The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
The policy required asylum seekers who passed through Mexico on their way to the U.S. to stay in Mexico while their claims were processed. Many were forced to live in sometimes dangerous and unsanitary migrant camps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/183083fd5aa35895dc4b2e618fdc0b04/06%20Bridge%20Nuevo%20Laredo%20MPP%20TT.jpg)
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Senate Transportation Chair Robert Nichols about Infrastructure Week and the challenges of getting people and goods from point to point in a fast-growing, rapidly urbanizing state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ee3b23c67609fb74b29eb60f2b7d02d0/TT-PointofOrder-podcast-launch-art.png)
Texas lawmakers have filed six bills that target transgender students’ sports participation — and two of those bills would affect colleges and university sports in addition to K-12. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e3321dba155113fce21fee7dbde795b/NCAA%20March%20Madness%20TT.jpg)
Supporters say Senate Bill 14 will make it easier for businesses to operate in multiple cities. Opponents call it an "existential threat to Texas workers.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e295d1139caa178f7f6b2ca941dc8be9/Pro-Mask%20Workers%20Protest%20EL%20TT%2004)
Texas voters might still have a hangover from the 2020 elections, but the prospective candidates don’t — they’re already maneuvering for the 2022 elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d49928996ffa450294f4e139180d1f71/Capitol%20File%20Feb%201%20EL%20TT%2009.jpg)
An outraged Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick castigated those implying that GOP efforts to restrict Texas voting are racist. But the state has a history of marginalizing voters of color, and many business leaders, voting rights advocates and Democrats see it taking another step down that path. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ac682888daf6067ad5c445a68e5dab9/Harris%20County%20Early%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2007.jpg)
Abbott largely remained silent despite reports of widespread abuse in migrant shelters during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eae0423ceb9a0fe68c1e6b905dfb8dab/RGV%20Migrants%20Minors%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general's tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton's statements. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/21727e695c2fc32f1f4ad3e06c833737/06%20AG%20Ken%20Paxton%20MG%20TT.jpg)
On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0b8c4a6a9a92907411bca81b15fffebb/TribCast-HTX%20COVID%20Vaccine%20AM%20TT%2007.jpg)
10 of the 13 Texas Senate Democrats voted in favor of the "Star Spangled Banner Protection Act," which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named a legislative priority after the Dallas Mavericks stopped playing the national anthem before games. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cf48e76a59f21960a04f4a0d7a62b419/Dallas%20Maverick%20National%20Anthem%20REUTERS.jpg)
Bush said the state's top law enforcement official "needs to be above reproach." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a746a1630c963291164672911b936fa8/Ken%20Paxton%20George%20P%20Bush%20Split%20TT.jpg)
Like other Republican proposals, the measure would target Harris County’s initiatives from the 2020 general election, including a shift to proactively send out vote-by-mail applications. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbf34fd0d43834115384e0656bffbb14/Hays%20County%20Early%20Voting%20JV%20TT%2021.jpg)
The suit says Trump and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, violated the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f9c74896c525bff9a658560eee0db9c/Escobar%20Impeachment%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The governor did not know the identities of those who alleged assault, nor did he provide many details. He said he was concerned more than one child may have been assaulted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e887644f276b8c1b0f3874596a4db2e/RGV%20Migrants%20Minors%20REUTERS%20TT)
According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications for rental assistance, just over 1,000 have had their applications approved. And only 250 of payments have been sent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e00d137abd73f453d9cdb4ed28503bba/Houston%20Evictions%20PYH%20TT%2002.jpg)
The number of reported maternal deaths has increased nationwide in recent decades. Health experts and advocates say giving low-income moms Medicaid coverage for a year after delivery, rather than two months, could save lives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/558bb8d2ebc4fc1b339f4b6aa6c00b6a/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20CR%20TT%2001.jpg)
The budget does not factor in over $35 billion in federal aid. Senators said they don't yet know when that money will come in and what strings could be attached. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d23353ecad184994823444898031f59/Lege%20March%2030%20JV%20TT%2044)
The smaller battlefield — at least initially — comes after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted 10 seats last election cycle in Texas and flipped none of them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/275bcf2c67729227dd202327e69442ea/US%20Capitol%20REUTERS%20TT%2077.jpg)
This comes as vaccine credentials, often referred to as vaccine passports, are being developed around the world as a way to quickly prove someone’s vaccination status, particularly with private companies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5bbd05ceba36ccdc0d1c7b93d51dfdab/Abbott%20Dallas%20Presser%20CM%20TT%2010.jpg)
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Chris Turner and Carol Alvarado, the chairs of the Democratic Caucuses of the Texas House and Texas Senate, about a challenging year for their party. Full Story