Basically, Texas has its own grid to avoid dealing with — you guessed it — the feds. But grid independence has been violated a few times over the years — not even counting Mexico’s help during blackouts in 2011.
Texplainer
Welcome to The Texas Tribune’s “Texplainer” series, where we answer questions from readers like you.
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Coronavirus in Texas
What we know about coronavirus testing in Texas
Even as demand for testing has increased, public and federal labs continue to prioritize Texans who meet certain criteria.
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Guides
How do I participate in Libertarian or Green party primaries?
Members of the Green and Libertarian parties don’t participate in Super Tuesday. Instead, they choose candidates at conventions held over the course of the next few months.
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Guides
Texas is an open primary state. Here’s what that means for how Republicans, Democrats and others can vote on Super Tuesday.
Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, which means regardless of which party voters identify with, they can choose from year to year which party’s nominees they’d like to select in a primary election.
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Guides
What you need to know about Texas’ new surprise medical billing law
The law aims to remove patients from billing disputes between health plans and doctors, but it only applies to the 16% of Texans with state-regulated health insurance.
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Guides
Here’s a list of Texas organizations that are helping the homeless
Texas officials have waged a social media war over how best to approach homelessness. Experts say one way Texans can help is to reach out to local organizations and see what they need.
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Guides
What role did Rick Perry play in the Trump-Ukraine incidents at the heart of the impeachment inquiry?
The president said his energy secretary suggested he talk to the Ukrainian president. Perry, once Texas’ governor, said his prodding was about energy and the economy — not the Bidens.
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Guides
What is Texas’ Castle Doctrine and what does it mean in the Amber Guyger case?
The Castle Doctrine justifies deadly force when a person intrudes on your property. Guyger’s case is murky since she thought she was in her apartment but was actually in the apartment of unarmed Botham Jean.
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Guides
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson took a new second job. Is that rare for the leader of a big Texas city?
After Dallas’ new mayor announced a new job with the law firm Locke Lord, many wondered how the head of one of the largest cities in Texas could manage both. It turns out that Dallas’ mayor isn’t as powerful as some may think.
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Guides
Here’s what’s in the $4.6 billion border aid bill passed by Congress
Democratic leadership in the House signed onto the GOP-led Senate’s proposal Thursday after a fight over what should be included in the bill.