The latest Texas House of Representatives news from The Texas Tribune.
Berry, who will face Ellen Troxclair in the runoff, was one of 19 Austin officers accused of using excessive force on people demonstrating against police brutality in 2020. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36f8c2e62b8d8e98f0cec6cd67f1c579/Berry%20and%20Troxclair%20FB%20TT.jpg)
The primaries are also the first major electoral test for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who took over the gavel more than a year ago. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4877efb1e73193a6a450fd2566c27a5f/Republican%20Caucus%20Presser%20Dems%20Quorum%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
Justin Berry is among 19 Austin law enforcement officers indicted and accused of using excessive force on anti-police brutality protesters in 2020. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/95a97001b2caf9b12466a3c8d9b81ab5/Justin%20Berry%20APD%20JV%20TT.jpg)
The Austin police officer is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Texas House District 19, west of Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6748c30c4c8e54ff2bff2e6554204aa9/Justin%20Berry%20FB%20TT.jpg)
The Texans for Better Democrats Coalition is throwing its support behind Candis Houston, who is running against state Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston, and Rep. Claudia Ordaz Perez, who faces fellow El Pasoan Rep. Art Fierro. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c596c296045e6eb3fa1dc033c34c6165/Harold%20Dutton%20and%20Art%20Fierro%20Split%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0c21ab979c3ecfacbcbca3a6b420ee03/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
Luther became nationally known at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 when she refused to shut down her Dallas salon in defiance of emergency orders. She was sentenced to a week in jail but was released after only a few days. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e4efc514469eebaf146e66837408432/Laredo%20Shelley%20Luther%20Rally%20JR%2002.jpg)
Every statewide office, legislative seat and U.S. House district will be on the ballot next year when the state’s new political maps are expected to be used. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23537e8890474e6e478ce70b8e89007e/ATX%20Early%20Voting%20Day%20Two%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
Critics of the Chapter 313 corporate tax incentive program say it lacks accountability and is burdensome to taxpayers in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8f04f3a90766e98c15d7d780ebd84648/Abbott%20Cornyn%20Samsung%20SF%20TT%2008.jpg)
Texas’ population has grown 40% this century, and 91% of the new Texans are people of color. Federal judges now have to decide whether those monumental changes are reflected in the state’s political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea11e454d35aff97551b04745afac028/2nd%20Redo%20Redistricting%20maps%20MGO%20TT%2005.jpg)
It remains unclear whether Gov. Greg Abbott — the only official with the power to convene special sessions — will order state lawmakers back to Austin, or what issues he would include on the agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74deeb6a880bdec2fe4374f3cf928fdd/Special%20Session%20Opening%20Day%20SPTT%20%2098.jpg)
A new state law requires the secretary of state's office to audit results in four randomly selected counties every two years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b1520e5eae2c737c11d3110ecf5fc39/Early%20Voting%20Day%201%20Dallas%20MM%20TT%2025.jpg)
At least three other Democrats and four Republicans are vying for the office that GOP incumbent George P. Bush is leaving to run for attorney general. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1fe5059be27c8c3469b40e478cfa7a82/Jay%20Kleberg%20FB%20TT.jpg)
Lucio is retiring from the Rio Grande Valley seat, and Dominguez wants to continue his legacy of focusing on education in the region. But he suggested he would take a different approach to at least a couple issues, including abortion. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e4cb53405aed12fc1d83a4b2c4ec6ab0/House%20Natural%20Resources%20Committee%20EW%20TT%2017.jpg)
It’s unclear why the governor tasked the state's education agency, which does not employ law enforcement officers, to perform the investigation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d8a91ab51707380f9d75e21baf737b8/Library%20File%20JV%20TT%2006.jpg)
State Reps. Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez talked about everything from redistricting to “critical race theory” with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7dfc506740af40698721722b4c3afa6/TTE-Austin-87thSession-leadart-v3.png)
The October poll found that the percentage of Democrats who said voting rules should be less strict increased significantly, with 64% of voters taking that position compared to the 51% in August. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/97c249c373edb56ffe5afadcf345d84a/UT-TT%20Voting%20TT.jpg)
Republicans saw flipping the seat as a way to make headway into South Texas, where Democrat Joe Biden underperformed last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1eb6fc2cbded7fd5e6304cfb437a1837/Lujan%20Election%20Night%20MGO%20TT%2003.jpg)
Texas voters will decide on eight proposed changes to the state’s Constitution. Voters in the San Antonio area will pick a new Texas House member. And Austin voters will decide whether to require more police officers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a4c2f35e32f8cdcebdff6c5d606b17d6/San%20Antonio%20Election%202020%20CD%20TT%2012.jpg)
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez announced last week he’ll seek reelection in a new seat, leaving his 15th Congressional District open for the 2022 election. Candidate filing begins Nov. 13. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e718f655a8cb5d4f5f54fe470992947/McAllen%20File%20JG%20TT%2004.jpg)