Texas tax breaks help in disasters — just not public health disasters
Property tax exemptions and sales tax holidays only offer savings for events like hurricanes or floods. Full Story
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![A man walks through floodwaters after surveying his property in Rockport, which was hit by Hurricane Harvey, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.]()
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Federal appeals court allows medication abortions in Texas during coronavirus pandemic
The appeals court's latest ruling comes after abortion providers and state officials have battled over what access to the procedure should be allowed during the public health crisis. Full Story
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![A women's health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Limited seating and pajama bottoms: How Texas churches are preparing for a socially distant Easter
Gov. Greg Abbott has given his blessing for churches to hold services during the pandemic. Some are gathering their flocks for Easter. Others are sticking with livestreamed services. Full Story
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![The Glorious Way Church]()
Credit: Courtesy Glorious Way Church in Houston -
Texas banned abortion during the pandemic, but she got one anyway. How the legal battle is creating confusion for clinics
The courts volleyed back and forth this week, siding in turns with the state and then with abortion providers. But clinics across the state are responding inconsistently, with some shutting down altogether while they await a final answer. Full Story
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![A Planned Parenthood examination room in Austin on Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Houston-area lawmakers urge DA to investigate possible "non-existent" March primary candidate
“We are concerned that more than 2500 Harris County voters may have been duped," the Democratic lawmakers wrote. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Citing social responsibility, many churches and businesses deemed essential are closing anyway
“This is the only way to be sure that we’re not making everybody sicker,” said one restaurant general manager. “We wanted to be able to be an example.” Full Story
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![Memorial Church of Christ in Houston.]()
Credit: Screenshot via Memorial Church of Christ -
Texas can enforce abortion ban during coronavirus pandemic, federal appeals court rules
Republican state officials have said barring the procedure in almost all cases is essential for preserving hospital resources during the pandemic. Abortion providers call it political opportunism — and unconstitutional. Full Story
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![A Planned Parenthood examination room in Austin on Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats again sue to ease vote-by-mail rules during coronavirus pandemic
The Texas Democratic Party is asking both federal and state courts to rule on whether any voter in upcoming elections should be able to ask for an absentee ballot to mail in and avoid possible infection at polling places. Full Story
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![Mail-in ballot envelopes at the Travis County Elections division headquarters.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce for The Texas Tribune -
Health care workers on the front lines of coronavirus don't get expanded paid sick leave protections
The Labor Department has urged employers to “be judicious” in exempting their workers. Critics say the exemption hurts nurses and doctors, who have already complained about their lack of protective equipment. Full Story
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![Licensed vocational nurse Ahmad Nejat looks over as he meets with the COVID-19 testing team at the Austin Regional Center testing site in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Candidate jolts battleground congressional race with ad blasting China for coronavirus
The ad from Republican Kathaleen Wall says China "poisoned our people" with the coronavirus. The Democratic nominee for the seat, Sri Preston Kulkarni, denounced it as "race-baiting." Full Story
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![Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni and Republican Kathaleen Wall are vying for U.S. House Texas District 22. Kulkarni is the Democratic nominee; Wall is in a runoff with Republican Troy Nehls.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas 4/2: More than a quarter million Texans file for unemployment relief in one week
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![The streets of downtown Houston during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Local governments, already hard hit by the coronavirus, are facing a fresh budget threat: economic recession
Cities are projecting decreases in sales tax revenue, one of their most important financial sources. How bad the losses are — and what will have to be cut — depends on how long the pandemic lasts. Full Story
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![An empty Sixth Street during rush hour in downtown Austin. The city’s streets were mostly empty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in Texas. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The politics of coronavirus in Texas
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Ross, Emma and Jolie about Gov. Greg Abbott's response to the coronavirus outbreak, the newest front in the state's fight against abortion and the state vs. local battle over bail. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is briefed by government officials about the state’s preparedness in addressing a potential outbreak of COVID-19 in the state. Feb 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 4/1: El Paso strengthens stay-at-home order
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A hand written signs alerts costumers that Jake’s Texas Tea House is closed indefinitely in Waco. March 25, 2020.]()
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As local officials shrink jail populations due to coronavirus, Abbott blocks release of some inmates who can’t pay bail
Abbott's order bans release without paying bail for inmates who are accused of or have been convicted in the past of violent offenses. Defendants with cash could still walk free. Full Story
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Many Texans in Congress scrambled to join vote as U.S. House passes coronavirus spending bill
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law. Full Story
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![House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters while walking to the House Chamber floor, ahead of a vote on a coronavirus relief bill on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 27, 2020.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas 3/27: U.S. House approves coronavirus spending bill
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Starbucks' South Shore location in Austin is only open for grab-and-go operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people at a time. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Caught between local officials and Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott carefully navigates coronavirus
Abbott’s approach has helped keep the peace across levels of government handling the response in Texas but has also raised questions about whether he’s being aggressive enough in responding to a virus that threatens thousands of lives. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump receives a briefing on Tropical Storm Harvey relief efforts with Gov. Greg Abbott in Corpus Christi on August 29, 2017.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas 3/26: U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher moves to self-quarantine
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A spray painted sign at Practice Yoga Austin in East Austin refers to the recent coronavirus outbreak that has impacted the city. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas hospitals brace for coronavirus surge with uncertain stocks of protective gear
“’I will give you X number, you are to make these last for however long,’” a Panhandle hospital executive told one of his clinics when it sought more respirators. “We’ve got to ration these resources.” Full Story
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![Austinites drop off medical personal protective equipment into bins outside Bicycle Sport Shop. Once full, employees will donate the equipment to local hospitals to help fight a shortage of personal protective equipment in Austin. March 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
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