Texas Secretary of State David Whitley departs as legislative session ends
Whitley leaves his job after presiding over a botched review of the voter rolls that questioned the citizenship of thousands of eligible voters. Full Story
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Alexa Ura
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Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Past Contributions
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley attended a hearing with the Senate Committee on Nominations on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Whitley, but he must clear the committee and win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate to keep his job.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas plumbing board and laws abolished after legislative strife
The House failed to pass legislation that would have extended the agency's existence. Full Story
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![Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.]()
Credit: Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With Secretary of State David Whitley close to losing his job, anxious Democrats take attendance
The Texas Senate needs two-thirds approval to confirm Whitley, but Democrats have stood in the way after his office's botched voter roll review. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State David Whitley at a state Senate Committee on Nominations hearing on Feb. 7, 2019. Whitley was appointed to the job by Gov. Greg Abbott, but Whitley must first clear the committee, then win a two-thirds vote in the full Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers send bill to governor that would eventually outlaw red-light cameras
The legislation includes a provision to allow local governments to continue operating cameras until they finish out any contracts in effect as of May 7. Full Story
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![A red light camera at the intersection of I-35 and 11th St. near downtown Austin on May 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House committee signs off on controversial election bill
The legislation, Senate Bill 9, has several provisions, including one that would make it a felony for Texans who vote when they’re ineligible — even if they do so unknowingly. Full Story
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![State Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, listens to testimony on Senate Bill 9 from Mark Cundall with Rev Up Texas. Cundall spoke in opposition to the bill, specifically the language regarding people with disabilities. May 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas demographer: Census citizenship question isn't necessary
Responsible for providing population projections for the state, Lloyd Potter said citizenship information is not needed “for the purposes of the census." Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
Texas used money from the Help America Vote Act to help pay for its botched voter citizenship review
The expenditure appears to comply with the federal law, but Democratic lawmakers say it flies in the face of the act's purpose to improve elections and voter access. Full Story
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![Early voting inside the Memorial Student Center at Prairie View A&M University in 2018.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
This Texas bill that opponents say could lead to voter suppression has lost a key bipartisan provision
The controversial and wide-ranging Senate Bill 9 has been pitched as an election security measure, but critics have raised concerns about the effects it could have on marginalized voters. Full Story
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![House Elections Committee hearing on SB9 at the Capitol on May 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Tribcast: A snoozer Texas legislative session and blowing up the kumbaya
In this edition of the TribCast, Alexa talks to Ross, Matthew and Patrick about a legislative session that’s putting some folks to sleep, lawmakers’ report card for Gov. Greg Abbott and what could blow up the kumbaya session in its final days. Full Story
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![State Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, smiles at a colleague as her baby plays on the Texas House floor on April 17, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
In long-winding case, court considers federal oversight of Texas redistricting
A panel of three judges heard arguments in the high-stakes fight that could return Texas to the days of federal supervision of its political maps. Full Story
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune
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