Senate Bill 16, filed by State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, would require an individual’s written consent for a state agency to share their personal information.
Stories by Texas Tribune fellows
The Texas Tribune welcomes a group of student fellows into our newsroom each spring, summer and fall. Here is a sampling of their work. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House targets power grid flaw that cut electricity to natural gas facilities and worsened February blackouts
The lower chamber gave initial approval Monday to a series of bills responding to this year’s catastrophic power outages during a deadly winter storm.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas business leaders say Legislature’s anti-LGBTQ bills could hurt the state’s economy
Texas Competes, which is made up of more than 1,450 Texas employers, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus and industry associations, is advocating the “economic case for equality.”
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Republicans are vowing to defy any new federal gun rules. Experts say it’s largely a symbolic gesture.
The push to steel Texas against new federal rules comes as gun violence nationwide — including a recent shooting in Bryan — has sparked Democrats to call for an assault weapons ban and stronger background checks, among other changes.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Ted Cruz among a small number of Republicans opposing bill to address hate crimes against Asian Americans
The junior senator was among only six Republicans who opposed advancing a bill that would expedite the processing of hate crimes against Asian Americans by the Justice Department.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate revives push to block cities’ paid sick leave ordinances
Supporters say Senate Bill 14 will make it easier for businesses to operate in multiple cities. Opponents call it an “existential threat to Texas workers.”
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Criminal Justice
Marvin Scott III died in Texas police custody. His family will protest until the officers involved are arrested.
Though seven of the sheriff’s officers have been fired after initially being put on administrative leave and another resigned while under investigation, the family and protesters say they don’t plan to stop until the officers have been charged with a crime.
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Courts
Texas Supreme Court voids orders that jailed Dallas salon owner for disregarding COVID-19 precautions
Dallas County issued Shelley Luther a temporary restraining order to close her business. But the Texas Supreme Court said the order was too vague.
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Politics
Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on Twitter
The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general’s tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton’s statements.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Congress allocated $19 billion in federal stimulus money to Texas public education, but schools have yet to see an extra dime
Three federal stimulus packages passed during the pandemic included more than $19 billion for Texas public schools, but state leaders have yet to distribute most of the money. Local districts say they need it to cover pandemic-related costs.
