It’s unclear whether Texas will expand who is eligible for a mail-in ballot during the pandemic, as other states have. But the people who normally qualify to vote by mail can still do so in July.
Politics
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott instructs state agencies to trim budgets by 5% to prepare for “economic shock”
Some state agencies are exempt from the cuts, including the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Public Safety.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus throws Texas Supreme Court justices into the spotlight — and into Democrats’ crosshairs
In a year when four justices face reelection, the all-Republican high court has made a slate of controversy-generating decisions, including lifting a moratorium on evictions and — for now — limiting voting by mail in this year’s elections.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt says Abbott’s actions to reopen Texas are divisive, scary and confusing
Abbott’s recent decisions to reopen the economy despite rising infection rates signal that something has “spooked” the governor, Eckhardt said at a Tribune event.
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Politics
Senate committee advances nomination of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for director of national intelligence
The Texas representative’s nomination will go to the full Senate after receiving approval from the Senate Intelligence Committee.
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Coronavirus in Texas
How a Dallas salon owner changed Texas’ reopening debate
After Shelley Luther was jailed for opening her salon in blatant defiance of emergency orders, top Texas Republicans in all three branches of government scrambled to ensure her release.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: The path to emergency powers in Texas might run through the courts
State and local governments are at odds over what should and should not be allowed during a pandemic — a debate over health, economics and civil liberties. The old sparring partners have increasingly appealed to a referee: the courts.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus in Texas: State reports largest daily increases in cases and deaths
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott is limiting enforcement of COVID-19 orders, but many cities already took a lax approach
Texas cities and counties have dramatically different interpretations of the state’s COVID-19 emergency orders. Complaint data from a dozen cities shows that disparate approaches to enforcement, particularly among businesses, have been incredibly common.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas appeals court allows expansion of voting by mail during ongoing legal fight
The appeals court ruled against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who argued that a lower court ruling expanding who can qualify for an absentee ballot during the coronavirus pandemic should have no effect while he appeals it.