Some Texans dodge bullet train, others are square in its path
Federal officials identified the likely route a planned Dallas-Houston bullet train will take through rural counties as it connects the state's two largest urban areas. Full Story
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Brandon Formby
Managing Editor for News and State Affairs
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Brandon Formby works with The Texas Tribune’s beat editors and reporters to bring Texans the news, analysis and explanatory journalism they need to put pressing issues into perspective. Previously, as an editor on the news desk, he helped steer coverage of legislative sessions, natural disasters, prolonged power outages, mass shootings and the coronavirus pandemic. As a reporter, he covered urban affairs. Before joining the Tribune in 2016, he reported on transportation, politics and local government for The Dallas Morning News. Brandon grew up in Plano and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He is based in Austin.
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![Central Texas Partners released this map showing the likely route of a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.]()
Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
How much damage did Harvey do to Texas homes? There may never be an exact answer.
As state officials vie for limited federal disaster dollars, housing advocates fear Texans with destroyed homes may fall through a patchwork of government agencies. Full Story
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![Water remains on a street below the Barker Reservoir dam in Houston on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Amid blowback over accounting maneuver, TxDOT drops financing idea for several toll projects
Late Thursday, transportation officials released a statement saying they were dropping several toll projects from long-term plans due to public response. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick before hitting the gavel to begin a Senate session Aug. 15, 2017, the day before the end of a first called special session of the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
TxDOT eyeing accounting trick to get around toll road prohibition
A state lawmaker has asked the attorney general to weigh in on whether the state's transportation agency can use voter-approved funds to rebuild or expand highways that will also include toll lanes alongside them. Full Story
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![Interstate 45 Gulf Freeway's HOV and Toll lanes exit into Metro's Eastowood Transit Center in Houston Friday, October 19, 2012.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Coastal officials say feds failing Harvey victims on short-term housing
Officials from battered towns and counties — including one who said he's had suicidal thoughts — told lawmakers that too many residents are sleeping in tents and hotels more than two months after Hurricane Harvey. Full Story
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![Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery that he's had suicidal thoughts as he tries to lead his city through its recovery from Hurricane Harvey.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal for the Texas Tribune -
$500 million in Ike relief is still unspent. Will Texas do better after Harvey?
State officials want as few parameters as possible on federal disaster relief funds, but housing advocates say that could lead to public works projects getting federal funds over Texans who lost everything. Full Story
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![U.S. Air Force member conducted search and rescue operations on Galveston Island after Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008.]()
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Harvey's next blow: Home values, tax collections expected to drop
Some — but not all — southeast Texans could see property tax breaks after the hurricane damaged their homes. The inequity has reignited intra-GOP tensions from earlier this year over disaster-related property tax re-assessments. Full Story
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![Hurricane Harvey struck Rockport, Texas, on Aug. 25, 2017, causing widespread flooding and property damage.]()
Credit: Brandon Formby/The Texas Tribune -
Texans shouldn't expect enough federal money to fully rebuild after Harvey
State officials estimate that it will take $60 billion in long-term federal funds to repair and replace the houses, buildings and infrastructure Harvey damaged. Full Story
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![Clarke Godkin bought an RV to use at his hunting lease about two years ago. Now it’s become his semi-permanent home while he attempts to make repairs to his flood damaged house in Rose City. Here he is trying to connect the trailer to electricity. "I feel blessed, even though we’ve lost everything. We’ve been here 20 years, and lost everything. But some folks, they’ve lost everything and have nowhere to go.”]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Federal Harvey relief funds might take years, officials tell legislators
It could be months, if not years, before southeast Texans receive federal funds to pay for the long-term rebuilding and recovery of homes and communities battered by Hurricane Harvey’s epic rains, officials told legislators Monday. Full Story
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![Flood damaged debris piled outside of homes in Port Arthur Texas. The city saw 47 inches of rain during the storm.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
City, state officials spar over funding Harvey recovery efforts at Houston meeting
While several Texas officials have thrown support behind some expensive flood control projects, a Houston City Council meeting Monday highlighted the political and financial hurdles that may await such efforts. Full Story
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![Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner listens to State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, during a Sept. 25, 2017 public hearing on a proposed property tax rate increase that aims to cover city costs for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.]()
Credit: Brandon Formby