Local governments in Texas finish their spending plans and set their tax rates in August, an annual exercise that includes some hot topics in this pandemic year, like police spending, public schools and property taxes.
Coronavirus in Texas
As the coronavirus spread across the state, The Texas Tribune covered the most important health, economic, academic and breaking developments that affected Texans. Our map tracker showed the number of cases, deaths, tests and vaccinations in Texas from 2020-22.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott will skip Republican National Convention to deal with coronavirus
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will instead chair the Texas delegation to the pared-down convention later this month in North Carolina.
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Coronavirus in Texas
How a $175 COVID-19 test led to $2,479 in charges
A global pandemic ravaging America is no time to forget the first rule of American health care: There is no set price. One out-of-network medical provider in Texas seeks permission from patients to charge fees as high as six figures to their insurance.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Houston announces $15 million to assist tenants, but passes on mandatory eviction grace period for people behind on rent
The city’s first program, launched in May, received overwhelming demand and ran out of funds in 90 minutes.
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Coronavirus in Texas
“I truly thought last Friday was gonna be my last,” says Texas lawmaker who was hospitalized for coronavirus
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott says local health officials can shut down schools only in limited circumstances
Abbott said local health authorities can’t shut down in-person instruction before school starts, but an outbreak on campus once students have arrived could prompt a closure.
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Coronavirus in Texas
A federal prohibition against some evictions has expired. Here’s what you need to know about unpaid rent in Texas.
Many local governments have implemented their own measures to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, and there are groups that help tenants navigate what can be a complicated and traumatic process.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus cases in Texas nursing homes more than doubled in July. Families say the state still isn’t testing enough.
On Monday, the state released data on COVID-19 cases in Texas nursing homes after initially arguing that the information wasn’t subject to public disclosure.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas’ count of coronavirus deaths jumps 8% after officials change the way they tally COVID-19 fatalities
Hispanic Texans are overrepresented in the state’s updated fatality count, making up 48% of deaths, but only 40% of the state’s population.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Conservative think tank leader says schools should reopen since most Texans dying from COVID-19 are elderly or Hispanic
In an interview, Vance Ginn said the intention of his Twitter thread was to outline the more thorough data provided by the state. He also said his tweet with a GIF was “woefully taken out of context out of bad faith.”