During the 84th legislative session, lawmakers considered a variety of higher education issues, including tuition costs and in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. See what happened to higher education issues this session in the Texas Legislative Guide.
Bobby Blanchard
Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.
Posted in
Politics
For High-Stakes Vote, Dukes Returns to House
Democratic lawmaker Dawnna Dukes of Austin has missed most of the session because of lingering injuries from a car accident. She made it back to the floor Tuesday for a crucial rules vote, helping block a Republican move to speed up several major bills.
Posted in
Politics
Proposal Targets Residency Requirement for Statewide Elected Officials
Statewide elected officials would no longer be required to live in Austin under a constitutional amendment that could be headed to voters on a general election ballot. The House tentatively backed the measure on Monday.
Posted inState Government
In Beaumont, Cruz Spars a Bit
Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz hit some of his main platform points while meeting with local leaders in Beaumont Tuesday afternoon, then sparred with reporters over his views on same-sex marriage.
Posted in
State Government
Trojan Horse Resolution Draws Abbott’s First Veto
In his first veto, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday killed a seemingly routine resolution honoring mental health workers after finding a surprise hiding in the text.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Judge Who Referred to DA as “New York Jew” is Reprimanded
Accused of making offensive comments and holding a 15-hour court session without restroom or food breaks, a district judge in Texas’ South Plains has been publicly admonished and instructed to seek four hours of training with a mentor.
Posted inState Government
In Gay Marriage Battle, the Clock Beats Cecil Bell
State Rep. Cecil Bell believes the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately let states decide what to do about gay marriage, and hoped to preclude it in Texas with House Bill 4105. Delays aimed at killing Bell’s bill largely shaped Thursday’s crucial House schedule.
Posted inState Government
Senfronia Thompson Expands Lawmakers’ Legislative Lexicon
The Houston Democrat has been in the House since 1973 and has learned some parliamentary tricks along the way. This week, Ms. T taught many of her colleagues about one of those maneuvers.
Posted in
Politics
Gay Rights Advocates Offer Change to Same-Sex Marriage Bill
For some gay rights advocates, a bill in the Texas Legislature that would allow clergy to refuse to marry same-sex couples would be acceptable if it just included four more words.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Gay Marriage Cases Give Republicans the Jitters
With the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in four same-sex marriage cases on Tuesday, Texas Republicans are already looking for loopholes in hopes of getting around a possible decision that effectively legalizes gay marriage.
