Analysis: Texas issues that play on the national stage

Latest News

• Grid operator says Texans can return to regular electricity use

  by Erin Douglas June 19, 2021

  The operator had urged electricity conservation earlier this week as several power generators unexpectedly went offline as temperatures rose this week. Full Story 

• With jobless Texans losing access to federal unemployment benefits, some in rural areas can’t find jobs

  by Justin Dehn June 19, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott opted Texans out of all additional federal unemployment aid starting June 26. But finding a job hasn't been easy for everyone. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes funding for Texas Legislature and its staff as punishment for Democrats’ walkout on elections bill

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: June 18, 2021

  The governor’s move comes after Democrats walked out of the House in the final days of the regular legislative session to block passage of Senate Bill 7, Abbott’s priority elections bill that would have overhauled voting rights in the state. Full Story 

• Business leaders on Texas-Mexico border say state politicians ignore community needs while calling for a wall

  by Mitchell Ferman June 18, 2021

  Many local officials and business leaders along the border say that the rhetoric is misplaced and that the broader needs of their communities can often get lost. Full Story 

• Nearly 40% of Texans are fully vaccinated, but the rate of shots administered has slowed

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: June 18, 2021

  The Texas Tribune is using daily data from the Texas Department of State Health Services to track coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

• Beto O’Rourke tours Texas again to rally Congress to take action on voting rights legislation

  by Patrick Svitek June 18, 2021

  O'Rourke has visited at least 19 cities this month and plans to hold a final rally Sunday at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Full Story 

• Bipartisan effort led by Texans to make Juneteenth a federal holiday passes Congress

  by Farah Eltohamy Updated: June 18, 2021

  The bill was passed in both chambers with wide support. Full Story 

• Together again: Texans venture out to make up for lost time

  by Texas Tribune Photo Team June 18, 2021

  With Texans finally stepping out in public again, we asked photographers across the state to give us a look at people enjoying themselves after the long shutdown. Full Story 

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick waffles over whether he still supports stronger gun background checks

  by Patrick Svitek June 17, 2021

  In September 2019, he said he was "willing to take an arrow" and go against the National Rifle Association by pushing for Texas to extend background checks to gun sales between strangers. On Thursday, he sat next to NRA leader Wayne LaPierre as an expansion of gun rights became law. Full Story 

• TribCast: Assessing Texas' power grid and its plans to build a border wall

  by Matthew Watkins and Michael Rey de Leon June 17, 2021

  On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with James, Alexa and Erin about Gov. Greg Abbott's border wall plans, the state power grid and Democrats pushing for voting legislation in Washington. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott makes interim Public Utility Commission appointment

  by Erin Douglas June 17, 2021

  The nomination comes the same week that ERCOT asked Texans to cut back their electricity use to avoid outages. Cobos’ term will last until Sept. 1 Full Story 

• Bipartisan group of Texans in the U.S. House support ending president’s authority to use military force in Iraq

  by Abby Livingston June 17, 2021

  All Texas Democratic members backed the bill, along with five Republicans: U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess of Lewisville, Michael Cloud of Victoria, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Louie Gohmert of Tyler and Chip Roy of Austin. Full Story 

• Texas empties prison to prepare to detain immigrants arrested during ramped-up border enforcement

  by Reese Oxner June 17, 2021

  The prison — Dolph Briscoe Unit in Dilley — will have capacity for about 1,000 people. Full Story 

• Critics denounce Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick’s “invasion” rhetoric on immigration, saying it will incite violence

  by Heidi Pérez-Moreno and James Barragán June 17, 2021

  “If people die again, blood will be on your hands,” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote in a tweet. Full Story 

• Supreme Court tosses Texas-led Affordable Care Act challenge, preserving sweeping health care law

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: June 17, 2021

  The 7-2 ruling said the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to sue over the law. The court’s ruling did not include an official opinion on whether the law, commonly known as Obamacare, was constitutional. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million "down payment" for border wall

  by James Barragán Updated: June 17, 2021

  The governor did not specify how long the wall would be or where it would be built. He directed the Texas Facilities Commission to hire a program manager to begin that research. Full Story