In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/512018e968d06d838fd6b88e6ef5f12a/ERCOT%20PUC%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2003.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Scott as secretary of state in October 2021, and he served in an interim capacity pending Senate confirmation. He is stepping down right before the legislative session, in which his appointment would have come up for debate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3ce5e2490fc40a381446ec5935423f57/SOS%20John%20Scott%20SF%20TT%2007.jpg)
The League of United Latin American Citizens sued the city Monday, asking a federal court to halt its practice of electing five of its 16 council members through at-large elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7e2746b4d2708d4bec67656c80163b9/Houston%20City%20Hall%20PYH%20TT%2002.JPG)
Under the state’s Permanent School Fund’s Bond Guarantee Program, schools get the best interest rate on bonds. That soon may be over if the federal government doesn’t act. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/899c10fd052f29c167bc07f438154c92/Ott%20Elementary%20COVID%20AG%20TT%2024.jpg)
Republican members of the Texas House endorsed Phelan’s bid for reelection in a nonbinding vote on Saturday. An official vote from the entire Texas House will take place in January. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7c6a0e37ee3f6afa885d8f0a48d358/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
Those leaving are frustrated that the church has taken positions they feel are too liberal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a2336fc144c58679e5acbdc507409c5f/1203%20Lakeridge%20Lubbock%20TrT%20TT%2006.jpg)
The 38-year-old Hill Country man faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7209ded7813e600ec849e01d6e67eaa6/Boston%20Children%20Hospital%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
State police often rely on federal immigration officials to lock up migrants on state trespassing charges, according to a new complaint by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. The collaboration contradicts federal and Texas officials’ attacks on each other’s immigration policies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d8602b4a9c0d1ef2e3149cb038cf703/Kinney%20County%20Migrants%20DPS%20MG%20TT%2017.jpg)
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Karen about property taxes and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0b177a4291615e7443707648d33af695/TribCast%20Dec%202.jpg)
Mike May, who lost to Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal by 6,000 votes, wants the Texas House to order a new election. State law allows such an appeal, but the House hasn’t approved one in more than 40 years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fa8d320914812a771ad7950d038cbf6e/Mike%20May%20and%20Jon%20Rosenthal%20TT.jpg)
A handful of the Texas-based conspiracy theorist’s companies already filed for bankruptcy. Earlier this year, a Texas jury awarded Sandy Hook parents $49 million in a defamation case against Jones. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/93c93d10bf28059fcf0268e75c7f4c69/Reopen%20Texas%20Protest%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
The report confirms a ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation that found the privately built fencing could collapse during major flooding. The federal government resisted making the findings public for more than a year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7ea9121479469444781b12e925184496/20221202%20fisher%20wall.jpg)
Texas policies targeting access to health care for transgender youth forced one family to leave the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cdbcc51c1247c0fc976b716fd3c0c33c/Cass%20Wide%20Edit%20JV%2056.jpg)
The announcement signals a shift in Abbott’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. He had previously pushed back against bills calling for the decriminalization of fentanyl testing strips. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7ec4865f3b95852b317bfe98815156d2/Anti-Abortion%20Rally%20LW%20TT%2003.jpg)
Abdul Wasi Safi was trying to reach his brother, who immigrated legally to Houston after helping the U.S. military. Legal experts say Wasi may have to serve a criminal sentence before he can pursue asylum. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1415aaad5e57382ac3e0121fd72467f6/Afghan%20Translator%20TT%2004.jpg)
More than 16 million people had already been approved for student loan debt relief by the Education Department when a federal judge in North Texas struck down the plan last month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/68d45a3bf6bf8cba03b19824375640d2/UNT%20Free%20Speech%20Protest%20EL%20TT%2017.jpg)
In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the city of Uvalde says the district attorney is restricting information needed by its independent investigator. Uvalde wants a judge to compel the prosecutor to hand over all relevant investigative information. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08b757f4095730678cf5cfd798957822/Abbott%20Uvalde%20Presser%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
Cruz split with Sen. John Cornyn in a vote to expand paid sick days for railroad workers in a tumultuous action to stave off a potentially catastrophic rail shutdown. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/49768b4e6fab6c42ab333783f10a8f04/Ted%20Cruz%20Capitol%20Hill%20REUTERS%20.jpg)
The discussion took place at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. You can watch the conversation in person or online. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/897efc6c41fc3c513ef608c3b25fb2eb/12-8_HigherEd_Leadart-01-v1.png)
Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8d57e60382e14dfe4c41874dd1e6b81/Second%20Special%20Day%20One%20JV%20TT%2015.jpg)