Latest Contributions

• Historically red Tarrant County diversified in the last decade. Now Republicans are trying to divide up its voters of color.

  By James Barragán Oct. 4, 2021

  Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said the maps were drawn “race-blind.” But Democratic Sen. Beverly Powell, whose district would be turned into a majority-Republican district, said they’re an attempt to deny voters of color their voice in elections. Full Story 

• How much Texas gets from multistate, $26 billion opioid settlement hinges on how many local governments sign on

  By James Barragán Updated: Sept. 29, 2021

  The state and its political subdivisions could get up to $1.5 billion from the settlement. But some local governments are considering pursuing their own lawsuits against drug makers and distributors. Full Story 

• Matthew Dowd, former George W. Bush strategist, to run as Democrat for Texas lieutenant governor

  By James Barragán Updated: Sept. 29, 2021

  Dowd said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has focused on “culture war” issues to divide and hurt Texans. Full Story 

• Texas reduces Black and Hispanic majority congressional districts in proposed map, despite people of color fueling population growth

  By James Barragán, Abby Livingston and Carla Astudillo Updated: Sept. 27, 2021

  The proposed congressional map also increases the number of districts where Trump would have had a majority of voters over Biden in 2020 and protects Republican incumbents who might have been vulnerable by packing their districts with more Trump voters. Full Story 

• Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick blast state bar investigation into Ken Paxton as “politically motivated”

  By James Barragán Sept. 24, 2021

  The Texas attorney general is being investigated for professional misconduct for his filing of a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential elections in battleground states. Fellow Republicans say the probe encroaches on Paxton’s executive branch authority. Full Story 

• Despite his victory in Texas and no credible evidence of widespread fraud, Donald Trump calls for election audit legislation

  By James Barragán Sept. 23, 2021

  There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud, and the Texas secretary of state who oversaw the 2020 election and was appointed by the Republican governor declared the election “smooth and secure.” Full Story 

• Texas appellate justices appear skeptical of Attorney General Ken Paxton defense that he’s exempt from state’s whistleblower law

  By James Barragán Sept. 22, 2021

  Paxton’s attorneys argued to a panel of Texas 3rd Court of Appeals justices on Wednesday that a lawsuit from former deputies should be thrown out. The ex-employees claim they were fired after reporting Paxton to law enforcement. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott adds property tax relief, bail to special session agenda

  By James Barragán Sept. 22, 2021

  Abbott has faced pressure from his right to prioritize property tax relief. One of his challengers in the Republican primary has slammed him for not including it earlier in the agenda, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it his top priority this session. Full Story 

• Texas Senate opens redistricting debate with proposed map one senator labels “intentional discrimination”

  By Rebekah Allen and James Barragán Sept. 18, 2021

  The first draft of the Senate map was authored by a Republican who chairs the Senate Redistricting Committee. It immediately drew fire from a Democratic member who said her district was being redrawn to dilute voting power of people of color. Full Story 

• Bill tripling Texas’ border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes law

  By James Barragán Sept. 17, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas was stepping up to do the federal government’s job after Biden’s immigration policies had “opened the floodgates” to illegal immigration and crime. Full Story