Joe Biden signs COVID-19 relief bill that will give millions of Texans $1,400 checks
The bill, which also includes billions in aid for state and local governments, now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol during sunrise in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
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Masks won't be required at state Capitol — but lawmakers face stricter rules in House, Senate chambers
The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered. Full Story
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![A sign states that face masks are required to enter the House gallery at the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: One way or another, Texans will get the bill for fixing the electric grid
It's going to be expensive to make sure the state's electricity stays on during winter storms like the one that blacked out most of Texas last month, and the money will come, one way or another, from average Texans. Full Story
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![Josh Olszewski cooks eggs over a a grill after his apartment lost power due to the severe winter storm that hit the state. Feb. 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas no longer has a statewide mask mandate. But face coverings are still required in some businesses and public places.
Texas’ statewide mask mandate has ended as of March 10. Businesses are also now allowed to operate at full capacity as long as the hospitals in their region haven’t been treating a large share of patients for COVID-19. Here’s a look at what the loosened restrictions mean for Texans. Full Story
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![A sign in South Austin asks customers to wear a mask inside ta business on March 3, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott appointee to a river authority steps down after contentious confirmation hearing over inflammatory tweets
The Brazos River Authority appointee, Darren Yancy, faced questions from Democratic senators Monday about his social media activity targeting President Joe Biden and former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. Full Story
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![The south end of the Texas State Capitol on June 28, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Proposal in Texas House would give special committee oversight of governor's pandemic orders
The provision is expected to be added to a bill addressing the governor's pandemic powers that has been denoted as a priority by House Speaker Dade Phelan, according to a draft obtained by The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott puts on his mask during his press conference after talking to local and county officials about the damage done by Hurricane Hanna in Nueces and Kleberg counties on July 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times via REUTERS -
Another Texas GOP lawmaker is attempting to make abortion punishable by the death penalty
Similar bills filed in the Texas Legislature in previous years have failed. Full Story
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![An ultrasound machine at women’s health clinic in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Millions of Texans still don’t have broadband access. Some lawmakers are trying to change that.
Although much of the attention is focused in the lack of infrastructure in rural areas, large numbers of urban residents also don't have broadband subscriptions. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers plan slate of bills in response to power outages, but experts skeptical there will be meaningful change
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday also said he wants lawmakers to prioritize correcting any ERCOT-related billing errors, including inaccurately high electricity charges. That came after the Public Utility Commission said it will not fix ERCOT's $16 billion power billing mistake. Full Story
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![Snow at the Capitol in Austin on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
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Cat Parks paves own path as Texas GOP vice chair under bombastic Allen West
Parks has risen quickly in Texas GOP politics since being tapped to run a small county party a few years ago. Full Story
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![Cat Parks, Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair, stands for the pledge of allegiance before speaking to The Woodlands Republican Women’s Club at Landry’s Seafood in The Woodlands on Feb. 10, 2021.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: After the blackouts, a whiff of the 2022 elections in Texas
A proposed remodeling of the state’s electricity grid from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller might be more than it seems. It reads like a campaign’s position paper. Full Story
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![Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed delegates at the Texas Republican Convention. June 16, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrants
Abbott said it is the federal government’s responsibility to test the migrants. Full Story
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![Migrants in MPP cross the Paso del Norte International Bridge from Ciudad Juárez to El Paso on Feb. 26, 2021.]()
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Oil and gas interests left to “self-regulate” in aftermath of winter storm as Texas politicians pile on to ERCOT
Politically powerful natural gas production and transportation companies, along with their regulators, appear to have so far escaped the wrath of the governor and the Legislature in the aftermath of the Texas power outages. Full Story
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![A gas flare burns bright on a production site northeast of Andrews, Texas.]()
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Analysis: How Gov. Greg Abbott's attack on "defunding the police" has divided Texas Democrats
The governor's pivot from a focus on racism and policing after protests last summer to an emphasis on police funding and public safety, creates cross-pressures for Texans of color — particularly those who are Democrats, our pollsters write. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, and Speaker Dennis Bonnen before signing a Texas Backs the Blue Pledge at the Austin Police Association on Sept. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
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.” Full Story
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![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
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![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Recreation Center in El Paso on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
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TribCast, special edition: Our pollsters analyze how Texans feel about vaccines, elections and police
In this edition of the TribCast, Ross talks to pollsters Joshua Blank, James Henson and Daron Shaw about the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll and what voters are thinking about vaccines, elections, police and the ongoing pandemic. Full Story
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![People receive their drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine at the Fair Park vaccination site in Dallas on Feb. 8, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson denies allegations he made sexual comments, violated alcohol policy while White House physician
The Panhandle Republican says the investigation, which examined testimony from more than 70 witnesses as well as documentary evidence, was “a political hit job.” Full Story
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![President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, meets with Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, at his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2018.]()
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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. Full Story
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![The COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas businesses must decide whether to require face masks. Some worry they could lose customers either way.
A day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to fully reopen businesses and end the state’s mask mandate, small business owners across Texas found themselves struggling to decide what to do next. Full Story
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![Server Ashleigh Roessler dons a new pair of gloves as part of safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Aug. 13, 2020 at Bar Peached in Austin.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune