Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulator
Public Utility Commission chair Peter Lake had spearheaded a plan to help the state’s power grid withstand weather disasters, but the plan lacked support in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e87e13e69213ff04cf976219b1f39e0b/1129%20PUC%20Presser%20AS%20TT%2005.jpeg)
-
![Public Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Peter Lake speaks at a press conference at the PUCT Headquarters in Austin, on Nov. 29, 2022. The conference spotlighted grid reliability and readiness as Texas approaches winter.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The conservative plan to eliminate school property taxes in Texas
On this week’s episode, we speak to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s James Quintero, who has been at the center of the debate over property taxes this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08c44de64dfdc06abc030c55ba20cf51/TribCast%20June%202.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender-affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
With no deal on property taxes in sight, Abbott hints at multiple special sessions
The governor stands behind his support of the Texas House tax plan despite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s insistence that the Senate has a better deal for homeowners. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f5a7dc79116abbc41f500cb3de684483/0602%20Abbott%20TPPF%20Lege%20Recap%20EL%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton impeachment moves to Texas Senate, where conflicts of interest, political intrigue await
Senators have been publicly silent, citing their role as jurors with a weighty decision: whether to remove one of the state’s top Republicans from office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/13f53460e5c1ae5d1a8fb5eb1e3a610f/0529%20Sine%20Die%20BD%20TT%2003.jpg)
![The Texas Senate during the last day of the 88th regular session on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Facing youth prison crisis, Texas lawmakers opt to build new facilities and funnel more kids to adult system
For more than a decade, Texas has been trying to slim down its youth prison system, which has been plagued by years of abuse scandals. This Legislature is reversing that course. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a01b447db8d285f6f5e2e29281f488bb/Giddings%20State%20School%20JM%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Giddings State School, a Texas Juvenile Justice Department correctional facility, in Lee County on July 20, 2022.]()
Credit: Jolie McCullough/The Texas Tribune -
Climate proposals withered at the Texas Capitol this year
Proposals to improve energy efficiency failed. Bills that sought to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Texas were ignored, and legislation to block cities from taking action on climate change passed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/87477bfea1eea4bce26b9343e9661ce3/Willacy%20Co%20Windfarm%20BL%20TT%2061.jpg)
![Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford on May 17, 2023.]()
Credit: Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune -
No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.
Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d58b83763d4d09cfe30257a436d88da3/COVID%20Highland%20Village%20Elem%20ST%20TT%2039.jpg)
![Students in Mrs. Cazares' third-grade class on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigation finds multiple failings in the death of 8-year-old girl in federal custody
After discovering that contracted medical staff ignored the mother’s pleas to take the girl to the hospital as her condition declined, the federal agency said it is taking action to ensure an in-custody death “never happens again.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/faa833b08bb3300fcee0f21fad7d671e/Border%20Wall%20VC%20TTPP%20TT%2021.jpg)
![A border patrol vehicle on the banks of the Rio Grande in Rio Grande City.]()
Credit: Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica -
Meet the Texas House impeachment managers who are taking aim at Ken Paxton
Led by Andrew Murr, a West Texas rancher and lawyer, and Ann Johnson, a former prosecutor, the team of 12 includes 11 with law degrees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/930e0977a059afd5bb50d7ade7d4a334/GI%20Committee%20Presser%20BD%20TT%2002.jpg)
![House General Investigating Committee impeachment managers, led by Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, answer questions at a press conference on May 29, 2023. From left: State Reps. Erin Gámez, D-Brownsville; Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston; Murr; David Spiller, R-Jacksboro; Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park; Cody Vasut, R-Angleton; and Morgan Meyer, R-University Park.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers move to close foster care hiring loopholes and expand rights of parents facing investigations
Bills that would give relative caregivers more money have missed key deadlines to make it in front of the full House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8d32e1f760020fdf738556f4eaf3ff63/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A sign for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services building in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will not receive his $153,750 salary during suspension
Following Paxton’s impeachment on Saturday, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed former Texas Secretary of State John Scott to serve as the state’s top attorney. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d8d92399bdf118549fe78eb667043345/0526%20Lege%20Coverage%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023, a day before the impeachment vote in the Texas House.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
House impeachment team taps 2 top Texas lawyers, Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin, to lead Ken Paxton case
The Houston-based attorneys are legends in their own right, having participated in numerous high-profile criminal and civil matters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38039fe5240fa01fb717b6348beae8d7/Impeach%20Lawyers%20EG%2001.jpg)
![State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, head of the House impeachment managers, introduces Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin as prosecutors in the Senate trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, at the Capitol on June 1, 2023. From left: Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin, Dan McAnulty, an investigator for the committee; Murr, Erin Epley, part of the House investigative team, Rep. Erin Gámez, D-Brownsville; Donna Cameron; Reps. Morgan Meyer, R-University Park, and Oscar Longoria, D-Mission.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans are fighting over how to split $12.3 billion in property tax breaks between homeowners and businesses
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan back a plan that spreads property tax relief among all landowners, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s proposal would give homeowners a bigger boost than businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SolarPanels_0002_Layer_0.jpg)
![A number of homes an Austin's Mueller development have added solar panels, thanks to hefty local and federal incentives.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Education Agency picks Mike Miles for Houston ISD superintendent as state takeover begins
The former Dallas ISD superintendent and a state-appointed board of managers will replace Houston’s elected school board in response to years of poor academic outcomes at a single campus in the district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/94229a1c372c37b8d97acd1209c7f871/ttf-stephen-825%20.jpg)
![Texas Monthly editor and chief Brian Sweany moderates the “Superintendent Confidential" panel featuring Paul Cruz, Wanda Bamberg, Juan Cabrera, Mike Miles, and Brian Woods at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
Harris County elections face state intervention under new Texas voting laws
The bill’s sponsor says greater oversight is needed for Texas’ largest county as county officials have vowed to fight the legislation in court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/93059046a595600ba56dc27f6c56f10f/1108%20Harris%20County%20Vote%20MS%20TT%2023.jpg)
![Ballots and scanning machines arrive at central counting after polls close in Houston, on Nov 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers allocated more than $2 billion to increase the state’s water supply and reduce flooding
Texans across the state are affected by declining water supplies, water infrastructure disruptions and flooding in their communities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ef980ff9785253fd2055e6feec1e2b0a/West%20Texas%20Water%20JR%20TT%2039.jpg)
![Lake Alan Henry in Garza County on April. 27, 2023, in Garza County, about 65 miles southeast of Lubbock.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
14 U.S. House Republicans from Texas vote against raising the debt limit
Joined in opposition by four Texas Democrats, the “no” votes weren’t enough to sink the proposal, which next heads to the U.S. Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/02b299ff146b78ec9f065730a29b6221/2023-05-30T120448Z_1566297235_MT1SIPA0000CHXOZ_RTRMADP_3_SIPA-USA.JPG)
![US Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, speaks during a press conference alongside other members of the House Freedom Caucus outside of the US Capitol building on May 30, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Congress begins to examine the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 which would eliminate the debt limit for two years alongside other stipulations that Speaker McCarthy and President Biden have reached an agreement on.]()
Credit: Samuel Corum/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect -
Ron DeSantis plans 3-day fundraising swing through Texas next week
The Florida governor’s events in six cities are drawing some of the state’s biggest Republican donors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36b199d13a43e446a0b928f5388e5617/2023-05-25T175600Z_66597304_MT1ABCPR0008ZU0AW_RTRMADP_3_ABACA-PRESS.jpg)
![Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a press conference at Christopher Columbus High School on March 27, 2023, in Miami.]()
Credit: TNS/ABACA via Reuters Connect -
Tension over property taxes produces rare public clash between Dan Patrick, Greg Abbott
Always happy to castigate the Texas House, Patrick breaks form to criticize the governor as misinformed and unsympathetic toward homeowners. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b5e5d0de305db338b4e6600733bb2c2/Patrick-Abbott-Dade%20Split.jpg)
![From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Abbott taps John Scott, former Texas secretary of state, as interim attorney general
Scott, a former deputy attorney general, will run the agency because Ken Paxton has been suspended from office until his impeachment trial before the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/99f54eaea9086ffc020f302f901f7c9d/Abbott%20Chihuahua%20Presser%20EG%20TT%2019.jpg)
![Texas Secretary of State John Scott at a press conference held by Gov. Greg Abbott on April 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune