TribCast: Assessing Gov. Greg Abbott's legislative priorities
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Ross and Alexa about Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State speech and the delays in the 2021 redistricting process. Full Story
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![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan greets Gov. Greg Abbott before he speaks to the Texas House during opening ceremonies on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Four years in, the Freedom Caucus finds a less contentious role in the Texas House
The group of hardline conservatives made waves in 2017 by sparring with House leadership and fellow Republicans. Now members say relationships with the broader chamber have improved. Full Story
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![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott open to reforming his emergency powers after months of criticism from both parties
The Republican governor said his office is "offering up some legislation ourselves" to deal with some intraparty concerns about executive authority that have cropped up during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the Capitol in Austin on April 17, 2020.]()
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Analysis: Greg Abbott’s priorities match what lawmakers are already doing
In his State of the State speech this week, Gov. Greg Abbott laid out his top priorities, and his chances of success might be pretty decent: They match up with the issues Texas legislators were already working on. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State speech at Visionary Fiber Technologies outside of Lockhart on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott unveils legislative priorities, including police funding, "election integrity," expanding broadband access and more
Gov. Greg Abbott designated five emergency items, which are matters the Legislature can vote on within the first 60 days of the session that began Jan. 12. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to deliver his State of the State speech at Visionary Fiber Technologies outside of Lockhart on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
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Analysis: Just when you think campaign season is over, Texas pulls you back in
You thought election season was over? It’s just starting, with a potential race for governor between incumbent Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who says he is considering a challenge. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
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"We do a lot of work": Texas' low-wage workers hope for more as Biden, Congress push minimum wage hike
The minimum wage in Texas pays $7.25 an hour, well below a livable wage and far lower than the minimum hourly pay in most states. Full Story
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![Monique Warren works as a baggage handler at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Warren earns $9/hour, and is a supporter of President Biden's proposals to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Jan. 28, 2021.]()
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What do new variants of the coronavirus mean for Texans? And how can we best protect ourselves?
Viruses constantly change by mutating, and the coronavirus is no exception. But health experts say it's difficult to know the exact number of variants currently around the world. Full Story
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![A nurse conducts a swab test for COVID-19 on a patient in a drive-thru station at the Austin Emergency Center at Mueller on Jan. 25, 2021.]()
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Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke spar in what could be a preview of the 2022 governor’s race
The Republican governor, who is up for reelection in 2022, and the state's best-known Democrat exchanged words Thursday after O'Rourke said he will consider challenging Abbott. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott, left, and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso.]()
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Texas National Guard teams will vaccinate residents for COVID-19 in five rural counties, Gov. Greg Abbott announces
National Guard teams will visit DeWitt, Marion, Real, Sherman and Starr counties as part of a newly created State Mobile Vaccine Pilot Program. Full Story
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![Soldiers with the Texas National Guard work at a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
As Gov. Greg Abbott vows to ban homeless camping in public, Austin officials and unsheltered residents push for better housing access
A year and a half after Austin lifted a local ban on camping in public, some city officials are pushing to turn hotels into housing for people experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, a state-sanctioned encampment in the city is full and can't accept new residents. Full Story
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![Teddy Maddux sits on his couch inside a tent made out of tarps at a homeless encampment on state-owned land in Austin on Jan. 18, 2021.]()
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Analysis: At a time like this, who needs another emergency?
Gov. Greg Abbott will give a State of the State speech next week, an occasion where governors can declare “emergency items” for early legislative consideration. It would be hard to top the emergencies already on the agenda. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott pushes Legislature to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unsuccessfully pushed for similar federal legislation. Abbott's support comes as Texas intensive care units are filling up with coronavirus patients. Full Story
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![Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Representative Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million, located in East Austin, on May 1, 2020. This was the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to gradually reopen Texas businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.]()
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Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden's executive order
To combat food insecurity during the pandemic, the new president is increasing assistance for families receiving help to make up for free and reduced-cost school lunches. He also wants to increase food stamp benefits. Full Story
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![Third-grade lunch on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
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“If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month. Full Story
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![A state trooper stand guard outside of the door to the House chamber on opening day of the legislative session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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Analysis: Top Texas lawyers skipping the honeymoon with the Biden administration
As the new president and vice president were taking their oaths in Washington, D.C., the state's top lawyers were promising to legally challenge the new administration at every step. Full Story
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![President Joe Biden salutes as first lady Jill Biden puts her hand over her heart during the pass in review after the inauguration ceremony, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.]()
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Dan Patrick asks Texas to revise coronavirus vaccine distribution plan as eligible people experience frustration trying to locate a dose
The lieutenant governor's request comes as distribution of the vaccine in Texas has been beset with miscommunication and technical issues that have created confusion for patients and providers, even as Texas outpaces other states in administering the vaccine. Full Story
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![Long lines of people wait to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park, where Dallas County opened its first "mega" vaccination site. Jan. 11, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott maintains hard line against cuts to city police budgets, remains silent on reform proposals
Touting his public safety priorities for the legislative session, the governor continued to assail Austin for redirecting part of its police budget. He backed changes in police training, but said little else about reforming policing or accountability. Full Story
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![Austin police officers gathered on Interstate 35 to remove protesters from the highway. May 31, 2020.]()
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With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense
For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
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![Then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
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Analysis: While his powers are questioned, Texas governor reaches for more
While some lawmakers are working to limit the governor's powers, curtailing what he can order during a pandemic, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has another project: Taking over law enforcement in cities that reduce police budgets. Full Story
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![Austin police officers stand guard outside of their headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died during an attempted arrest by Minneapolis police.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune