The Brief: The 85th Texas legislative session ends with threats of violence
Accusations of racism, threats and violence shot through the lower chamber on a tense last day of the regular legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/29/SB4_Protest_MKC_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
-
![A large crowd turns out at Texas Capitol to protest Senate Bill 4, the "sanctuary cities" bill, on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislature just ended its session. Here's what to expect next.
How do special sessions work? When does the governor start vetoing bills? Is Texas headed to court? Now that Texas lawmakers have officially ended the 85th legislative session, you've got questions. We've got answers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa28c2f0111bc78fd16feab3e036e7a1/.__BDP0228_Sunset_TT.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol at sunset on May 23, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: It's the last day of the 85th Texas legislative session. Ready for a special session?
The threat of legislative overtime looms over lawmakers' heads, as the two chambers struggled to reach consensus on key bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/28/Senate_presser_Sunday_BD_TT.jpg)
![Surrounded by senators, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick talks to reporters on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers considered a lot of bills. Can you spot the real ones?
How close have you been paying attention during the 85th Texas Legislative session? Take this quiz to see how well you can distinguish between real bills and fake ones. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/22/Hunter_Calendars_House_LS_TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, right, chairman of the House Committee on Calendars, talks with Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin (seated, left) and Chris Paddie, R-Marshall (center) in a packed room on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Capitol.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: It's the Texas Legislature's last weekend — for this session
As the Texas Legislature heads into its final weekend before the regular session ends Monday, lots of parts at the Capitol are still churning. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/13/TT-HouseReps.jpg)
![Reps. Byron Cook, left and Todd Hunter, right, on the House floor of the Texas Capitol on April 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Bill that would overhaul school finance is declared dead
After Rep. Dan Huberty said he wouldn't accept the Senate's changes to House Bill 21, the lower chamber voted to seek a conference committee. Sen. Larry Taylor, chairman for the Senate Education Committee, was not on board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/04/19/__BDB1080__Huberty_crowdX.jpg)
![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, after his bill overhauling Texas' school finance system was approved on second reading on April 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Texas House tentatively passes child welfare reform
After a lengthy debate, a package of sweeping measures aimed at addressing the state's child welfare system crisis passed the Texas House on Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/21/child-foster.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: iStock.com -
The Brief: One of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's must pass bills is up in the House today
The House will take up a property tax bill today that could push the 85th legislative session into overtime if it doesn't pass. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9993.jpg)
![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: What Texans in Congress are saying about latest Trump reports
A series of political revelations about President Donald Trump and recently ousted FBI Director James Comey faced lawmakers as they returned to the U.S. Capitol. Here's what some members of the Texas delegation have said so far. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/11/Comey_Trump.jpg)
![Former FBI Director James Comey (l.) was fired by President Trump on May 9, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles: James Comey/Bob Daemmrich: Donald Trump -
The Brief: Three issues to watch today as key deadlines loom
Lawmakers in the House have one week to tentatively pass Senate Bills out of the lower chamber. Time is running out for the 85th Texas legislative session. There are a few key issues we're watching today — here's what to look out for. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/11/__BDD7502_Capitol.jpg)
![A handful of tourists hang around outside the Texas Capitol on May 11, 2017 as the House faces a midnight deadline that will ultimately end in the death of scores of bills in the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune