In a letter Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott told former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold he should return $84,000 that he used to settle a sexual harassment claim to taxpayers by funding a June 30 special election to finish his term.
Congress
Read the latest Texas Tribune coverage of Congress, from the state’s lawmakers in Washington to key legislation and political debates shaping Texas and the nation.
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Politics
Federal judge says Trump administration must allow new DACA applications
U.S. District Judge John D. Bates ruled Tuesday that the administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was never fully explained and could not be justified. However, Bates did allow for a 90-day hold on his ruling “to afford [the Department of Homeland Security] an opportunity to better explain its view that DACA is unlawful.”
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State Government
Texas redistricting case’s oral arguments at U.S. Supreme Court focus on jurisdiction debate
As the U.S. Supreme Court took up Texas’ redistricting case, several justices questioned whether they even had the authority to pick up where a lower court left off.
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Politics
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott schedules June 30 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold’s seat
Gov. Greg Abbott has called a June 30 special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi. The candidate filing deadline is Friday. Farenthold abruptly resigned in April.
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Graphics and data reporting
How a fluke win diminished the political clout of Hispanic voters in this Texas congressional district
Two congressional districts are part of a Texas redistricting case the U.S. Supreme Court will take up Tuesday. Here’s a detailed look at what’s at issue in one of them: the 27th Congressional District.
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Higher Education
From the Chinese government to the Koch Brothers, outside donors receive scrutiny at Texas universities
Under pressure to keep up with rising expenses, colleges in Texas and across the country have turned to outside groups to underwrite certain initiatives. But bringing in outside funders can lead to questions about whether their donations come with strings attached.
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Politics
All the Democratic men in the U.S. Senate — plus Ted Cruz — sign letter urging overhaul of Congress’ sexual harassment policy
Cruz, a Texas Republican, is at the forefront of revamping the U.S. Senate’s internal sexual harassment policies. Last year he joined a New York Democrat in introducing legislation proposing such an overhaul.
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Texas Elections 2018
New poll finds race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke “too close to call”
A new Quinnipiac University poll of Texas voters finds 47 percent support Cruz, the Republican incumbent, while 44 percent back O’Rourke, an El Paso Democrat.
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Politics
In 2010, Blake Farenthold beat a Texas Democrat who seemed invincible. Will a Republican face the same fate in 2018?
Democrats took a shellacking during President Barack Obama’s first midterm election in 2010, and U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz’s loss was one of the biggest surprises. Eight years later, some are wondering if Republicans have some overly confident incumbents unprepared for a potential “blue wave” in November.
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TribCast
Redistricting hits SCOTUS, Stockman gets convicted (podcast)
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Patrick, Alexa about the Supreme Court-bound Texas redistricting case, Ted Cruz’s latest fundraising numbers and former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman’s criminal conviction. Democratic congressional candidate Rick Trevino joins the conversation.
