The Brief: The "bathroom bill" is on its way to the Texas House
For the second time this year, the Texas Senate passed a version of the "bathroom bill," a measure regulating which restrooms transgender people can use. 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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![Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, is congratulated by Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, after the passage to engrossment of the "bathroom bill" during a long session in the state Senate, on July 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes bill targeting public employee union dues
The Texas Senate has passed legislation that would end the state's practice of collecting membership dues for certain public employees who are members of labor unions and associations. Full Story
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![State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, gives his views on mandatory pre-kindergarden education while wrapping up a Texas Tribune event at the Austin Club May 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Texas Senate moving fast on Abbott's special session agenda
The Texas Senate on Monday approved six bills related to Gov. Greg Abbott's 20-item special session agenda — and they're expected to consider another chunk of legislation today. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gaveled out the Senate at 1:24 a.m. on July 20 after the upper chamber approved crucial sunset legislation to keep several state agencies alive.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: The Texas Senate had a whirlwind special session weekend.
With the first week of the special legislative session in the rearview mirror, the speedy Senate shows no signs of slowing down. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 12, 2017.]()
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The Brief: How to watch today's bathroom bill proceedings
Say hello to the "bathroom bill" for the third time this year. A Senate committee will hold a hearing on the controversial legislation this morning. Full Story
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![State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, lays out Senate Bill 6, the so-called "bathroom bill," at a State Affairs Committee hearing on March 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Abbott expands special session agenda after Senate speeds through sunset legislation
By the time you read this, critical legislation keeping several key state agencies alive is out of the Texas Senate and on its way to the House — and Gov. Greg Abbott has officially green-lighted the Legislature to begin working on the other 19 items he wants passed during the special session. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confers with a group of senators during the special session on July 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: First day down, #txlege — and there could be 29 more to go
Good news: We survived the first day of the special legislative session. Bad news: There could be 29 more days to go. And if Monday was any indication, the next few weeks could be a bumpy ride. Full Story
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![The three leaders of Texas appear jovial at a short meeting of the Cash Management Committee on July 18, 2017, as they face a potentially contentious 30-day special session of the 85th Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: The #txlege is back for its special session
And they're back: State lawmakers return to the Capitol today to tackle business left unfinished during a divisive legislative session that ended in May. But a seven-week break doesn't appear to have mended their ill will. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Office of the Governor -
The Q&A: Joy Schmitz
In this week’s Q&A, we interview Joy Schmitz, director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction and the Louis A. Faillace Professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. Full Story
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![Dr. Joy Schmitz, Ph.D, is the director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction and the Louis A. Faillace, M.D., Professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.]()
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The Brief: Your weekend recap — Abbott's re-election bid and Texas' redistricting trial
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced his re-election bid Friday, and a trial over the state's political maps reached its tail-end Saturday. Catch up on what you missed over the weekend and dive into a couple of must-read Tribune stories this Monday morning. Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott announces he's running for reelection in San Antonio on July 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune