After failing last session, lawmakers finalized a bill — described as a “delicate compromise” — that provides new protections for landowners in negotiating with companies attempting to seize their land through eminent domain.
Transportation
Reporting on roads, transit, infrastructure, and policy shaping travel and mobility across the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House bill could shield companies from liability after commercial vehicle crashes
HB 19’s sponsors say the bill will prevent excessive lawsuits against companies, but road safety advocates say the bill would make Texas roads more dangerous and prevent victims of crashes from receiving justice.
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Point of Order
Point of Order: King of the road
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.
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Economy
President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion jobs and climate change plan would improve internet access, upgrade power grids and make road improvements
The proposal would be paid for, in part, by raising the corporate tax rate and global minimum tax. It calls for improving roads, increasing public transit spending and preparing for hurricanes, among other things.
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Winter Storm 2021
“One thing after another”: Rural Texans faced the same storm — with unique hardships
Last week’s winter storm was brutal for the whole state, but rural Texans faced particular hardships, like distance from helpful neighbors. And newborn calves.
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Winter Storm 2021
How to help and get help in Texas as the winter storm causes power outages
Local organizations are providing warming shelters and resources, while nonprofits are asking for donations and volunteers.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Eight months into the pandemic, this women’s health clinic in rural Texas struggles to meet demand for care
At a housing unit turned health clinic in rural Brown County, the director of a family planning clinic laughs at the idea of offering tele-health visits to limit the virus’ spread: “Where we are, that is just not an option for us.”
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Environment
As Texas grows, communities face an unwelcome neighbor: concrete companies. Homeowners have few options.
Concrete companies say they’re just following the law. A handful of bills addressing the issue have been filed for the 2021 legislative session.
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Coronavirus in Texas
COVID-19 vaccines may be coming soon, but most Texans won’t get them for months. Here’s why.
Officials are preparing for the massive undertaking of distributing a vaccine that may require multiple doses and subzero storage temperatures across a state that covers 270,000 square miles and some 170 rural counties.