The annual meeting of the gun-rights group is expected to draw more than 70,000 people from across the United States — and protests from gun-control advocates galvanized by recent mass shootings.
Brandon Formby
Brandon Formby works with The Texas Tribune’s beat editors and reporters to bring Texans the news, analysis and explanatory journalism they need to put pressing issues into perspective. Previously, as an editor on the news desk, he helped steer coverage of legislative sessions, natural disasters, prolonged power outages, mass shootings and the coronavirus pandemic. As a reporter, he covered urban affairs. Before joining the Tribune in 2016, he reported on transportation, politics and local government for The Dallas Morning News. Brandon grew up in Plano and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
Economy
In Dallas County, life continues to be harder for people of color
A new report that looks at the growing socioeconomic gap between the rich and poor in Dallas County found that African-American and Hispanic residents continue to bear the brunt of falling incomes, and all 11 of the county’s poorest census tracts are majority-minority neighborhoods.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Houston council approves changes to floodplain regulations in effort to reduce flood damage
“To do nothing is not an option,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner, who pushed the new rules requiring new homes within the city’s 500-year floodplain to be built 2 feet above the floodplain.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
GOP state Sen. Craig Estes ousted; Sen. Bob Hall defeats Burkett
State Rep. Pat Fallon beat state Sen. Craig Estes for a seat in the Legislature’s upper chamber, while state Sen. Bob Hall held off state Rep. Cindy Burkett. Meanwhile, Angela Paxton won Texas’ most expensive state Senate primary.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Abbott and FEMA are using Harvey to reinvent disaster response. Some say that makes displaced Texans “guinea pigs.”
In the six months since state and federal officials decided to use the biggest housing recovery in modern history to rewrite the nation’s disaster playbook, neighborly networks and organized charity have buoyed disheartened Texans on the coast.
Posted in
Politics
Amid mounting debate over toll lanes, transportation commissioner says it’s time for ‘new blood’
Gov. Greg Abbott now has two spots to fill on the commission that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation at a time when he’s drawing ire for blocking toll projects.
Posted in
Transportation
Bullet train developers want to turn Houston’s Northwest Mall into major transit hub
The developers of a proposed high-speed train between the Houston and Dallas regions say they have identified an aging mall northwest of downtown Houston as the ideal spot for a station.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Transportation Commission member Victor Vandergriff reportedly stepping down
After Tryon Lewis said on Thursday that he’s leaving the five-person board that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation, a Dallas magazine reported Friday that Victor Vandergriff is also planning to leave the commission.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Going further than prior proposals, Abbott unveils a plan to slow Texas property tax growth
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday unveiled a plan to limit annual local governments’ property tax revenue growth to 2.5 percent. To increase revenue beyond that, governments would need approval from two-thirds of voters.
Posted in
2017 Year in Review
In Texas’ urban areas, leaders wrestled property taxes and pension woes
As city officials sought help overhauling pension funds and fought off lawmakers’ attempts to legislate local matters, urban Texans continued having trouble finding affordable places to live.