A meeting between state Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over Confederate monuments on Capitol grounds ended with the governor supportive of removing a controversial plaque, according to Johnson.
Alex Samuels
Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: Did the Railroad Commission chairwoman fire its executive director?
After two members of the Railroad Commission’s board sparred over the fate of the agency’s executive director, questions arose about decision-making and transparency within the state agency.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: What’s on the November ballot?
Monday marks the beginning of early voting for the Nov. 7 election. Here’s a look at the seven amendments to the state’s constitution that Texans are being asked to decide on.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: What constitutional amendments will be on the November ballot?
Here’s a look at the seven constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot for the November 7 election.
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Guides
Hey, Texplainer: Is Texas removing Confederate markers from the state Capitol?
Texas is home to more than 180 public symbols of the Confederacy, including around a dozen on the Capitol grounds. However, some state lawmakers are making efforts to remove some markers at the Capitol.
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Politics
Dreamers greet DACA renewal deadline with anxiety and unanswered questions
Tens of thousands of DACA recipients, many of them Texans, have until Thursday to submit their renewal applications for the Obama-era immigration program that the Trump administration has said will end early next year.
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Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott to meet this month with Dallas lawmaker on Confederate markers
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will meet with state Rep. Eric Johnson, a Dallas Democrat, on Oct. 27, according to the governor’s office. Johnson has called for an inaccurate Confederate plaque to be removed from the Capitol.
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In Harvey's Wake
Hey, Texplainer: Will previous home damage affect filing claims post-Harvey?
Previous home damage doesn’t impact someone’s ability to file a claim post-Harvey. And just to be safe, both state and federal officials encourage anyone who sustained home damages during Hurricane Harvey to apply for aid.
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Now on the Books
New Texas law lowers fees for handgun licenses
A new law reduces the first-time fee for a license to carry from $140 to $40 and the renewal fee from $70 to $40.
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Now on the Books
New state law seeks to reduce the number of child brides in Texas
A new state law prohibits anyone under 16 from getting married and requires people under 18 to get a judge’s consent before marrying.
