Latest News
Absent Texas Democrats still collect per diem during special sessions at the cost of Texas taxpayers
By Alexus Barnhart | Aug 19, 2021
In July, 61 Texas House Democrats left Texas for Washington, D.C. to avoid voting on a reform bill. As they remain absent, representatives are still being paid their per diem.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors Will Meet Aug. 26
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 19, 2021
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors Will Meet at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26.
Honest Elections Project's Snead: U.S. House will 'weaponize progressive litigation machine' under guise of fighting voter discrimination
By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 18, 2021
House Democrats said they will vote next week on legislation that would require certain states to preclear changes to their voting laws with federal authorities.
'It shows the legislative process works': TPPF applauds work of Texas Senate on election legislation
By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 18, 2021
The Texas Senate’s approval of sweeping election legislation last week was a civics lesson for House Democrats who a month earlier fled the state to prevent the measures from making it to the governor, said Chad Ennis, senior fellow for the Election Protection Project at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.
McCaul refers to crisis in Afghanistan as 'a stain' on Biden's presidency
By Cara Clark | Aug 18, 2021
Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, who leads Republicans on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, posted a scathing tweet on President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
Former UT Regent Wallace Hall to match Crime Stopper reward for arrest of missing state lawmakers
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 16, 2021
Former University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall intends to match the reward offered by the Texas Government Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of State Representatives who are missing from the House Chamber.
Crime Stopper Organization offers $2,500 reward for whereabouts of missing Democratic lawmakers
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 13, 2021
The Texas-based office of Government Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of lawmakers who have fled the state House chamber.
Austin implements policies to bring back families of color, reverse historical 'displacement caused by the city and other government entities'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 13, 2021
The City of Austin is trying to bring black and brown families back to the East Austin area in an effort to slow gentrification in the region.
State ponders overhaul of the electric grid, hopes to 'reallocate payments to most reliable source of power'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 13, 2021
The February winter storm that exposed weaknesses in the state’s electrical grid, leaving much of the state’s residents to deal with subzero temperatures without electricity, could soon be overhauled.
New poll shows more than 80% Americans 'worried' about China's influence
By Christina Heath | Aug 6, 2021
A new poll by the Convention of States Action, with The Trafalgar Group in partnership, shows in surveys done July 12 and July 13 of over 1,000 likely 2022 election voters, that 81% of Americans are concerned about the influence of China in the U.S.
Texas, Connecticut's voting laws share common ground despite one being called an 'assault on democracy'
By Karla Florez | Aug 5, 2021
Texas has fallen under scrutiny after being accused of practicing voter suppression, but similar voting laws in Connecticut indicate the commonality in state guidelines across the country.
'This is a post-pandemic recovery': McCaul criticizes new CDC advisory to wear masks again
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 1, 2021
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin) has criticized the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Austin’s ICRC wants to ‘impact city government’ by seeking community input on redistricting maps
By Tamara Browning | Aug 1, 2021
Austin’s Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission invites community input in redrawing the 10 city council districts as the summer schedule of public forums continues.
Patrick forms committee ‘to study the athletic and economic impact’ of UT’s exit from Big 12
By Tamara Browning | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s formation of a committee studying college sports’ future in Texas after The University of Texas at Austin announced plans to leave the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference apparently is visionary.
Abbott plans to 'keep calling special sessions' until every emergency item is addressed
By Valerie Bonk | Aug 1, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott said he vows to call special sessions after Texas Democratic lawmakers fled to Washington, D.C. to stop a vote on an election security bill.
Seliger files bill to end Abbott's line-item veto authority, says Abbott's decision to withhold legislative funding 'punishes regular hard-working folks'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 1, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott has made good on his threat to withhold legislative funding in response to the second Democratic walkout on election security legislation.
'A remarkable Texan': Abbott mourns loss of ZZ Top rocker Dusty Hill
By John Sammon | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said the passing of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, a Texas resident, was a great loss to the state and the music world, while bandmates and fans eulogized him as a unique artist.
Abbott: Texas economy 'booming' as employment figures increase
By John Sammon | Aug 1, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said the state’s employment picture is looking better after the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released figures showing the addition of 55,800 jobs over the month of June.
'Make your voice heard': Austin to hold virtual meeting on bike trail project for underrepresented communities
By Art Benavidez | Aug 1, 2021
The City of Austin will host a public virtual meeting on the ATX Walk Bike Roll project on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.
Majority of Americans oppose potential vaccine mandates as a result of a 'stream of propaganda from the press,' survey finds
By Karla Florez | Jul 29, 2021
A recently conducted Trafalgar Group survey revealed that the majority of American residents would prefer if the COVID-19 vaccine remained optional, while others support proposed vaccine mandates.