The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
"I will never ask a Texan to do something I'm not willing to do myself," Abbott said moments before getting vaccinated at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3866de78fbf6325c9f2c1a0a0bf411a0/Abbott%20COVID%20Vaccine%20RBB%20POOL%20TT%2046425.jpg)
We surveyed some of The Texas Tribune’s reporters and editors about what they’d be watching come Jan. 12, when state lawmakers are scheduled to gavel in the new session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc4a4b0deda3a3ff386de8ab0d7002c7/Capitol%20File%20AI%20TT%2007.jpg)
Photojournalists captured the unforgettable images that defined an epic year in Texas as people grappled with the pandemic, protested police brutality and made their voices heard at the polls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e1bd409fa83c9758825eabb743b763a/Juneteenth%20Emancipation%20Park%20PYH%20TT%20249.jpg)
We've selected some columns from 2020 on the recession and the budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/15efcc60d423642a3d4160939a4248e1/ATX%20Covid%20May%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
A newly appointed U.S. attorney announced a new joint law enforcement operation in Austin, blaming the city's crime on its police budget cuts. But homicides and aggravated assaults began rising in many major cities before budget discussions in the state's capital. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c1411536747f7c42a085c94822292659/Police%20File%20Austin%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
President Donald Trump is a master of changing subjects, benefiting from our collective tendency to forget about what happened a year ago, or a week ago, or yesterday. Ambitious politicians lower on the food chain have been taking notes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/85d547f2865e067a36a93faddfd422f9/Paxton%20Abbott%20Lege%20BD%20TT.jpg)
For months, Gov. Greg Abbott and the 2019 Texas Inaugural Committee fought to avoid disclosing how they spent a record-setting $5.3 million. The Texas Tribune sued and obtained the documents in an out-of-court settlement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39b44c967e5d30731e1d93254869bbe7/04_Greg_Abbott_Oath_of_Office_Ceremony_MG.jpg)
Remaking the state’s political maps — redistricting — is important. One way to tell is that the lawmakers making the maps do their dead-level best to avoid saying anything that might signal their intent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/311cb7d5c4ced880216604fb0c07ac4e/01_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
The House will limit attendance for what is typically a crowded day at the Capitol when family and friends attend the opening ceremonies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b9ca602b19e86ff2e2ac82b2fc6193/State%20Capitol%20JF%20TT%2001.jpg)
Four former aides sued the agency last month, claiming they were wrongfully terminated after they told law enforcement they believed their boss, Ken Paxton, had broken the law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/88b280f4ec705b6ed3d5401e0b0c3c2a/Ken%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2006.jpg)
Casinos are making a serious run at Texas lawmakers, hoping to open up to five gaming destinations in a state that has resisted them for years. But gaming in Texas hasn’t been expanded in almost three decades. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfd343c2bbc82245c4e7cd21d4885c7b/Casino%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The lawsuit challenged election results in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. The high court said Texas did not have standing to bring the case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83ab40d4b03ab90c4e6a7f70a3740b08/US_Supreme_Court_Sunset)
The virus has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 U.S. health care workers; others could face lasting mental scars. It’s “the time when we’re needed most,” one doctor said, “and we’re burned out.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bb0910b3ba7fc09db92aa170ba6dc5b3/Amy%20Jones%20Fitz%20COVID%20ER%20JR%20TT%2081.jpg)
The long-shot lawsuit may be Trump’s last chance to contest the election. For Paxton, it’s helping resuscitate a political career in peril. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ddfa2652bda704861408f26b2f6a1416/AG%20Ken%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2005.jpg)
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz; Texas GOP Chairman Allen West; U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston; and former presidential candidate Julián Castro have all traveled to the state — or plan to soon — to campaign in the Jan. 5 runoffs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4493f630a9638a9283f4c09991a2fb0/Georgia%20Senate%20Debate%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Although normally ineligible, gig workers and independent contractors qualified for unemployment aid during the pandemic. The assistance is set to expire at the end of December. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67f77804a5092dae1c81a7af02777b0c/San%20Marcos%20COVID%20File%20Barbershop%20EG%2001.jpg)
The attorney general’s challenge to the election results in four other states baffles many lawyers, but President Donald Trump likes it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/55977d7479f0cd5755d832414e7309cc/Ken%20Paxton%20Trump%20Patrick%20REUTERS%20TT.JPG)
Donald Trump's legal team filed to intervene in the Texas lawsuit contesting the election results on Wednesday. The president reportedly asked U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz if he would argue the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, if it agrees to hear it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/29649d210ff90092518e94d795d53e7b/Trump%20Warp%20Speed%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The lieutenant governor said Wednesday he wants the Senate to decrease the threshold required to bring legislation to the floor to 18 members, which would allow the GOP to continue sidelining Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58c887b31c92b257ed35af51de3ef760/Patrick%20Confederate%20Monuments%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
It might seem that closing tax loopholes and ending exemptions would be an easy way to balance a state budget during a pandemic. It's not. In fact, that might be the hardest option available. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc5f100b96b207f7a0fc2927e8a1a253/House%20Floor%20MKC%20TT.jpg)