The Brief: Is the Texas Legislature done yet?
Are we done yet? The last weekend of the first-called special legislative session by Gov. Greg Abbott is upon us, and things at the Capitol are shaping up to be busy. 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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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Paxton's "sanctuary cities" suit dismissed — but the fight's not over
A federal judge dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to dub the state's new "sanctuary cities" ban constitutional on Wednesday — but the legal battle isn't over yet. Full Story
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![A woman demonstrating against Senate Bill 4, the so-called sanctuary cities law, waves a flag during a march near the San Antonio Riverwalk on June 26, 2017. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is hearing arguments from Texas cities and counties challenging the bill, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: With the clock ticking, prospects are looking grimmer for Abbott's agenda
Gov. Greg Abbott tasked the Texas Legislature with passing 20 items in 30 days. State lawmakers have completed 22 of those days so far, at a cost of $736,000 and rising. The grounds of the Capitol have played host to hundreds of amendments, dozens of hours of debate and numerous rallies. And zero bills have made it to Abbott's desk. Full Story
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![The three leaders of Texas make nice at a short Cash Management Committee meeting in the Betty King Room of the Texas Capitol on July 18, 2017, the first day of the special session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Will Hurd's on a Texas town hall tour. Here's what's happened so far
Congress is out for the summer, and U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, is on a six-day, 20-stop swing across his sprawling swing district. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, speaks at his election watch party at the Hotel Elian in San Antonio on November 8, 2016.]()
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The Brief: Lawmakers are running out of time in the special session
The first 20 days of the special legislative session were quite a ride. Now the Legislature has 10 days left with 20 special session items to resolve and no bills on the governor's desk. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: School finance legislation up for debate in the Texas House this morning
As the curtains on day 13 of the special legislative session close at the Texas Capitol today, the House is readying to debate a handful of proposals this morning aimed at reforming the state's school finance system. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, announces that the Senate has agreed to a conference committee on House Bill 21, the school finance bill, on May 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas effort targeting union dues mirrors initiatives in other states
As Texas Republicans try again to pass a law barring certain public employees from using payroll deductions to pay their union or association dues, it is following the lead of several other states that have seen mixed results. Full Story
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![The headquarters of Texas AFL-CIO in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
Private school scholarships aren't popular in a Texas House committee
Amid a special session of the Texas Legislature, a bill aimed at supplementing private school tuition costs for children in the state wasn't that popular in one House committee. Full Story
![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
The Q&A: Amber Thompson
In this week’s Q&A, we interview Amber Thompson, who oversees the teacher preparation program at the University of Houston's College of Education. Full Story
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![Amber Thompson oversees the teacher preparation program at the University of Houston's College of Education.]()
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U.S. Justice Department prepares to target affirmative action in college admissions
President Donald Trump's Justice Department is making moves to potentially sue universities over admissions policies deemed to discriminate against white applicants. Full Story
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![The Tower at the University of Texas at Austin on June 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune