El Paso officials ask residents to stay home for two weeks as COVID-19 hospitalizations surge
"Please continue to exercise your right to vote," said El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, who announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock is The Texas Tribune’s state politics reporter. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism.
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![A sanitizing station is set up at the entrance of the emergency room at the El Paso Children's Hospital in El Paso on Friday…]()
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Democratic state Rep. Senfronia Thompson files to run for speaker of the Texas House
Thompson would be the first woman elected speaker. She filed less than two weeks before an election in which Democrats hope to gain control of the chamber. Full Story
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![State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, spoke on opening Day of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature.]()
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In Texas House fight, Democrats bet big on health care, while Republicans emphasize police support
Candidates from both parties are bringing up everything from school funding to lemonade stands in the final weeks of a heated contest for control of the state’s lower chamber. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
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Texas counties temporarily blocked from offering multiple mail-in ballot drop-off locations
An order from a federal appeals court Saturday set up another potential legal showdown over voting in Texas as mail-in ballots are already being collected and just days before early voting begins. Full Story
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![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots…]()
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The Texas Legislature meets in less than 100 days. Nobody knows how the session will look.
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to affect everyday life, Texas legislators know that it won't be business as usual at the Capitol during the 2021 legislative session. But how different things will be is still an issue they're working to resolve. Full Story
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![Texas State Capitol, June 12, 2017. State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.]()
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September sales tax revenue in Texas down 6.1% from a year ago
"The COVID-19 pandemic and low price of crude oil continue to weigh on the Texas economy and sales tax revenue," Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. Full Story
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![Closed businesses in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas on March 31, 2020.]()
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State GOP Chair Allen West calls on Donald Trump to visit Texas before Election Day
“I’ve got the message up to him,” said Allen West, who took over as party chair in July. “I’d like to see the president come back to Texas one more time, especially come back to North Texas.” Full Story
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![Allen West at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016]()
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Race for Texas House majority has kept the contest for speaker quiet
No House members have declared their candidacy for speaker. Many say they have their sights set on November first as Democrats aim to flip the lower chamber. Full Story
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![State Capitol on June 20, 2017.]()
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Conservative state Rep. Steve Toth withdraws support for Gov. Greg Abbott over coronavirus response
Toth, a member of the hardline Texas House Freedom Caucus, is the latest from that faction of the GOP to express disapproval of how Abbott has handled coronavirus-related shutdowns. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local El Paso leaders to discuss the coronavirus situation for the city and state on Aug. 13, 20…]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
How Gov. Greg Abbott made Austin’s police budget cuts a top campaign issue for candidates running in November
The Republican governor isn't on the November ballot. But he has come out hard against efforts to shift city money away from policing, echoing a national debate on policing and crime during a tumultuous election season. Full Story
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![Protesters clash with police in riot gear in downtown Austin on August 1, 2020.]()
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Unemployed Texans will no longer receive an extra $300 in weekly payments
The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified state officials Wednesday that the payments for out-of-work Texans have ended, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, which handles unemployment claims. Full Story
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![Volunteers from the Central Texas Food Bank distribute disaster relief food boxes at the Waco ISD stadium on April 14, 2020.]()
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Texans spent less going out to eat and drink, but more on home improvement as coronavirus cases peaked this summer
The state collected 5.6% less in sales tax revenue last month than in August 2019. The expiration of some federal relief aid could mean more decreases in coming months. Full Story
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![Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the Biennial Revenue Estimate for the 2020-21 biennium at the state Capitol on Jan. 7, 201…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus wants an investigation into Fort Hood. At least nine soldiers stationed there have been found dead this year.
The Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus reupped its request on Friday for a congressional investigation into Fort Hood, the Killeen military base. Full Story
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![A sign in support of an investigation of the spate of deaths stemming from Fort Hood.]()
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“It could have been far worse”: Texas and local officials express relief after state avoids massive damage
Gov. Greg Abbott said an aerial view of the area revealed more ripped-off rooftops and downed trees in Orange than anywhere else in Texas. Full Story
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![A flooded street in Orange, the morning after Hurricane Laura made landfall.]()
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What you need to know about Colin Allred and Victoria Neave, two of the DNC’s “rising stars”
The Dallas lawmakers are among a group of 17 participating in Tuesday night's keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, and state Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas.]()
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Democrats, local election leaders fear Donald Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting foreshadow voter suppression
Changes at the U.S. Postal Service have raised concerns about whether ballots will be delivered on time, but local officials and Democrats stress that mail-in voting remains a vital and safe way to cast a ballot. Full Story
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![A USPS delivery truck in Austin on April 21, 2020.]()
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USPS warns Texas that some mail-in ballots may be delayed in November
It is unclear how many Texas voters may be affected should delays occur. Texas was among 46 states that received a warning from the United States Postal Service, according to The Washington Post. Full Story
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![USPS employee Sweetie Dionne delivers mail on her usual route in the Cherrywood neighborhood in Austin on April 6, 2020.]()
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Texas Legislative Black Caucus unveils the George Floyd Act to ban chokeholds and limit police use of force
In a press conference featuring Floyd's brother, the lawmakers said they hope their bill wins the support of Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
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With school reopening, Gov. Greg Abbott sets off another debate over whether local or state officials are in control
Abbott’s decision to curb the role of local health authorities in school reopening decisions has added to the ongoing conflict between him and local governments during the pandemic, with mayors and judges voicing frustration over having their hands tied by the state’s response. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott puts on his mask during his press conference after talking to local and county officials about the damage d…]()
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Texas sales tax collections went up in July — and were higher than one year ago
Texas collected $2.98 billion in sales tax revenue in July — 4.3% more than in July 2019. Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the number was "better than expected." Full Story
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![A restaurant worker cleans a table at Güeros Taco Bar in South Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune