The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.
Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock
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Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Past Contributions
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![House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democrats ask Gov. Greg Abbott to overhaul COVID-19 vaccine distribution process
“The dearth of reliable public information leads to skepticism over the government’s ability to look out for the public health,” state Rep. Vikki Goodwin wrote in the letter, which 37 other House Democrats signed. Full Story
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![Eager valley residents look amongst the rows of cars lined up at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds in Mercedes. Area residents lined up overnight to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Jan 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Texas closes its Capitol building following chaos in Washington, D.C.
“The Capitol and Capitol Complex are closed to the public effective immediately,” said Freeman Martin, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s deputy director of homeland security. Full Story
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![Trump supporters rally at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Capitol and surrounding grounds have closed after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Presumptive Speaker Dade Phelan says House will take session "a day at a time" as lawmakers balance agenda with pandemic
Phelan spoke with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith in a virtual interview on the day before the legislative session is set to begin. Full Story
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Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story
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![Texas Capitol House of Representatives on May 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
Texas unemployment rate rises to 8.1% in November
The latest unemployment rate will be a crucial data point for the Texas Legislature, which will convene in January. Full Story
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![Hundreds of cars line up in the parking lot of Lehman High School in Kyle to receive food from the Central Texas Food Bank.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Masks required, COVID-19 tests encouraged for opening day in the Texas House next month
The House will limit attendance for what is typically a crowded day at the Capitol when family and friends attend the opening ceremonies. Full Story
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![The Texas State Capitol on May 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Three indicted in Harris County on allegations of trying to illegally influence state House races
The indictments announced Friday were tied to races in Texas House Districts 132 and 142. Full Story
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![Jolie McCullough, reporter for The Texas Tribune, moderated the “Criminal Justice Reform We Can All Agree On” panel featuring Mark Gonzalez, Marc Levin, Joe Moody, Kim Ogg and Vikrant Reddy at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.]()
Credit: Kelly West for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick says people may need to take a coronavirus test 24 hours before testifying during the legislative session
Patrick and Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan, the likely next House speaker, “hope to be able to make an announcement regarding the Session shortly," a senior adviser to Patrick said Saturday. Full Story
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![Wide view of the Senate gallery as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster of SB 5 a bill that would tighten regulations on abortion providers in Texas, on the last day of the special session, June 25, 2013.]()
Credit: Daemmrich Photo, Inc. -
Key Texas House leader says Capitol occupancy may be limited in upcoming legislative session
The Legislature is set to convene in January. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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