elections and reinstate protections for voters of color. Full Story
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![Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi held a news conference with members of the Texas state legislature at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 15, 2021.]()
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After Austin shooting, advocates and Texas Democrats renew calls for action on gun violence
State Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat from El Paso, said a special legislative session already planned for later this year should also address gun violence. Full Story
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![Austin Police patrol the site of a recent mass shooting. At least 13 people were injured in a shooting on East Sixth Street near Trinity Street in Austin in the early hours of Jun 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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