Past Contributions

• With feelings raw over voting bill's demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now

  By Cassandra Pollock and Shawn Mulcahy Updated: May 31, 2021

  Members celebrated the end of the session, but also acknowledged that they’ll be back sometime soon for at least one special session. Full Story 

• Effort to curb governor’s pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature

  By Cassandra Pollock May 30, 2021

  The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.” Full Story 

• Leadership tensions, potential special session loom as Texas legislative session hits uncertain end

  By Patrick Svitek and Cassandra Pollock May 27, 2021

  Tensions between the two chambers are peaking, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is putting pressure on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session for unfinished business on conservative priorities Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers send $248 billion two-year budget to Gov. Greg Abbott

  By Cassandra Pollock Updated: May 27, 2021

  Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story 

• A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment

  By Cassandra Pollock May 26, 2021

  HillCo lobbyist Rick Dennis did not slip GHB into the drinks of two legislative staffers, an investigation found. But a history of complaints against him for inappropriate behavior raises questions about how seriously the Legislature takes misconduct. Full Story 

• Texas governor’s emergency powers during pandemics would be curbed under bill advanced in House

  By Cassandra Pollock Updated: May 11, 2021

  The wide-ranging legislation would affirm the governor’s ability to suspend state laws during a pandemic and allow for overriding local orders issued by county judges or mayors if they’re inconsistent with state orders. Full Story 

• State Rep. John Raney tests positive for coronavirus after being inside Capitol this week

  By Cassandra Pollock May 6, 2021

  Raney, who has been fully vaccinated since February, "went home immediately and, as of this evening, is doing well," his office said in a statement. The CDC says a "small percentage" of people who have been vaccinated can still contract COVID-19. Full Story 

• Authorities say they won't seek charges after investigating allegation that a lobbyist drugged a Texas Capitol staffer

  By Cassandra Pollock Updated: April 29, 2021

  The Texas Department of Public Safety and Travis County District Attorney’s Office said in a joint statement that they thoroughly investigated the allegation. "No crime occurred in this instance," the two agencies said. Full Story 

• Allegation of sexual misconduct by lobbyist leads to another round of calls for reform in Texas Capitol

  By Cassandra Pollock, Jolie McCullough and Shawn Mulcahy Updated: April 26, 2021

  The speaker said Monday he was directing a House committee to establish an email hotline for staffers to submit reports or complaints of harassment in the workplace. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers, lobby firm react to allegations that a lobbyist gave date rape drug to Capitol aide

  By Cassandra Pollock April 25, 2021

  State lawmakers, staffers and other Capitol observers have denounced the alleged incident, with several House members declaring on social media that they were banning from their offices any lobbyist or lobby firm associated with the accusation. Full Story