With feelings raw over voting bill's demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now
Members celebrated the end of the session, but also acknowledged that they’ll be back sometime soon for at least one special session. Full Story
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Shawn Mulcahy
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Shawn Mulcahy was a coronavirus reporting fellow in 2020 and a contract politics reporter in 2021. Shawn received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his master’s degree at Northwestern University. He worked as an investigative reporter for Northwestern’s Medill Investigative Lab and has written stories for The Washington Post about abuse and neglect in nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic. He’s also worked as a reporter, producer and host for WFSU Public Media, an NPR and PBS member station.
Past Contributions
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![House members praised House Speaker Dade Phelan on Sine Die. May 31, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watered-down expansion of Texas’ medical marijuana program signed into law
House Bill 1535 expands eligibility for the Texas Compassionate Use Program to people with cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's effective Sept. 1. Full Story
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![Newly planted marijuana plants at Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation Medical Marijuana facility in South Austin on April 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Overhaul to Texas state government employees’ retirement accounts advanced out of Legislature
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new state workers in a cash-balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — rather than the defined-benefit pension plan that current employees have. Full Story
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![The dome of the Texas Capitol on April 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for 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 -
A bill to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program started moving in the Senate. Advocates worry time is running out.
House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Full Story
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![Mature marijuana plants at Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation Medical Marijuana facility in South Austin on April 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP state senator urged use of unproven hydroxychloroquine treatment for COVID-19. Now he's spreading doubt about vaccines.
In a period of sagging vaccination rates — particularly among staunch conservatives — state Sen. Bob Hall used his platform to promulgate debunked anti-vaccine conspiracies and push claims that have largely been eschewed by the medical community. Full Story
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![State Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, on the Senate floor on May 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
CDC lifts mask guidance for fully vaccinated people — but less than a third of Texans are fully vaccinated
The announcement will likely give new life to the debate about requiring vaccinations that has been playing out in Texas and across the nation. Full Story
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![A COVID-19 safety sign in Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Permitless carry of a handgun in Texas nearly law, after Senate OKs bill
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Full Story
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![Gun rights activists gathered at the Capitol on April 29, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ pandemic budget shortfall disappears, as latest forecast shows a surplus
The latest revenue estimate doesn’t take into account all of the federal relief that has been sent to Texas over the past year by Congress through pandemic relief packages. State lawmakers have wrestled with how and who has the authority to spend that money. Full Story
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![Lawmakers sit through hours of debate over police reform in the Texas House on April 29, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
“My name is Dan and I’m an alcoholic”: State Rep. Dan Huberty confronts addiction after DWI arrest
Huberty was arrested on April 23 in Montgomery County after he crashed his Corvette into a minivan and failed a sobriety test. He was driving home from the state Capitol. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, during the committee hearing on Oct. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune