“If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month. Full Story
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![A state trooper stand guard outside of the door to the House chamber on opening day of the legislative session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick asks Texas to revise coronavirus vaccine distribution plan as eligible people experience frustration trying to locate a dose
The lieutenant governor's request comes as distribution of the vaccine in Texas has been beset with miscommunication and technical issues that have created confusion for patients and providers, even as Texas outpaces other states in administering the vaccine. Full Story
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![Long lines of people wait to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park, where Dallas County opened its first "mega" vaccination site. Jan. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans are angry at big tech’s reaction to U.S. Capitol siege. But few mention the GOP’s role in sowing election misinformation.
The state’s GOP leaders have launched a campaign against technology and social media companies after officials and followers faced repercussions for sowing the election doubts that fueled the Capitol insurrection. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the Gun Owners of America assembly in 2018.]()
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Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning.
The president is leaving office Wednesday, but signs suggest his influence on the Texas GOP remains strong. Full Story
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![Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in The Woodlands in June 17, 2016.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick awards committee chair to Texas senator who previously faced sexual harassment allegation
State Sen. Charles Schwertner gave up serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services in 2019. This year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named him chair of the Committee on Administration. Full Story
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![A committee hearing room featuring plexiglass dividers on Jan 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimony
The rules, which passed unanimously Thursday, will help govern the House during the Legislature’s 2021 session. Full Story
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![Legislators greet each other on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to the opening of the 2021 Legislative Session.]()
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Texas Senate changes rules so Republicans can still bring bills to floor without Democratic support
The resolution passed on a party-line vote. Full Story
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![The gallery is mostly empty due to social distancing as the Senate meets at the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underway
Phelan’s election to the gavel was one of the House’s first order of business Tuesday, when the Legislature kicked off the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.
Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story
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![House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The Texans objecting to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory
In this edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Abby, Ross and Cassi about Electoral College drama at the U.S. Capitol — and a new session about to start at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![U.S. President-elect Joe Biden during a briefing where he delivered remarks on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 outbreak, at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 29, 2020.]()
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Dan Patrick says senators will be tested for coronavirus, seating will be limited for opening day of the Texas Senate
An announcement of protocols for the Jan. 12 event did not mention masks. Full Story
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![The state Senate floor in Austin on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Despite committee’s recommendation, ending Texas’ partisan judicial elections looks unlikely
Several Texas lawmakers said they would not vote to end the system of partisan judicial elections, which critics say allows for the appearance of impropriety if not bias itself. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump pardons former Border Patrol agent Gary Brugman, who was convicted of violating a man’s civil rights
Brugman’s case drew national attention among conservative figures who hailed him for working to secure the U.S. border. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Nevada in September.]()
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Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story
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![Texas Capitol House of Representatives on May 24, 2013.]()
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$1.7M for George Strait, six-figure bonuses: Months later, a lawsuit forced Texas to release details on inaugural spending
For months, Gov. Greg Abbott and the 2019 Texas Inaugural Committee fought to avoid disclosing how they spent a record-setting $5.3 million. The Texas Tribune sued and obtained the documents in an out-of-court settlement. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses attendees at the Oath of Office Ceremony on the state Capitol grounds on Jan. 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Masks required, COVID-19 tests encouraged for opening day in the Texas House next month
The House will limit attendance for what is typically a crowded day at the Capitol when family and friends attend the opening ceremonies. Full Story
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![The Texas State Capitol on May 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues to undo the presidential election results
In this week's episode, Matthew talks to Emma, Cassi and Mitchell about Texas' lawsuit against swing states that went for Joe Biden, the upcoming legislative session and the future of gambling in Texas. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton walked across the Supreme Court plaza to hold a press conference in 2016.]()
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Dan Patrick wants to change Senate rules so GOP keeps a key advantage, despite losing its supermajority
The lieutenant governor said Wednesday he wants the Senate to decrease the threshold required to bring legislation to the floor to 18 members, which would allow the GOP to continue sidelining Democrats. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reminds senators to keep their testimonies short during a discussion on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1663 relating to the removal, relocation or alteration of certain monuments or memorials, on the Senate floor on May 7, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick says people may need to take a coronavirus test 24 hours before testifying during the legislative session
Patrick and Republican state Rep. Dade Phelan, the likely next House speaker, “hope to be able to make an announcement regarding the Session shortly," a senior adviser to Patrick said Saturday. Full Story
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![Wide view of the Senate gallery as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster of SB 5 a bill that would tighten regulations on abortion providers in Texas, on the last day of the special session, June 25, 2013.]()
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On Election Day, Republicans lost a critical advantage in the state Senate. Will Dan Patrick push to change the rules?
In January, the lieutenant governor suggested he could push to further lower the threshold required to bring bills to the floor if the GOP lost its supermajority. Now that that has happened, it remains to be seen whether Patrick will follow through. Full Story
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![Senate floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune