Mexico files diplomatic complaint over Gov. Greg Abbott’s floating border barriers
The Mexican government plans to send an inspection team to see if Texas’ buoys have crossed into Mexico’s side of the border. Full Story
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![An unfinished strand of orange buoys, meant to deter migrants from crossing the river, sits in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass on July 11, 2023.]()
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TribCast: Texas lawmakers approve property tax cuts after 7 months of trying
In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill. Full Story
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![A home in East Austin in 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Property tax special session is over, but months of acrimony could complicate Texas lawmakers’ mission as more work awaits
Efforts to repair rifts, particularly among Republican leaders, begin as another contentious special session looms on Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for “school choice.” Full Story
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![Speaker of the House Dade Phelan gavels the House into session on the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Long-awaited $18 billion property tax-cut deal heads to Gov. Greg Abbott
House Democrats attempted to insert benefits for renters and more money for public education into the tax-cuts package in a series of floor amendments but were unsuccessful. Full Story
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![An Aerial image of a suburban neighborhood in San Marcos on October 18, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott raised $15 million in 12-day window after regular legislative session
The governor, whose term ends in 2026, closed June with $23 million in his campaign fund. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott answers questions from the press after signing eight bills during a public safety bill signing session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 6, 2023.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott taps longtime aide Angela Colmenero as interim attorney general
Governor’s deputy chief of staff replaces John Scott as agency leader while suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton awaits his September impeachment trial. Full Story
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![Angela Colmenero has been named by Gov. Greg Abbott interim attorney general for the state of Texas. She replaces John Scott, who served as first interim attorney general after Ken Paxton was suspended pending his Senate impeachment trial.]()
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Texas Supreme Court says Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID ban on local mask rules was lawful
Several of Texas’ largest cities sought to put in place mask requirements, which Gov. Greg Abbott overturned. The ruling is a legal win for Republicans in Austin their ongoing symbolic fight with cities, often run by Democrats. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Travis Scott won’t be indicted for Astroworld concert tragedy that killed 10, grand jury decides
A Houston grand jury decided Thursday not to indict rap star Travis Scott for the deaths of 10 people at the 2021 Astroworld Festival when fans collapsed in a massive crowd. Full Story
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![A makeshift memorial for the concertgoers who died in a stampede during a Travis Scott performance at the 2021 Astroworld Festival, in Houston, on Nov. 9, 2021.]()
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With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposals
A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday. Full Story
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![Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
A property tax deal has eluded Texas lawmakers. Here’s where things stand at the start of another special session.
Top Republicans promised property tax cuts, but have been locked in standoffs on how to achieve it. Gov. Greg Abbott has called another overtime legislative session in hopes of solidifying a plan. Full Story
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![A house in the Windsor Park neighborhood of East Austin on Nov. 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
First special session ends with no new laws, Texas lawmakers still deadlocked on property taxes
Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to the Capitol for round two, hoping to break an impasse that has outlasted the regular session and one overtime period. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6, 2023 in Austin.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M University System starts “ethics and compliance review” of DEI efforts ahead of ban
According to a June 13 letter, all Texas A&M universities must provide details on a wide range of programs, trainings and presentations that touch on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus, including faculty organizations and mission statements. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University in College Station.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Twenty years after a breakthrough Texas case launched a new era of gay rights, trans people are still in the fight
The U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for major civil rights victories for queer Americans in the 2003 decision that decriminalized homosexuality. But progress for LGBTQ+ people has been uneven. Full Story
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![People stand with signs and flags as they celebrate the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Lawrence vs. Texas case outside City Hall in Houston on June 26, 2003.]()
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2023 Texas inauguration raised $4.7 million from donors
The two largest contributions, $250,000 each, came from the hospitality and energy industries for the event that kicked off the third terms for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives his Inaugural address after taking the Oath of Office at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 17, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualify
A new state law increases what SNAP applicants’ vehicles can be worth before they’re disqualified for federal food assistance. But most states don’t take car values into consideration at all. Full Story
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![Mercedes Bristol, 68, Executive Director of Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, left, and her youngest grandson, Paul Chavez, 12, right, hold each other in their front yard in San Antonio on June 16, 2023. Bristol is the primary caretaker of her five grandchildren, including Chavez, who is the youngest. Bristol has taken care of Chavez since he was five years old. “Paul has attachment disorder, he’s really scared not to have anybody,” Bristol said. “He didn’t see his mother for 10 years until last year when I knew her addiction had gotten better… be doesn’t know anybody but me that’s been there.” Due to the value of her Bristol’s car being too high, even after a recent improvement in House Bill 1287, Bristol and her family are not eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits including food stamps starting Sept. 1. “We’re called the invisible foster care, the hidden foster care, nobody knows about this group of people that are raising grandchildren,” Bristol said. “If we die out, it’s just a moment, but if we stay persistent, we’ll see real change,” Bristol said.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mail
The bipartisan legislation was long sought by advocates for disabled voters, including some of the governor’s own allies. Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives a speech in the Senate chamber of the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the 2023 Legislature.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Alamo redevelopment gets $400 million boost from Texas Legislature
Plans aim to preserve the San Antonio site’s historic structures and paint a full picture of its history. An estimated 2.5 million people visit the Alamo each year, making it one of the state’s top destinations. Full Story
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![An Alamo Ranger guards the Alamo on the evening of Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators include more property tax cuts for businesses in new pitch to break impasse with House
The Senate’s latest proposal is an apparent effort to appease Gov. Greg Abbott and the lower chamber. The state’s top Republicans have been at odds for months over how to use the state’s historic budget surplus to cut property taxes. Full Story
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![A home in a Houston neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2022.]()
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Some conservatives’ long-term goal in property tax fight: get rid of school taxes altogether
Gov. Greg Abbott has thrown his weight behind the idea being pushed by an influential conservative think tank. Many school leaders are worried. Full Story
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![A neighborhood in Austin, in 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Why can’t Texas Republicans get along?
In this week’s episode we check in with radio host Mark Davis and politics reporter Patrick Svitek about the GOP intraparty fighting over property taxes and Ken Paxton’s impeachment. Full Story
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![Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Capitol on June 16, 2021 to provide more details on his plan for Texas to build its own border wall.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune