Federal judges found more problems in Texas’ voting rights laws, ruling that Republicans racially gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities, who former President Barack Obama set out to protect at the ballot box before leaving office. The ruling late Friday by a three-judge panel in San Antonio gave Democrats hope of new, more favorably drawn maps that could turn over more seats in Congress in 2018.
Category: Texas Government
Federal judges find Texas gerrymandered maps on racial lines
Federal judges found more problems in Texas’ voting rights laws, ruling that Republicans racially gerrymandered some congressional districts to weaken the growing electoral power of minorities, who former President Barack Obama set out to protect at the ballot box before leaving office. The ruling late Friday by a three-judge panel in San Antonio gave Democrats hope of new, more favorably drawn maps that could turn over more seats in Congress in 2018.
Ted Cruz sends school choice letter to every Republican in Texas Legislature
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sent a letter to state lawmakers Thursday urging them to make Texas the next state that gives parents taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or religious schools, or educate them at home.
With Trump on board, Texas puts high-speed rail on the fast track
An $18 billion high-speed rail system, built by a Japanese company, could transform transportation in the Lone Star State. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to a supporter as stage lights color the dance floor after a rally in the South Side Ballroom at Gilley’s in Dallas, June 16, 2016.
Two unsatisfying articles about the 2016 Democratic sweep in Harris County
The Democratic sweep in Harris County has drawn some national attention, as writers from the left and right try to analyze what happened here last year and why Hillary Clinton carried the county by such a large margin. Unfortunately, as is often the case with stories about Texas by people not from Texas, the results are not quite recognizable to those of us who are here.
Democrats may call on business community in anti-“sanctuary” bill fight
As Texas Democrats strategize how to continue pushing back against state-based immigration proposals, they’re considering a tactic often embraced by some far-right members of the Republican Party to assist their efforts. “I would just say that all options are on the table to expose the hypocrisy of only focusing on immigrants and not on Texas businesses that rely heavily on them,” state Rep. Rafael Anchia , D-Dallas, told the Tribune.
COMMENTARY: Texas border security spending not necessary
It is well established that the U.S. federal government is primarily responsible for defending our national borders, enforcing immigration laws, and fighting the Mexican drug cartels. Nevertheless, in 2015, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature approved $800 million for the Texas Department of Public Safety for “border security,” thus creating what many have characterized as the militarization of the Rio Grande Valley.
Senate confirms Carson, Perry for housing, energy posts
Two of President Donald Trump’s former rivals for the GOP White House nomination won Senate confirmation Thursday to join his administration. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development on a vote of 58-41.
EU calls on Canada to defend Paris climate accord against global ‘uncertainties’
The European Union’s environment commissioner is making a noisy pitch about joining forces with Canada to fight to preserve the Paris climate change accord in the face of “geopolitical uncertainties.” EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but his statement Thursday prior to his arrival in Ottawa seemed squarely aimed at the U.S. president.
GOP lawmaker invokes Gabby Giffords in concerns about town hall safety
A Texas Republican lawmaker invoked the shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords to explain why he is not hosting in-person town halls. “Unfortunately, at this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety.
With Trump on their side, Abbott and Cruz hopeful for term limits on Congress
As President Donald Trump casts his election victory as a rebuke against career politicians, the idea of imposing term limits on Congress has drawn renewed attention. Two Texas Republican leaders are pushing different approaches on how to get there.
With public letter, Texan becomes first openly transgender mayor in the state
On Tuesday, the mayor of a small Texas town became one of the state’s first openly transgender public officials. Jess Herbst, formerly known as Jeff, has served in the local government of New Hope, a small town near McKinney, since 2003; she become mayor in May of 2016 when her predecessor passed away, and fellow council members unanimously appointed her to the role.
What to watch: Border wall windfall? Abbott and ‘Muslim Day’
Donald Trump has formally ordered up his border wall built and it could cost the federal government as much as $30 billion. Top Republicans in the Texas Legislature have for months speculated that walling off the U.S.-Mexico border could save the state money on having to use its own law enforcement personnel to help secure the area.
Ap Fact Check: Trump Cites Man’s Dubious Voter Fraud Claims
President Donald Trump has pressed his widely debunked claims of massive voter fraud by encouraging the work of a Texas man who has offered no evidence to support his claim that millions of people illegally voted in the 2016 election. Trump tweeted on Friday: “Look forward to seeing the final results of VoteStand.
3 proposed bills may affect estate planning in Texas
Budget: With a revenue shortfall predicted to top $4 billion, the new state budget will have to go on a diet, even as Abbott and legislative leaders hope that President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to bolster federal border-security initiatives and curb skyrocketing health care costs could save the state billions. Less money will affect passage of proposals with big price tags, including franchise tax reductions and tuition reforms, they agree.
Trump acts to advance Keystone XL, Dakota Access pipelines
President Donald Trump shows off his signature on an executive order about the Dakota Access pipeline, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. President Donald Trump shows off his signature on an executive order about the Dakota Access pipeline, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Thursday’s Trump Cabinet confirmations: What to watch
Donald Trump’s Cabinet confirmation hearings continue Thursday, just one day before the President-elect is set to take the oath of office. Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, is scheduled to face the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET, according to the committee’s website.
Politico: Cruz Swatted Down Supreme Court Nomination
Ted Cruz and Donald Trump appear to have moved past their contentious campaign, but the Texas senator does not want to become the president-elect’s new Supreme Court nominee. After Cruz spoke with Trump a week after Election Day, he and his chief of staff, David Polyansky, met with Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon and rejected the potential nomination, reports Politico, and has been emerging as one of Trump’s key allies in the Senate instead.
Welcome Back: Tight budget, bathroom bill await Legislature
When the Texas Legislature last convened on June 1, 2015, Donald Trump was still two weeks from announcing his White House run. The former Bruce Jenner was gracing the latest cover of Vanity Fair to reintroduce herself to the world as Caitlyn.
Ted Cruz: I dona t see a GOP primary …
Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday that as it stands now, he doesn’t see anyone who is likely to mount a GOP primary challenge against him in his 2018 bid for re-election but that he’s taking nothing for granted. “At this point, I don’t see anyone that is likely to run, but I am going to assume that the threat is serious and prepare accordingly,” Mr. Cruz told radio host Hugh Hewitt.
Rick Perry’s Texas giveaways: There’s something fishy about…
Donald Trump’s selection of Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy has prompted many Democrats to question Perry’s qualifications for the position. While he governed a state rich in fossil fuels and wind energy, Perry has far less experience than President Obama’s two energy secretaries, both physicists, in the department’s primary work, such as tending the nuclear-weapons stockpile, handling nuclear waste and carrying out advanced scientific research.
Charade: Over.
Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to sign a bill if it passes through the Texas Legislature next session. The bills come after two faithless electors in this month’s Electoral College vote in the Texas State Capitol refused to vote for the state’s winner.
Four Cabinet spots still open in the Trump administration
Trump has picked most of his top Cabinet nominees already. But outside groups are getting restless as they wait to see who will lead the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, as well as the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and the Council of Economic Advisers.
Slideshow: 2016 Texas news in photos
Daniil Eliseev, 19, from Dallas holds a flag reading “Pro Choice Texan” in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt is argued inside on March 2, 2016.
GOP again eyes ban on sanctuary cities due to political tide
Texas Republicans have spent years trying to crack down on illegal immigration across the southern border with Mexico. Emboldened by the election of Donald Trump, however, the time may finally be right for the GOP to mobilize an assault on loosely defined “sanctuary cities,” especially with two large counties eyeing such policies.