Most of Lubbock will join the ERCOT grid this weekend
The city made plans to join the state's main power grid in 2015. But some residents and leaders feel anxious about the move after February's deadly winter storm. Full Story
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![Four reliability coordinators monitor the state power grid during a tour of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) command center in Taylor on August 14, 2012.]()
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U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, John Cornyn vote against commission to investigate January insurrection
U.S. Senate Republicans successfully blocked the establishment of a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Cruz and Cornyn voted against proceeding with debating the commission. Full Story
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![Pro-Trump rioters and police clashed at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. The mob broke windows and breached the Capitol building in an attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. Police used buttons and tear gas grenades to eventually disperse the crowd. Rioters used metal bars and tear gas as well against the police.]()
Credit: Lev Radin/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Amid a pandemic with unequal impact, a proposal for a new Office of Health Equity died in the Texas Senate
Democratic lawmakers wanted to replace a defunded agency by creating a new office that would look at health inequities across the state. But after Republicans pulled it into ongoing debates about transgender rights and critical race theory, the bill died in the Senate. Full Story
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![Beverly Mills, a teacher at Anderson Elementary School, gets vaccinated by pharmacist Ilana Druker at Houston Independent School District’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center on Jan. 9, 2020 in Houston.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for 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
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![From left, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan.]()
Credit: 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
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![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 -
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
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![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 -
Watch: An expert panel discusses President Biden’s border policy
Lomi Kriel of the ProPublica-Texas Tribune investigative unit moderated the panel, which talked about the policy decisions that have created confusion at the border, what to expect in the coming months and possible paths to reform. Full Story
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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
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![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 -
Texas could give landowners more say in eminent domain negotiations under bill sent to Greg Abbott’s desk
After failing last session, lawmakers finalized a bill — described as a “delicate compromise” — that provides new protections for landowners in negotiating with companies attempting to seize their land through eminent domain. Full Story
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![Construction on the Permian Highway Pipeline Through Central Texas in Hays County on June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s criminal case to be heard in Collin County, appeals court rules
The case was moved to Harris County from Collin County after prosecutors argued that having the trial there would be unfair because of Paxton's political ties in that region. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony for Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol. Jan. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./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
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![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 -
Texas lawmakers split over how long to extend Medicaid health coverage for new mothers
Maternal health advocates said the bill — originally pitched as a one-year extension — could reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate and offer vital help to mothers with conditions like postpartum depression or health complications in the months after giving birth. Full Story
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![Patients wait to be seen at the People's Community Clinic in Austin, which provides state-subsidized women's health services to low-income women, July 15, 2014.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
After Harris County was left out of latest round of Hurricane Harvey relief funds, George P. Bush asks feds for $750 million
Bush's announcement comes after an outcry from Houston and Harris County leaders who requested $1.3 billion in federal funds for Harvey relief but were left off a list of recipients the General Land Office released. Full Story
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![People balance on the Southwest Freeway divider in Houston as cars turn away from flooding on Sunday morning, Aug. 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texans can now schedule free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for groups of 5 or more
Gov. Greg Abbott encouraged “groups of Texans who wish to get vaccinated as a business, family unit, friend group, or more” to schedule an event. Full Story
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![A healthcare worker from the El Paso Fire Department administers the a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center near the Santa Fe International Bridge, in El Paso on May 7, 2021.]()
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Texas GOP’s bills targeting transgender children have exacted a mental health toll, even if they don’t become law
GOP bills that sought to restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed key deadlines. But LGBTQ advocates say the mere specter that such measures could become law does mental health damage to transgender people. Full Story
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![Transgender rights activists gather outside the entrance to the House floor on May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Will Dan Patrick force a special session of the Texas Legislature?
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about the politics and the policy surrounding the lieutenant governor's push to reconvene the Legislature in June. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to reporters at a press conference from the State Capitol on Thursday, March 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for 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
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![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Multiple Senate GOP priorities fail in Texas House after last-ditch effort by Democrats to run out the clock
The Democrats delayed and deflected as they tried to run out the clock on bills they oppose. Republicans strategized to push through bills they’d worked on all session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, asks a question during session on the House floor at the state capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for June special session after three of his priority bills fail in Texas House
Gov. Greg Abbott responded, "Some are trying to end the game before the time clock has run out. There’s still time remaining for the House and Senate to work together to get important conservative legislation to my desk." Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a press conference about Senate Bill 7 at the Texas Capitol on April 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upholds “revenge porn” law
In 2018, a lower court ruled that a state law that prohibits posting someone’s intimate photos online without their permission violated the First Amendment. Wednesday’s ruling overturns that decision. Full Story
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Credit: Photo illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune