The Brief: Senate committee advances bathroom bill
Texas lawmakers on the Senate State Affairs Committee passed the bathroom bill early Wednesday morning after more than 13 hours of public testimony. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/07/__BDP4003_MosesTT.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
-
![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 -
Texas House panel leaves bill requiring burial of fetal remains pending in committee
The Texas House Committee on State Affairs weighed a bill on Wednesday that would require the burial or cremation of fetal remain. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/06/Fetal_Protest_2_CR_TT.jpg)
![Alli Pierce joined protestors of the fetal remains burial rule outside of the Governor's Mansion on January 6, 2016 in freezing temperatures.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for THe Texas Tribune -
The Brief: How to watch live public testimony on the Texas bathroom bill
The so-called "bathroom bill" gets its first committee hearing today, after months of controversy surrounding the legislation. Here's how to watch it live. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/06/TransRally_2_BD_TT.jpg)
![Supporters turn out for Trans Texan Lobby Day 2017 at the state Capitol on March 6, 2017. It was a busy day with several events both opposing and supporting SB6, the so-called "bathroom bill."]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Texas bathroom battle heats up
Three separate press conferences focusing on the so-called "bathroom bill" will take place at the Texas Capitol on Monday, the day before the legislation gets its first hearing before a committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/07/_BDD6327_Patrick.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick looks around the Senate Chamber on Feb. 7, 2017 prior to bringing up SB 4 sanctuary city bill for debate.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: What will a border wall do to the environment?
What will a border wall do to the local environment? We investigate with Reveal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/02/TXT-BorderWall-Richmond053a.JPG)
![At dusk, Border Patrol agents place mobile floodlights along the levee-fence in Hidalgo County.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Lawmakers to file Sandra Bland Act
Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, will lay out the "Sandra Bland Act" at a noon press conference Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/17/TXTSandraBland1-Richmond001.jpg)
![Hempstead resident Adrienne Holland holds a sign outside of the Waller County Jail where Sandra Bland, 28, was found dead.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Watch the Texas Senate debate child welfare overhaul
Texas Senate lawmakers are debating legislation Wednesday that seeks to overhaul Texas' child welfare system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/09/12/ACS_jw_04.jpg)
![Children play on the outdoor playground.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Watch the Texas House debate child welfare overhaul
The Texas House is in the middle of an intense debate over a proposal that would bar undocumented Texans taking care of abused or neglected children in their families from receiving state funds that would be available to other families. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/20/Mercedes_Bristol_TT.jpg)
![Mercedes Bristol, 62, of San Antonio, at the Capitol with her five grandchildren after testifying to the House Human Services Committee on Feb. 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Marissa Evans -
The Brief: Texas Supreme Court will hear same-sex marriage case today
The Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today around 9 a.m. in a Houston case challenging the city's benefits policy for married same-sex couples. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/04/TxTrib-GayWedding_014.JPG)
![Couples embrace at the conclusion of the "Big Gay Wedding" ceremony on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol on July 4 after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in June.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa -
The Brief: Texas has an alarming maternal death rate. Now what?
Texas’ maternal mortality rates nearly doubled between 2010 and 2014 — but lawmakers have had few conversations around the issue since the legislative session began. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/21/capitol-dome.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa