The six-year battle over the state’s redistricting plan illustrates how a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling four years ago has shifted the burden in challenges of such laws.
Alexa Ura
Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Posted inState Government
Pasadena drops appeal, will remain under federal oversight of election laws
Following a Pasadena City Council vote to settle a voting rights lawsuit over how it redrew its council districts in 2013, the city will remain under federal oversight for any changes to its voting laws until 2023 — the only setup of its kind in Texas.
Posted inState Government
Houston looks to Supreme Court to resolve same-sex marriage benefits fight
The city of Houston is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the Texas Supreme Court in which it suggested a landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage does not fully address the right to marriage benefits.
Posted inState Government
Principals aren’t registering high schoolers to vote. Texas is turning to superintendents.
Thirty-four years ago, the Texas Legislature enacted a novel law requiring high school principals to register eligible students to vote. But many aren’t complying, and voter participation remains chronically low.
Posted in
Demographics
Incomes continue to rise, but Texans of color still seeing a gap
Texas experienced modest economic improvement in 2016, according to new census estimates. But income inequality remains pervasive in the state.
Posted inState Government
Supreme Court puts redrawing of Texas political maps on hold
In separate orders issued Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked two lower court rulings that invalidated parts of the state’s congressional and House maps where lawmakers were found to have discriminated against voters of color, putting on hold efforts to redraw those maps.
Posted inState Government
Here’s a look at where things stand in Texas redistricting court battle
With the clock ticking toward the 2018 elections, here’s a status update on Texas’ long-winding redistricting court battle.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
For low-income Texans, a tougher road to recovery after Hurricane Harvey
There’s no doubt the lives of tens of thousands of Texans have been upended by Hurricane Harvey, but it’s low-income Texans who will face a tougher road to recovery.
Posted in
Courts
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling against Texas House map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily put on hold a lower court ruling that invalidated nine of Texas’ 150 House seats.
Posted inState Government
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling against Texas congressional map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday temporarily put on hold a lower court ruling that invalidated two of Texas’ 36 congressional districts.
