The Republican parties in some of the state’s biggest red counties are rebuking the governor over his use of executive authority during the pandemic.
Cassandra Pollock
Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas GOP sues Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner over canceled in-person convention
The gathering, which was expected to draw around 6,000 people, was set to happen next week in Houston.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Houston convention center operator cancels in-person Texas GOP meeting
The Republican Party of Texas’ in-person convention was scheduled to happen in Houston next week. Chair James Dickey has said party leaders have worked on a contingency plan to host the convention online.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas GOP convention will happen in person — but Republican leaders will speak via video
As the state has seen a surge in coronavirus cases, calls have been growing over the past week for the party to cancel its Houston event.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
In GOP runoffs for the Texas House, viability in November is a leading concern
Republicans are hoping to line up their best candidates with control of the lower chamber possibly up for grabs in the fall.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urges Texas GOP to cancel its convention
The in-person event is scheduled for next week, even as the coronavirus continues to spread through Houston.
Posted inState Government
Texas GOP will proceed with in-person state convention in Houston this month
In light of the decision to go forward with an in-person convention with a new mask requirement, two sponsors announced they would drop out. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he was hopeful that the organization would still reconsider.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Vanilla Ice cancels Fourth of July weekend concert near Austin as coronavirus cases surge
Plans for the concert drew outrage due to public health warnings that large gatherings can accelerate the spread of the coronavirus. But as of Wednesday night, only 84 tickets had been sold.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas sales tax revenue declined 6.5% versus last June as state reopened for business
While collections from restaurants were depressed, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that take-out and delivery sales, along with online purchases, helped buoy revenue in the restaurant and retail sectors.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Republican Party has contingency plan to move convention online if necessary, GOP chairman says
The party’s executive board will meet Thursday evening and could take action on a number of safety protocols including requiring masks, relocating the convention or making it virtual. It could also make no changes.