The court ordered Austin to pay a fine to the state for each day it prevented investigators from the attorney general’s office from carrying their firearms.
2019
Posted in
Dis-Integration
To settle voting rights suit, Richardson ISD will get rid of at-large elections
The board, which is all white, will shift five of its seats to single-member districts in a bid to add more representation for people of color.
Posted in
Energy
Report: Texas coal power plants leaching toxic pollutants into groundwater
Analyzing groundwater monitoring data that power companies are now required to report to the federal government, the Environmental Integrity Project found that groundwater under 16 Texas coal plants had unsafe levels of contaminants including arsenic. The pollution is linked to disposal pits for spent coal.
Posted in
Immigration
Trump administration took thousands more migrant children from parents, report says
According to the Department of Health and Human Services’s inspector general report, the separated children include 118 taken between July and early November — after the administration halted a short-lived family separation policy.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
How will the Texas Legislature address school shootings? Likely not with gun control.
State leaders have promised to tackle school safety this session, and lawmakers are expected to push bills that would beef up mental health screening programs and make it easier to arm teachers.
Posted in
Texas Voting Rights
Trump administration opposes a return to federal oversight for Texas redistricting, reversing Obama-era stance
The Trump administration no longer supports requiring Texas to obtain federal approval of changes to its legislative and congressional maps.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
As presumptive House speaker, Dennis Bonnen raised $4 million in a month
In July, Bonnen was a House member with $707,000 in his war chest. After he announced for House Speaker and became the favorite to succeed Joe Straus, he was getting more than $150,000 in donations per day.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
TribCast: Texas inaugurations and big ideas for education
On this week’s TribCast, Ross talks to Alex, Aliyya and Patrick about the inaugurations of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick, proposed state budgets with big money for schools and the first Texan to enter the 2020 presidential race.
Posted inState Government
Saying he’s in a “funk,” Beto O’Rourke hits the road amid 2020 speculation
The former Democratic congressman from El Paso, facing calls to run for president, says he’s “been stuck lately” and hopes a road trip will help clear his mind.
Posted in
Politics
Beto O’Rourke’s immigration plan: No wall, but few specifics
When it comes to many of the biggest policy issues facing the country today, Beto O’Rourke’s default stance is to call for a debate — even on issues related to the border and immigration.
