Texas Gov. Greg Abbott could be upsetting balance of powers with threat to veto Texas Legislature’s pay
A governor targeting the Legislature’s budget would be unprecedented in Texas history. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/70790230744dce8536b16b1aa19ed167/House%20File%20May%2028%20EL%20TT%2012)
-
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ GOP leadership already at odds over plans for special legislative session
Since House Democrats staged a walkout that killed Republicans’ priority elections bill for the regular session, the governor and the leaders of the state House and Senate have diverged notably in interviews about how they are approaching the overtime round. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc189c9101d387ca5b8fe4bc7dd8209d/Texas%20For%20All%20Vigil%20MM%20TT%2003.jpg)
![The sun sets on the state Capitol in Austin, on May 27, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announces run for attorney general against Ken Paxton
Bush made his challenge official Wednesday evening during an event at a downtown Austin bar. Former President Donald Trump said last week that he would issue an endorsement in the race "in the not-so-distant future." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/65600c88df8ce56ef99ac8f704829bd3/George%20P%20Bush%20Announces%20SF%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announces his candidacy for Attorney General at an event in Austin on June 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Democrats defeat the Texas voting bill — for now
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James, Patrick and Alexa about the wild end to the legislative session and the future of proposed voting restrictions in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b60e78abc89b88f05ffb5afaa4bb79df/TribCast-%20Dems%20Break%20Corum%20June%202.jpg)
![State Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Austin after Democrats broke quorum in opposition to Senate Bill 7, a sweeping GOP voting bill. May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Regulating dangerous practices in the Texas Legislature
Lawmakers consider some things so safe that regulations can be loosened, while other matters get a tighter regulatory scheme. Consider guns and voting. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28973176e5a7edb9a4e1b01e77da368e/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with lawmakers on the house floor during the legislative session on Sunday, May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump endorses Gov. Greg Abbott for reelection
The endorsement comes as Abbott faces a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas and as other fellow Republicans eye the race. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ce2e3e727febb94d8adb369c7a295958/Abbott%20Trump%20Orange%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott greeted then-President Donald Trump upon arrival at the Orange County Airport Landing Zone to visit areas damaged by Hurricane Laura in Orange on Aug. 29, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Tom Brenner -
Gov. Greg Abbott signs slate of legislation to increase criminal penalties for protesters, punish cities that reduce police budgets
The bills are in response to widespread protests and calls to “defund the police” last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b2c3dae2dc49b1f0d7e66770e6cfd486/APD%20File%20March%2022%20EL%20TT%2003.jpg)
![The Austin Police Department building with the Austin skyline in the background on March 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
House Speaker Dade Phelan says Gov. Greg Abbott could hurt staffers and legislative agencies if he tries to block lawmaker salaries
Abbott’s vow came after a Democratic walkout in the House late Sunday night blocked passage of Senate Bill 7, his priority elections bill that would overhaul voting rights in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/452eac0fdc274de9561b3f86fbc12446/House%20Floor%20SB7%20May%2030%20MG%20TT%2020.jpg)
![House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with legislators on the House floor on May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With feelings raw over voting bill's demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/34171bcebfcb955d223228b772e4fa77/Sine%20Die%20May%2031%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![House members praised House Speaker Dade Phelan on Sine Die. May 31, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vows to defund state Legislature after voting restrictions bill fails, threatening salaries
“No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,” Abbott tweeted Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aad3145faabab2c0a3c0cb88c22e0180/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with lawmakers on the House floor during the legislative session on Sunday, May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: An end to a weird legislative session, and the beginning of an uncertain political cycle
A session transformed by COVID-19 protocols is giving way to a political cycle already disrupted by the pandemic’s effects on state government. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/512e85d3d808a8e0f88c20fa5490bea4/House%20Floor%20Bell%20JV%20TT%2016.jpg)
![State Rep. Keith Bell, R-Forney, on the house floor on March 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats’ defeat of Texas voting bill adds an asterisk to Republicans’ “most conservative” legislative session
Republicans were assigning blame after the measure’s dramatic failure Sunday night, but were also already looking ahead to a special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/202ef32abd30fe9324d105d9e903541b/House%20Floor%20Abortion%20Bill%20%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
![The House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Effort to curb governor’s pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d6d135a3c4a7f52dcd66c6f971966cc/Odessa%20COVID%20File%20BP%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A handful of cars drive down Grant Avenue Thursday evening as an advertisement from Medical Center Hospital urges community members to stay home in Odessa on April 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
Without child care, Texas’ unemployed mothers are struggling to reenter the workforce as federal benefits cease
Many Texas mothers are ready to return to work, but a lack of child care is keeping them at home. Alicia Reed worries how she will provide for her four children after her federal unemployment benefits are cut at the end of June. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/529e2acdc62c4a488f5631e85fff21ab/TheBriefPodcast%20May%2028.jpg)
![A business on the corner of Brazos Street and East 5th Street is boarded up with "Disposable Business" written on the boards on July 17, 2020 in Austin.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Leadership tensions, potential special session loom as Texas legislative session hits uncertain end
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27145cdaa7f4b94e89bb3e70bc4a2636/Patrick%20Abbott%20Phelan%20TT.jpg)
![From left, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers send $248 billion two-year budget to Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64ab417757535c60e6d2d01b6c11aa41/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![A view inside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session. The Capitol was mostly empty on opening day because of COVID-19 restrictions. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott sends state troopers, National Guard to border after increase in fentanyl seizures
Abbott said the increase in fentanyl seizures correlates with President Joe Biden taking office in January and implementing new border policies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a18a6fd9dbdc890e1a677b36b8e2805a/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A conservative Texas legislative session, with more — maybe — to come
Some conservative lawmakers are worried right now about bills falling to end-of-session deadlines, but several top Republican priorities have either crossed the finish line or are very close. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7e8b5e4f86c2e4232ed7612642c193/House%20Floor%20Budget%20Day%202021%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The House will hear dozens of bills and hundreds of amendments on the house floor on April 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he won’t doom police regulating agency to force a special session
The leader of the Senate gave himself leverage to force a special legislative session when he neglected to pass a bill to extend the life of the regulating agency for Texas law enforcement. But after blowback from the governor, Patrick said “we’re not holding anything hostage.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c9913f48565a60c3c7afdca5727b01ff/Senate%20Floor%20May%2025%20EL%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over session on the Senate floor at the state Capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73ab4e724cc2d48635022287d49ba03a/Texas%20State%20Capitol%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune