The Brief: Texas House's version of bathroom bill gains traction
The Texas Legislature is in its last month, and the Texas House's version of the "bathroom bill" is gaining traction. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/22/ShelbyKnowles-18_TT.jpg)
Bobby Blanchard
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/blanchard-bobby_TT.jpg)
Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.
Past Contributions
-
![Bathroom stall at the Austin Convention Center.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: The "sanctuary" bill is closer to Abbott's desk
After a marathon debate that went into the early hours of the morning on a bill that would ban “sanctuary” policies in Texas, the Texas House officially approved the measure along a party-line vote Thursday afternoon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/26/UP9A0014.jpg)
![Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, speaks to Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, at the back mic in the Texas House during the debate on a bill that would ban "sanctuary" policies in Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: While you slept, the Texas House tentatively passed a sanctuary cities ban
After more than 16 hours of emotional debate — which left some lawmakers in tears — the Texas House tentatively passed a controversial bill that would ban "sanctuary" policies in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/26/7C2A4505.jpg)
![State Rep. Veronica Neave, D-Dallas, gives an emotional speech as a picture of her father is held up during the debate on SB4 — the "sanctuary cities" bill — on April 26, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Battle lines drawn for "sanctuary" debate in Texas House
The Texas House is expected to take up a contentious bill Wednesday that would ban "sanctuary" policies across the state. Some lawmakers anticipate "trench warfare." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/15/_95I3503_undocumented.jpg)
![A coalition of immigrant rights groups protest SB 4 at the East steps of the Texas Capitol prior to a committee hearing on the sanctuary cities bill on March 15, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Beto O'Rourke explains exceptions on consultants
After U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke declared that his campaign would not hire consultants when he launched his U.S. Senate bid, a recently filed campaign finance report showed he used two consulting firms leading up to his campaign's kickoff. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/01/Beto_announce_IPA_TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced his bid to run for U.S. Senate while speaking to supporters in El Paso on March 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Will Congress avoid a shutdown?
After a two-week break in their home districts, Texas congressional delegation members are returning to Washington on Tuesday for a bustling week that could include another attempt to repeal Obamacare. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/10/_S3R1888CornynCruzCMS.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sits with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and wife Heidi Cruz at the Fort Hood Purple Heart ceremony on April 10, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Another redistricting ruling against Texas
A panel of federal judges ruled Thursday that lawmakers in 2011 intentionally diluted the political strength of minority voters in a number of House districts across Texas — a move that either violated the U.S. Constitution or the Voting Rights Act. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Here's what happened at the Texas Capitol while you slept
House Lawmakers debated some contentious legislation Wednesday, including measures on ride-hailing, bathrooms and school finance. Here's what you missed while you slept. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/19/__BDB0267_Huberty.jpg)
![State Rep. Dan Huberty, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, waits to lay out HB 21 school finance legislation in the Texas House on April 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Greg Abbott signaled support for a bathroom bill. Now what?
Things at the Texas Capitol are beginning to boil with six weeks left in the legislative session. Multiple proposals are bubbling inside the House today, which convenes at 10 a.m. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/07/__BDP4003_MosesTT.JPG)
![John Erler of Austin poses as Moses in the hallways of the Capitol Extension during public testimony on SB 6 the bathroom bill on March 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Who's in trouble in 2018?
With less than a year to go before 2018, several U.S. House seats from Texas are drawing interest from potential challengers. The 2018 landscape remains in flux but there are early indications of what it could look like. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/21/Gloomy_Capitol_AL_TT.jpg)
![The U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2017.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/62c3151bf44b1c406f95338fde798dfb/BD%20INC%20House%20redistricting%20Map%2002%202011)