Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, gets Texas Senate OK
The slate of bills must still go to the House for approval. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/060aa40ba7e1d64c063fc39545b31547/Womens%20Health%20SS%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![A women’s health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' natural gas and power generators would have to prepare for extreme temperatures under bill Senate committee approved
The wide-ranging proposal includes a number of reforms that have been floating around the state Capitol since last month’s deadly winter storm left millions without electricity during freezing temperatures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27f2bc4893b9f60afd194c1f224460d6/RBJ%20Center%20Storm%20MM%20TT%2022.jpg)
![Executive director and Vice President of DMA Properties Sergio Amaya clears the walkways outside of the Rebekah Baines Johnson Center in Austin on Feb. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
After House stalls on readjusting electricity prices, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges Gov. Greg Abbott to use emergency powers
“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed9aff80a964b9c7b924d6d173ac2d41/Dan%20Patrick%20House%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gave remarks at the State Capitol during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Why would Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick run a race he’s already won?
Speculation that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick might want to be governor someday underestimates his current advantages over the current occupant of that office, Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cd63f25df131349dc921afb1f4504ee5/Dan%20Patrick%20TT%20EG%2010.jpg)
![Lt. Governor Dan Patrick greeted invited guests and family at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ahead of President Trump's arrival to Austin on Nov. 20, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas leaders’ closely watched breakfast club
One way to check the political mood when the Texas Legislature is meeting is to watch the state's top three leaders — and how their Wednesday breakfasts are going. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3f7c6a0e37ee3f6afa885d8f0a48d358/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks to the House of Representatives during opening ceremonies as the 2021 legislative session begins. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Electricity repricing bill hits wall in House, marking first major schism with Senate this session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House "stood for big business" after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/40dc468edd28f8c5018a4a79722c29c5/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Drone%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![An eastern aerial view of Austin after a severe snowstorm dumped heavy snow and plummeted temperatures. Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate scrambles to advance bill that would force ERCOT to reprice energy charges from winter storm
Senate Bill 2142, sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, had not even been filed when the day started Monday, but lawmakers suspended their rules to hastily push it through the Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e985d29598271fb2ccf1b23a3e6e2b8/Senate%20March%20JV%20TT%2028.jpg)
![The Senate floor on March 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Dan Patrick’s interrogation about a freeze warms speculation about 2022
An unusual appearance by the lieutenant governor at a Senate hearing looked like a tough session for one of Gov. Greg Abbott's appointees — and raised speculation about political tension between the state's top two elected officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a89a16362beff6d2b1298fdf50216e3/Dan%20Patrick%20MG%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
One year ago, the first Texan was killed by COVID-19. 47,000 deaths followed — and it’s not over.
This timeline tracks COVID-19’s rampage through Texas over the last year: the growing death toll, the policy decisions made in response to the pandemic that often influenced its course, and the stories of some of the Texans claimed by the virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32f01f56b68d5f3319472e7c42803b20/share-art-one-year-covid.jpg)
![Illustration showing flowers and the number of Texans who died in the first year of the pandemic — 47,000.]()
-
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick focuses scorn on Public Utility Commission after winter storm, testing Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has previously directed much of the blame for the storm’s power outages on the state’s electrical grid operator. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d42b8b7499841139561ee6abd6f6d9b7/ATX%20Snow%20Storm%20MG%20TT%2014.jpg)
![An eastbound view of East Stassney Lane in South Austin on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Masks won't be required at state Capitol — but lawmakers face stricter rules in House, Senate chambers
The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83ac09d8d8bf475a2d12b66d36be200e/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A sign states that face masks are required to enter the House gallery at the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Proposal in Texas House would give special committee oversight of governor's pandemic orders
The provision is expected to be added to a bill addressing the governor's pandemic powers that has been denoted as a priority by House Speaker Dade Phelan, according to a draft obtained by The Texas Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4396cd0e615d1e543f4f3bfc566fedae/Abbott%20presser%20Corpus%20REUTERS%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott puts on his mask during his press conference after talking to local and county officials about the damage done by Hurricane Hanna in Nueces and Kleberg counties on July 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times via REUTERS -
Legislation backed by casino giant would allow casinos, sports gambling in Texas
Las Vegas Sands is pushing to create the opportunity for casinos at "destination resorts" in the state's four largest metropolitan areas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9aa084590318cd30a055164755226bdf/Casino%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Gene Koonce plays on a craps table fitted with protective plexiglass panels during the reopening of Bellagio hotel-casino, closed since March because of COVID-19. Las Vegas, Nevada on June 4, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Steve Marcus -
Debate ramps up at Texas Legislature over governor’s emergency powers during pandemic
Gov. Greg Abbott is well aware that some lawmakers, particularly in his own party, are interested in reining in his authority. However, it remains to be seen how much power Abbott is willing to relinquish. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/10431e242ec99e9ea1120ce2807fbd50/El%20Paso%20COVID-19%20Testing%20JAJ%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Recreation Center in El Paso on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for resignations at Public Utility Commission, power grid operator over winter storm
Patrick's statements come after the officials testified for hours late last week in committee hearings as state lawmakers grilled them over the power grid failures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aef557b9a2469d4c20b111c00caa0511/Senate%20Floor%20Dan%20Patrick%20MG%20TT%2010.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dias in the Senate chamber on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters like Biden’s COVID-19 response better than his overall performance, UT/TT Poll finds
Texas voters give President Joe Biden good marks on COVID-19 response, but they're split on his overall job performance, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3966241820de010a5085a084b0e8d80a/UT%20TT%20Biden%20Assesment.jpg)
![President-elect Joe Biden during a briefing where he delivered remarks on the United States' response to the COVID-19 outbreak, at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 29, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst -
Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history
Lawmakers and analysts say it is too soon for an exact estimate, but the financial damage from the storm has left state lawmakers scrambling to account for the storm in the middle of the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3ed3f50e4b6f8086c7998e8a094145f6/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20Feb%2016%20TT%2032.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol during the winter storm on Feb. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick announces 2021 priorities focused on pandemic, power grid and socially conservative issues
In addition to bills responding to COVID-19 and the recent winter storm, Patrick is calling for legislation related to abortion, gun rights and the national anthem at sporting events. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9862488a12192cfea6fc5fc3f4c25586/Senate%20Floor%20Dan%20Patrick%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Senate chamber at the Capitol on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says power is almost fully restored statewide and grocery stores will soon be restocked
Abbott said power should be fully restored across the state Sunday night or Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/399c0fb207f3a2c7dd3cb86c062a17ec/HTX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2019%20MYL%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Volunteer Catherine Tuppen helps with the water and beverage station at Kelly Village, a supply distribution site, on Feb. 19, 2021, in Houston.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for The Texas Tribune -
Texas officials block electricity providers from sending bills, disconnecting utilities for nonpayment
Texans are reporting receiving exorbitant electric bills despite not having power during the storm. One Texan, according to The New York Times, received a $16,752 electric bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c73061658e60a0b9e21d40135ce397aa/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2039.jpg)
![Snow surrounds an Austin Energy station in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune