Past Contributions

• The Brief: What happened to rogue delegate legislation this session?

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 9, 2017

  Last November, after two Texas electors went rogue by voting for someone other than the Republican nominee, support for proposals to bind Texas Electoral College members to voting for the state's popular vote emerged. What happened? Full Story 

• The Brief: Another state voting law, another legal challenge

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 8, 2017

  Texas voting law requires language interpreters helping someone at the ballot box to also be a registered voter in the same county. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is taking up a legal challenge this morning over it. Full Story 

• The Brief: Prepare for a blockbuster special session

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 7, 2017

  It is happening — a special legislative session, that is. Gov. Greg Abbott, ended the speculation Tuesday when he announced he was calling the Texas Legislature back for a special session starting July 18. Full Story 

• 20 things Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to address in a special session

  By Bobby Blanchard June 6, 2017

  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he's calling lawmakers back for a special legislative session starting July 18. Here's what he's committed to adding to the call. Full Story 

• The Brief: Is a special legislative session around the corner? We may find out today.

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 6, 2017

  As speculation over a potential special legislative session has mounted this past week, Gov. Greg Abbott may be calling one later today. The governor is holding a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol. Full Story 

• Watch: Amid speculation over special session, Greg Abbott hosts press conference

  By Bobby Blanchard June 6, 2017

  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is hosting a press conference at 2:30 p.m. The topic? He hasn't said yet — but we're betting it's an announcement on a special legislative session. Full Story 

• The Brief: We asked for hurricane vulnerability documents. 18 months later, this is what arrived.

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 5, 2017

  Nearly two years after The Texas Tribune and ProPublica first started trying to understand how a massive hurricane could affect the city of Houston, a lot of uncertainty remains. Full Story 

• The Brief: "Sanctuary" law fight heats up

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard June 2, 2017

  The cities of San Antonio and Austin announced Thursday they were joining the fight to stop Senate Bill 4, the state's new law banning "sanctuary cities," in federal court. Full Story 

• The Brief: The Legislature went after ethics reform this session. Did they do enough?

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard June 1, 2017

  Lawmakers passed broad reforms this year that would increase transparency and conduct among their own ranks. But watchdog groups say they didn't go far enough. Full Story 

• The Brief: Abbott to sign emergency child welfare bills

  By Cassandra Pollock and Bobby Blanchard May 31, 2017

  A couple days after the Texas Legislature gaveled out of its regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign a handful of legislation aimed at overhauling the state's embattled child welfare system. Full Story