A recent call from Texas lawmakers to “Buy American” iron and steel has upset some northern neighbors worried about the implications such a measure will have on Texas-Canada trade relations.
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.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bill to reduce handgun license fee in Texas reaches Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
The proposal, Senate Bill 16 by state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, would reduce the first-time fee for a license to carry from $140 to $40 and the annual renewal fee from $70 to $40.
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Criminal Justice
Gov. Greg Abbott: “Sanctuary” law won’t open the door for racial profiling
Following the signing of a controversial “sanctuary cities” ban last week, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday the law would not open the door for people to get “pulled over and detained.”
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Criminal Justice
Bill criminalizing celebratory gunfire on life support in House
House Bill 2583 would charge anyone who shoots a gun without an intended target with a Class A misdemeanor — or a first-degree felony if a serious bodily injury or death occurs as a result.
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State Government
Senate revives House version of ride-hailing bill, keeping “sex” amendment alive
A bill meant to regulate ride-hailing companies has now made its way to the Senate — and senators have revived controversial language that would define “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female.”
Posted in
Politics
Everything you need to know about voting in Texas
What the Legislature is doing to fix Texas’ controversial photo ID law — and what that means for the 2018 primaries.
Posted in
Economy
Texas House passes measure to increase “Buy America” provisions
Senate Bill 1289 by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would increase “Buy America” provisions already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board to all state agencies.
Posted in
Economy
Senator strips “sex” amendment from bill backed by Uber and Lyft
The Senate sponsor of a bill meant to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies said Thursday he had stripped a controversial amendment that would define “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female.”
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Health care
House backs measure barring mandatory vaccines for foster children
Discussion over a bill that would improve the state’s Child Protective Services agency turned into a heated debate over vaccines — and whether they should be required for children placed in foster care.
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Marijuana in Texas
Despite bipartisan support, medical marijuana bill likely won’t reach House floor
House Bill 2107 would expand the “Compassionate Use Act” and allow the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions, such as terminal cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder.
