Austin City Council members will evaluate Spencer Cronk’s employment during their Thursday meeting. Cronk was hired in 2017.
María Méndez
María Méndez works on efforts to better connect with Texans and writes explainers and guides. She strives to answer Texans' questions about politics and public policy and to help them find resources. Previously, she reported on public education at the Austin American-Statesman, border and business issues at Texas Public Radio and politics and breaking news at The Dallas Morning News. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, interned at The Texas Tribune as an engagement fellow and worked for The Daily Texan, UT’s student newspaper. She was born in Mexico, grew up in Austin and speaks Spanish. She is based in Austin.
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Energy
Austin doesn’t know when it’ll fully restore power as hundreds of thousands of Texans remain in the cold
Close to 325,000 electricity customers statewide lacked power Thursday evening. Austin’s main power provider said it can no longer promise full restoration by 6 p.m. Friday.
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Texas Legislature 2023
Help us identify what matters most to Texans during the 2023 legislative session
We would like to know more about what you’re seeing in your community to help guide our reporting during the 88th legislative session.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2023
When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a difference
Readers sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions.
Posted in
Guides
Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws
Here’s a rundown of how a bill becomes a law, how the Texas Legislature works and the power players who keep things moving under the Pink Dome.
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Guides
It’s Election Day. Here’s what you need to vote in Texas.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Here’s what’s on the ballot, what you’ll need to vote, how to get help and how to find election results.
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Guides
Election Day is Nov. 8. Here are your rights at the polls.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Early voting ran from Monday, Oct. 24, to Friday, Nov. 4. The last day to apply to vote by mail was Friday, Oct. 28.
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Guides
No, Texas voting machines aren’t switching your votes
Sensitive touch screens aren’t always user friendly and make it easy for voters to accidentally select the wrong candidate. Voters should carefully review their ballots before submitting them.
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Guides
What you need to know about the county and school district seats on your Nov. 8 ballot
Texans will be choosing more than a governor and members of Congress in the midterm elections. Here’s a look at what the officials elected to several local offices oversee.
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Guides
The Texas voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 11. Here’s how to check your status and register.
How do I find out if I’m registered to vote? How do I register to vote in the first place? Who is eligible to register to vote?