Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos hopes his tenure represents a shifting tide in the office — away from partisan gridlock over voting, and toward bolstering Texas’ relations with Mexico and improving life along the state’s southern border.
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.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers One Step Closer on Border Security
A major piece of border security legislation cleared another hurdle in the Texas Legislature on Tuesday, prompting lawmakers to predict that a compromise between the House and Senate will be hashed out before the session ends June 1.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
With Clock Running, Immigration Bills Cling to Senate Calendar
After idling in the Senate, two controversial immigration bills — ending in-state tuition for some undocumented immigrants and barring sanctuary cities — are apparently back in play. But it remains unclear whether sponsors have the votes to bring the measures up for debate.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Campus Carry Faces Last Hurdle in Legislature
With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, the Texas House is all that is keeping a stalled measure requiring public universities and colleges to allow concealed handguns on their campuses from reaching the governor’s desk.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas House, Senate Make Progress on Border Security Legislation
The House and Senate are close to coming together on another thorny subject that Gov. Greg Abbott declared a priority this session. But this issue doesn’t involve tax cuts.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Lawmakers Consider E-Verify Mandate for Agencies
A controversial immigration-enforcement bill similar to an executive order issued by former Gov. Rick Perry in December is moving forward in the Texas Legislature.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmaker “Encouraged” After Meeting With DPS Director
The state’s public safety director says if lawmakers let him, he’ll provide Rep. César Blanco with data on security operations on the border. The move follows weeks of tense exchanges over how border security dollars are being spent.
Posted in
Politics
From Loudmouth to Mouth of the House
State Rep. Dennis Bonnen has become a go-to mouthpiece for House leadership, and the votes for his legislation are indicative of how closely in step with him his colleagues are. If he were out of line, someone would yank his leash. Nobody has.
Posted inState Government
Senate Passes Ethics Reform of a Generation?
Bill author Van Taylor said SB 19 was one for the history books. Others, including John Whitmire, disagreed.
Posted inState Government
Senate Bill Makes It Harder to Sue Insurers
A controversial bill that would make it harder for homeowners and companies to recover certain damages from their insurance companies — cheered by the insurance industry and criticized by liberal groups and some businesses — cleared the Texas Senate on Thursday.
