A contentious measure that would allow Texas counties to consider the income of a legal immigrant’s sponsor when determining if the immigrant is eligible for indigent health care passed the state House today.
Julián Aguilar
Julián Aguilar reported for the Tribune from 2009 to 2021, most recently on politics and on the Texas-Mexico border. He focused on immigration reform and enforcement, voter ID, international trade, border security, and the drug trade. His political coverage has included local, legislative and congressional races in Texas, as well as local and national elections in Mexico. Before joining The Texas Tribune, he was a freelance writer for the Fort Worth Weekly, a government and crime reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, and a political writer for the Rio Grande Guardian. A native of El Paso, he has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Texas and a master's degree in journalism from the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism at the University of North Texas.
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State Government
Exchange of Words Between Former Friends Caps Off Tense Week at Lege
A South Texas border brawl, complete with personal attacks about weight and cowardice, took place between former allies Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, and Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco.
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Demographics
Voter Bill Draws Familiar Fight
In keeping with Republican lawmakers’ promises to strengthen state voting laws, the House today tentatively passed a bill that would make it a separate punishable offense for an illegal immigrant or non-citizen to vote or attempt to vote.
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State Government
K2 Closer to Being Outlawed
Synthetic pot, also known as K2, is one step closer to being outlawed in Texas.
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Public Education
“Spanking” Bill Passes After Being Reconsidered
A controversial bill that would require parental permission before school administrators are allowed to paddle unruly public school children passed the House today after failing on Wednesday.
Posted inState Government
Cornyn: No Need to See bin Laden Photos
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he is passing on an opportunity many of his colleagues may never get — viewing the photos of Osama bin Laden’s corpse.
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Immigration
Obama: It’s Going to Take More Than One Term
After an El Paso stop that focused on immigration reform, President Barack Obama used his second stop, in Austin, to talk politics with a sea of fellow Democrats and raise money for his upcoming re-election campaign.
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Demographics
More Debate, Same Result: House Passes Sanctuary Cities
In a last-ditch effort to tweak one of their most despised bills of the session, House Democrats tried — and failed — to adopt several amendments today to the “sanctuary cities” bill first passed by the House late Monday.
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Demographics
After Emotional Debate, House Passes Sanctuary Cities Legislation
After hours of contentious and often emotional debate, the Texas House passed HB 12, the controversial “sanctuary cities” legislation. The measure was passed on a 100 to 47 vote just after midnight.
Posted in
Demographics
Sanctuary Cities Bill Still Stuck in House
What will happen next in the debate over the contentious “sanctuary cities” bill is anyone’s guess. As the afternoon bleeds into night, Democrats in the Texas House are still huddling on the floor to discuss their next move.
