The Senate approved the relief plan on Saturday after roughly 24 hours of debate. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, as well as an additional $300-per-week in unemployment payments until early September.
Economy
Get the latest on jobs, business, growth, and policy shaping the state’s economy with in-depth reporting from The Texas Tribune.
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Winter Storm 2021
Watch: Texas farmers start to replant after winter freeze left “total devastation”
Johnson’s Backyard Garden, an organic farm near Austin, lost almost its entire crop during February’s devastating winter storm.
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Demographics
For some Texans who lost loved ones to the coronavirus, lifting the mask mandate is a “slap in the face”
One woman whose husband died said Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end the mask mandate makes the convenience of not wearing a mask seem more important than loss of life. Abbott’s spokesperson says he “joins all Texans in mourning every single life lost.”
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Coronavirus in Texas
Debate ramps up at Texas Legislature over governor’s emergency powers during pandemic
Gov. Greg Abbott is well aware that some lawmakers, particularly in his own party, are interested in reining in his authority. However, it remains to be seen how much power Abbott is willing to relinquish.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Three of Gov. Greg Abbott’s four coronavirus medical advisers say they weren’t directly consulted before he lifted mask mandate
One adviser said he thinks it’s too soon for the state to stop requiring masks in public.
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TribCast
TribCast: Gov. Greg Abbott drops Texas’ mask mandate
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over “The Eyes of Texas” at the University of Texas at Austin
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Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: Abbott’s icebreaker
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end his pandemic restrictions on masks and business capacity was a surprise — and a convenient change of subject for an executive under scrutiny for statewide blackouts last month.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Few Texas voters say they’re doing better economically than they were a year ago, poll finds
Only 18% of Texas voters say they’re better off than they were 12 months ago. A year ago, twice as many said they and their families were better off than before, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
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Coronavirus in Texas
“It’s putting us in the firing line”: Some small-business owners worry about Gov. Greg Abbott lifting coronavirus restrictions
Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Pandemic response tops Texas voters’ legislative priorities, poll finds
Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.