The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.
Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/679a71cbb184a24b24f172fa3e496034/05_HB2_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
Patrick Svitek
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Patrick_Svitek_Aug_2021TT_03.jpg)
Patrick Svitek was the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick covered elections, state leaders, the Legislature and political trends across the state from 2015 until 2024. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. Patrick graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Past Contributions
-
![House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas announces sites for next COVID-19 vaccine shipment
State health officials said Sunday that 28 hubs will be getting 158,825 doses this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cda0200745abb334b9163858f99bfa1a/Arlington%20Vaccination%20BT%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Arlington Fire Fighter Samuel Rochin, right, administers a COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare worker Vannia Atao at the Esports Stadium in Arlington on Jan. 05, 2021.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
GOP megadonor couple from Hill Country launch PAC for 2022 Texas elections
The couple, Michael and Mary Porter, have emerged as some of the top donors to Texas Republicans over the last few years, and now they are getting even more serious about their political activities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ceb699b53266cee2691afaa82e2cca0/First%20Day%20of%2086%20Lege%20AP%20TT%2015.jpg)
![A view of the rotunda at the state capitol. Jan. 8, 2018.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After riot at the U.S. Capitol, Ted Cruz gets fierce blowback for his role in sowing doubts about Joe Biden’s victory
Wednesday’s chaos led to calls for Cruz’s resignation from Texas Democrats. But Cruz says he “ain’t going anywhere.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/49768b4e6fab6c42ab333783f10a8f04/Ted%20Cruz%20Capitol%20Hill%20REUTERS%20.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, during a committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in September of 2020.]()
Credit: Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS -
Texas politicians united in pleading for calm as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol
The chaos began shortly after some GOP lawmakers, led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, launched a dispute to the certification of Arizona’s electoral votes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0701774eb8ccfd637c6c8c0129e4fefa/Trump%20Protest%20DC%20REUTERS%202021%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol during a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. The joint session of the House and Senate was sent to recess after the breach as it convened to confirm the Electoral College votes cast in November's election.]()
Credit: Chris Kleponis/Sipa via REUTERS -
John Cornyn says he won't join growing number of Texas Republicans planning to object to certification of Joe Biden's win
The state's senior senator said Tuesday he will not object to certifying President Donald Trump's reelection defeat "based on unproven allegations." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58eb5d0589c44f8099a945abbe74087d/John%20Cornyn%20REUTERS%202020%20TT%20.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in November of 2020.]()
Credit: Walsh Susan/Pool via REUTERS -
4 Republicans, 1 Democrat file to succeed Drew Springer in Jan. 23 Texas House special election
Springer, a Muenster Republican, is on his way to the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d40f2dace33e2f6ebcca53c6b581352/Capitol%20Health%20Rally%20SS%20TT%20504.jpg)
![The south end of the Texas State Capitol on June 28, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Jan. 23 special election to fill Drew Springer's Texas House seat
Springer is joining the state Senate after a hard-fought special election runoff earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e39d09de3549101c30d7c0473de2ff4b/Drew%20Springer%202019%20JJ%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Weeks before the legislative session, state leaders’ policy priorities and COVID-19 safety plans remain works in progress
The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6bd863adf7574fce60bf475aed895917/Capitol%20House%20TW%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Texas Capitol House of Representatives on May 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott receives COVID-19 vaccine, saying he wants to serve as an example to Texans
"I will never ask a Texan to do something I'm not willing to do myself," Abbott said moments before getting vaccinated at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3866de78fbf6325c9f2c1a0a0bf411a0/Abbott%20COVID%20Vaccine%20RBB%20POOL%20TT%2046425.jpg)
![Registered Nurse April Burgeons administers a dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at Ascension Seton Medical Center on Dec. 22, 2020, in Austin. Commissioner Dr. John William Hellerstedt of the Texas Department of State Health Services far left and Registered Nurse Toby Hatton look on.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/POOL via American-Statesman