“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 -
Analysis: Top Texas lawyers skipping the honeymoon with the Biden administration
As the new president and vice president were taking their oaths in Washington, D.C., the state's top lawyers were promising to legally challenge the new administration at every step. Full Story
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![President Joe Biden salutes as first lady Jill Biden puts her hand over her heart during the pass in review after the inauguration ceremony, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.]()
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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 -
Gov. Greg Abbott maintains hard line against cuts to city police budgets, remains silent on reform proposals
Touting his public safety priorities for the legislative session, the governor continued to assail Austin for redirecting part of its police budget. He backed changes in police training, but said little else about reforming policing or accountability. Full Story
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![Austin police officers gathered on Interstate 35 to remove protesters from the highway. May 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense
For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
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![Then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: While his powers are questioned, Texas governor reaches for more
While some lawmakers are working to limit the governor's powers, curtailing what he can order during a pandemic, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has another project: Taking over law enforcement in cities that reduce police budgets. Full Story
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![Austin police officers stand guard outside of their headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died during an attempted arrest by Minneapolis police.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas has a problem with its COVID-19 vaccination data, and the stakes are high. Now the state is scrambling to solve it.
As the state began the massive undertaking of distributing the coronavirus vaccine, early data problems left state officials with immunization records that were outdated, incomplete and sometimes misleading. Full Story
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![Staff members work in Tarrytown pharmacy in Austin on Jan. 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas has administered most of its 1.7 million vaccine doses as it prepares to receive 333,000 more
Some 78% of the 1,725,575 doses already shipped to providers have been used, including second doses, Gov. Greg Abbott said, and Texas is set to receive 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 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 -
Texas becomes first state to administer 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
The milestone comes as intensive care beds are dwindling across the state and as experts predict daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations will worsen following an influx of holiday season gatherings. Full Story
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![A pharmacist prepares the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Houston Independent School District’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. HISD partnered with Kroger to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to educators, police officers and school nurses as part of Phase 1A and 1B of the vaccine rollout. Jan. 9, 2021.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam 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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A Texas lawmaker worked with the state restaurant association to draft an alcohol-to-go bill. His wife lobbies for the group.
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials. Full Story
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![A Waterloo Margarita DIY Cocktail Kit and two margaritas to-go from Waterloo Icehouse on June 30, 2020 in Austin.]()
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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 -
Wendy Davis says Trump supporters harassing a Biden bus in Texas should have served as a warning before U.S. Capitol riot
The former state senator, speaking publicly for the first time about the October incident, said she was not surprised by last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, criticizing Republicans for emboldening Trump supporters to act lawlessly. Full Story
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![A Twitter user captured the moment a truck and a vehicle collided as the Biden-Harris bus tour was being followed by a caravan of Trump supporters.]()
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After a rocky start, Gov. Greg Abbott promises to ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations across Texas
Twenty-eight coronavirus vaccination hubs will receive most of the state's next shipment of COVID-19 vaccines this week, with 158,825 doses shipping to providers able to manage large-scale efforts as more doses arrive in the state. 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 -
GOP megadonor couple from Hill Country launch PAC for 2022 Texas elections
The couple, Michael and Mary Porter, have emerged as some of the top donors to Texas Republicans over the last few years, and now they are getting even more serious about their political activities. Full Story
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![A view of the rotunda at the state capitol. Jan. 8, 2018.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A frustrating vaccine rollout in Texas that should’ve been smoother
The vaccine rollout in Texas is bumpier than it ought to be, especially because the federal and state governments in charge of distributing vaccines have known for months that they’d be doing this as soon as the drugs were developed. Full Story
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![Tarrant County residents wait in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Esports Stadium in Arlington on Jan. 05, 2021.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Already in crisis, Texas hospitals treat record numbers of COVID-19 patients while preparing for another post-holiday surge
The state has reported at least 28,545 fatalities tied to the virus, available intensive care unit beds are at a low and health experts say Texans can’t vaccinate their way out of the current surge. Full Story
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![A nurse visits a patient in the COVID-19 ward at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
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.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst