Last November, after two Texas electors went rogue by voting for someone other than the Republican nominee, support for proposals to bind Texas Electoral College members to voting for the state’s popular vote emerged. What happened?
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 inState Government
The Brief: Another state voting law, another legal challenge
Texas voting law requires language interpreters helping someone at the ballot box to also be a registered voter in the same county. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is taking up a legal challenge this morning over it.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Prepare for a blockbuster special session
It is happening — a special legislative session, that is. Gov. Greg Abbott, ended the speculation Tuesday when he announced he was calling the Texas Legislature back for a special session starting July 18.
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Politics
20 things Gov. Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to address in a special session
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he’s calling lawmakers back for a special legislative session starting July 18. Here’s what he’s committed to adding to the call.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Is a special legislative session around the corner? We may find out today.
As speculation over a potential special legislative session has mounted this past week, Gov. Greg Abbott may be calling one later today. The governor is holding a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol.
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Politics
Watch: Amid speculation over special session, Greg Abbott hosts press conference
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is hosting a press conference at 2:30 p.m. The topic? He hasn’t said yet — but we’re betting it’s an announcement on a special legislative session.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: We asked for hurricane vulnerability documents. 18 months later, this is what arrived.
Nearly two years after The Texas Tribune and ProPublica first started trying to understand how a massive hurricane could affect the city of Houston, a lot of uncertainty remains.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: “Sanctuary” law fight heats up
The cities of San Antonio and Austin announced Thursday they were joining the fight to stop Senate Bill 4, the state’s new law banning “sanctuary cities,” in federal court.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: The Legislature went after ethics reform this session. Did they do enough?
Lawmakers passed broad reforms this year that would increase transparency and conduct among their own ranks. But watchdog groups say they didn’t go far enough.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Abbott to sign emergency child welfare bills
A couple days after the Texas Legislature gaveled out of its regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign a handful of legislation aimed at overhauling the state’s embattled child welfare system.
