Mexico files diplomatic complaint over Gov. Greg Abbott’s floating border barriers
The Mexican government plans to send an inspection team to see if Texas’ buoys have crossed into Mexico’s side of the border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/853a31ababacf2cf6fefde90fcdb09f7/Buoys%20Eagle%20Pass%20KGB%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![An unfinished strand of orange buoys, meant to deter migrants from crossing the river, sits in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass on July 11, 2023.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal -
TribCast: Texas lawmakers approve property tax cuts after 7 months of trying
In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/12bc6005bfa635e538ad50f0ced644f1/TribCast%20July%2014.jpg)
![A home in East Austin in 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
“We are dying”: Houston workers protest new state law removing water break requirements
The protesters called House Bill 2127 the “law that kills” and said it will leave those who labor outdoors at the mercy of their employers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ff9e216aa015d33f0e1b94cb7f8f0af5/0714%20Houston%20Heat%20Presser%20DS%20TT%2010.jpeg)
![Members of Fe y Justicia Worker Center hold signs in protest of HB-2127 during a press conference at Houston’s City Hall on Friday, July 14, 2023. HB-2127 is a new state law that eliminates many worker protections.]()
Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raises $4.4 million in second quarter as he seeks reelection
The Republican’s haul fell short of the money raised by Rep. Colin Allred, a Democratic opponent who collected $6.2 million in a shorter period — but Cruz prevailed in the 2018 election despite getting outraised then. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9bd86bbff077be2146076dc5885aeb1e/RPT%20Friday%20JR%20TT%2027.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz signs books and greets supporters during the Republican Party of Texas 2022 Convention in George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday, June 17, 2022.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Property tax special session is over, but months of acrimony could complicate Texas lawmakers’ mission as more work awaits
Efforts to repair rifts, particularly among Republican leaders, begin as another contentious special session looms on Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for “school choice.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7644440eb12eb3aed65a8161e1384559/0628%20Second%20Special%20Session%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Speaker of the House Dade Phelan gavels the House into session on the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
New school safety laws seek to add armed guards, chaplains and mental health training. Here’s what you need to know.
Experts say many of the changes will bolster school safety but some requirements may be challenging for public schools to implement by the upcoming school year with limited funding and staffing constraints. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a3df2ca01344e56ffabb6e8c29eb296/School%20Security%20TK%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Austin Police Department officer Cory Ehrler monitors the entrance to Ridgetop Elementary School in Austin, Texas shortly after classes start on the Monday following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As the 83rd Legislature approaches, Texas lawmakers are considering making firearms more available to teachers and other school personnel. The Texas Tribune (Smith: School Security). Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa/The Texas Tribune -
U.S. House adopts Texas Republican’s amendment blocking Pentagon abortion policy
Under U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson’s change to the annual defense policy bill, service members could no longer be paid travel expenses if they are stationed in a state where abortion is not available. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/56f11d8c549014da778d9596a5a8740a/Ronny%20Jackson%20CPAC%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando on Feb. 28, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Joe Skipper -
Long-awaited $18 billion property tax-cut deal heads to Gov. Greg Abbott
House Democrats attempted to insert benefits for renters and more money for public education into the tax-cuts package in a series of floor amendments but were unsuccessful. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3e5928e601d8b67d71acf4b04526cd06/Aerial%20Suburbs%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
![An Aerial image of a suburban neighborhood in San Marcos on October 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Harriet O’Neill, former GOP justice on Texas Supreme Court, joins impeachment prosecutors against Ken Paxton
After 18 years as a district and appellate judge, O’Neill returned to private practice in 2010. She called the case against Paxton “clear, compelling and decisive.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ae9fca01d5ef99dea582ca4a9dc1a03/Harriet%20ONeill%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Former Texas Supreme court Justice Harriet ONeill in a 2010 interview with The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Justin Dehn/The Texas Tribune -
Professors sue Texas over TikTok ban, signaling First Amendment fight
The professors said the ban immediately halted research projects into TikTok and derailed their plans to lead classes discussing the social media app’s benefits and risks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2880d343155eeab96942b58d975de2da/TikTok%20HQ%20REUTERS.jpg)
![The TikTok logo outside the company's U.S. head office in Culver City, California, on Sept. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake -
Texas agency renounces workplace training that mentioned gender identity definitions
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s elected leader, Sid Miller, has fought protections for trans workers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7763d9ec71856fa0424cdda851668e4a/King%20Abbott%20Protest%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Governor’s Mansion to protest statewide business closures and mask mandates, on Oct. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Lawsuit seeks to block Texas from banning gender transition-related care for children
The families argue the new law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, violates their parental rights by stopping them from providing medical care for their children and discriminates against transgender teens. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/db1f4d9c6b6987204c1ec63f127e4208/0512%20SB%2014%20House%20Friday%20EL%20TT%2007.jpg)
![People gathered on the stairs across from the House floor to protest against SB 14, which seeks to ban puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth, before it is heard for debate in the House at the state Capitol in Austin on May 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott raised $15 million in 12-day window after regular legislative session
The governor, whose term ends in 2026, closed June with $23 million in his campaign fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0088b8a7370fcf8575248281d093f0f3/0606%20Abbott%20Bill%20Signing%20JT%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott answers questions from the press after signing eight bills during a public safety bill signing session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 6, 2023.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
Property tax cuts hit the fast track as Texas Senate advances long-awaited agreement
The package could land on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk by the end of the week. Voters must pass the plan in a constitutional election in November for it to take effect in the 2023 tax year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa5cab61144a5f1aa85adbba6a7ed79e/Georgetown%20Construction%20ST%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Construction in the Teravista neighborhood in Georgetown on May 18, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Tracy King, a moderate Democrat in a Republican-leaning district, announces retirement
King was first elected to the House in 1994. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eb0f39761d25e9f0e4222c364ad29fd1/0418%20House%20File%20EL%20TT%2013.jpg)
![State Rep. Tracy King, D-Batesville, presents a bill to the House floor during session at the state Capitol on April 18, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Republican Mayra Flores announces bid to retake South Texas congressional seat
Flores won a special election in 2022 but lost to U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat, five months later in the general election. Redistricting may complicate her comeback. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9a0b9a8019920c127298188e32ef32de/GOP%20GOTV%20RGV%20MGO%20TT%2022.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, at a GOP event in McAllen on Nov. 6, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott taps longtime aide Angela Colmenero as interim attorney general
Governor’s deputy chief of staff replaces John Scott as agency leader while suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton awaits his September impeachment trial. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8271410ab250ae192914b1b99a5bbc3c/Angela%20Colmenero%20TT%2002.jpeg)
![Angela Colmenero has been named by Gov. Greg Abbott interim attorney general for the state of Texas. She replaces John Scott, who served as first interim attorney general after Ken Paxton was suspended pending his Senate impeachment trial.]()
Credit: Social media -
Texas House and Senate reach a deal on how to cut property taxes
The deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0ede83a05962611bc57401789e6fc09d/Permian%20Basin%20Oil%20Boom%20EH%20TT%2011.jpg)
![A roofing crew begins to shingle a home under construction in the new Pavilion Park housing development on March 14, 2022 in north Midland.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez enters Democratic primary targeting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024
Known for pushing gun restrictions after the Uvalde school shooting in his district, Gutierrez will vie for the opportunity to take on Republican Cruz in the general election. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is already running in the primary. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/598789a5ba5e1cc3dd856f55f64ec49e/0124%20Uvalde%20Legislation%20EL%20TT%2007.jpg)
![State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, at a press conference with family members of the victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting to address gun violence in schools at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 24, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Abel Herrero announces he will not seek a 10th term
The moderate Democrat from Robstown chairs the Corrections Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38d3fd6d9c9a503042b041e89a0dab1d/Abel%20Herrero%202017.jpg)
![State Rep. Abel Herrero with his family on the House floor on the first day of the 2017 Texas legislative session, on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune