Past Contributions

• Legal experts: Emergency declaration may not be quickest way to build wall

  By Kiah Collier and Arya Sundaram March 11, 2019

  Even if President Donald Trump gets his way, eminent domain lawyers say a variety of legal issues would arise surrounding private land seizures that could delay wall construction for years — and even derail it entirely. Full Story 

• Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson chosen as the next president of University of Texas at El Paso

  By Arya Sundaram Updated: March 8, 2019

  The University of Texas System Board of Regents unanimously picked Wilson to replace UTEP's longtime leader, Diana Natalicio. Full Story 

• As debate rages on border wall funding, construction is already beginning

  By Arya Sundaram Feb. 15, 2019

  In far South Texas, federal contractors are preparing to break ground on 33 miles of new fencing that Congress authorized last year. Full Story 

• Shutdown deal includes language to protect a butterfly sanctuary and other landmarks from border barrier

  By Arya Sundaram Feb. 14, 2019

  A 1,159-page spending package would shield major cultural sites like the National Butterfly Center from border fencing — but it would also pump $1.375 billion into additional barriers along the Rio Grande. Full Story 

• Trump's border national emergency plan draws outrage and legal threats from some in Texas

  By Julián Aguilar, Arya Sundaram, Abby Livingston and Patrick Svitek Feb. 14, 2019

  The president looks poised to sign a bill that will avert another government shutdown, then use an emergency declaration to instruct the military to build his wall. From Congress to the border, Texans react. Full Story 

• This Texas program lands poor people in jail. Getting rid of it has been too complicated — but that might be changing.

  By Arya Sundaram Feb. 13, 2019

  Lawmakers in both chambers and parties want to fix the controversial Driver Responsibility Program, but the program funds state trauma centers. Where will they find $144 million to fill the gap? Full Story 

• Texas leaders want voters to OK property tax revenue growth over 2.5 percent. They couldn't get 4 percent in 2017.

  By Brandon Formby, Aliyya Swaby and Arya Sundaram Updated: Jan. 31, 2019

  The leaders of both legislative chambers say they will be united this year — even if cities and counties push back — and that local officials should come to Austin with solutions in hand if they don't like new proposals. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers want to fix wait times at driver's license offices. Will they agree on a solution?

  By Arya Sundaram Jan. 28, 2019

  The Texas House wants to pump $200 million into the state's driver's license program — and possibly move it to a new agency — to alleviate what have become all-day waits for some Texans at Department of Public Safety offices. Full Story