The latest Texas Legislature news from The Texas Tribune.
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt told The Texas Tribune he is recovering from a serious case of COVID-19, which he thought last week might kill him. His wife and two of his children also tested positive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f35461c70ff6444b6a11213feba07db3/08_HB2_Tinderholt_MG.jpg)
President Donald Trump tweeted about delaying the November election, and in the process, launched an attack on whether anyone should trust the results when the votes are tallied. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3a409ce915aa69397d6f53fe5cef228d/Donald%20Trump%20July%2026%20REUTERS.jpg)
Rodriguez said he would focus his efforts on helping gain a Democratic majority in the House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e54891da99492cb8aac18dccf3aebc84/Sarah%20Eckhardt%20TM%20TT%2017.jpg)
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Cassi and Ross about the Texas GOP's convention chaos and how the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the state budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/24cfff331bc508f4d6fa932911e8c96d/TribCast%20July%2022.jpg)
Two other incumbents — Democrats Lorraine Birabil and Harold Dutton — were also on the ballot Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b3567e03b6f71235f3774e6fe0beea84/06_House_Legislative_Session_Capitol_MG.jpg)
A quieter-than-usual primary season is coming down to three runoffs Tuesday. Two incumbents are fighting for reelection, and there is a fierce battle for an open seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc5f100b96b207f7a0fc2927e8a1a253/House%20Floor%20MKC%20TT.jpg)
Republicans are hoping to line up their best candidates with control of the lower chamber possibly up for grabs in the fall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f814a603394206061a383c7652c18be/14_HB2_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
The developments came two days after Abbott announced an executive order requiring Texans to wear masks in most public places. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bcd605e07823f8b9e9bca880901fdfed/Abbott%20June%2016%20press%20AAS%20RBB%20TT%2004.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0d205c85e8e16d8aa1a068c0c612cb2b/Texas%20Republican%20Convention%20BD%20TT.jpg)
The police chief announced the policy change Thursday, more than a year after the Texas Legislature legalized hemp and complicated marijuana prosecution throughout the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/30/APrice-Police-2.jpg)
In this edition of TribCast, Emma talks to Matthew, Aliyya and Ross about the state's latest efforts to mitigate spread of the new coronavirus, and the State Board of Education’s ongoing debate over Texas’ sex ed curriculum. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b500916c10d4fb771f242573d65b3e8/TribCast%20July%201.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e5a8743493828462c15d003676087876/04_DallasSkyline_CR_TT.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b7cf5bde103c7f5830ed4d57a9cc740c/Flag_at_RPT_convention_BD_TT.jpg)
The release last week of audio of two Empower Texans staffers disparaging Gov. Greg Abbott with profanity and jokes about his disability became nearly instant fodder in the fast-approaching runoffs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d3a97a92f2a37abb04249a80741ab81a/Abbott%20June%2016%20press%20AAS%20RBB%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Texas Legislature is supposed to convene in January — and would ordinarily be holding public hearings on various issues between now and then. That begs a question: Is there a safe way to open the Texas Capitol to lawmakers and the public? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9753346ffdc4ef656da961bb8c82bc62/IMG_9754.jpg)
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that it violates federal law to fire an employee on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Now Texas lawmakers want to guarantee similar protections for LGBTQ Texans in housing, health care and other spheres. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/be1bac3ef97fecd6f182dbc4d60920ab/Stonewall%20Rally%20LGBTQ%20AP%20TT.jpg)
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b59b57d692e2f5f6bbb66fefe2845c/Texas%20Legislative%20Black%20Caucus%20CROWN%20ACT%20MS%20TT%2002.jpg)
As the nation reels from George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants his office to have the authority to prosecute cases in which police kill. That currently falls to local authorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b3a3bcae0d3f8c56e8bee400a2587a3b/06_AG_Ken_Paxton_MG.jpg)
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Jolie and Ross about racist social media posts by GOP officials, and the group forecasts the possibility for policy reform in the aftermath of Floyd's death. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a4f3e8359352edd872c40f4a7db826ee/TribCast%20June%2010.jpg)
Abbott also has praised Texas’ “legacy of success” on criminal justice reforms. In recent years, many police reform efforts have repeatedly failed at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da1eed7d77a1f754fbf22ebc245d26e5/ATX%20George%20Floyd%20Protest%20June%2006%20MG%20TT%2013.jpg)