https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/renzo-downey/The latest news by Renzo Downey.enTue, 30 Apr 2024 11:38:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/dade-phelan-nancy-pelosi-deep-fake/A mailer, paid for by the Jeff Yass-bankrolled Club for Growth Action PAC, falsely depicted Phelan in a hug with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.By Renzo DowneyTue, 30 Apr 2024 11:38:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/dade-phelan-nancy-pelosi-deep-fake/House Speaker Dade Phelan stands at the dias during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan stands at the dias during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/texas-government-artificial-intelligence/Agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation are using the technology to react to crashes and prepare invoices. More uses and regulations are coming.By Renzo DowneyTue, 26 Mar 2024 13:38:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/texas-government-artificial-intelligence/Rush hour traffic passes by on Interstate 35 through downtown Austin on the evening of Sept. 7, 2023.Rush hour traffic passes by on Interstate 35 through downtown Austin on the evening of Sept. 7, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/25/brandon-herrera-tony-gonzales-primary-runoff/Gonzales is taking heat from the right for his vote in support of the bipartisan gun safety bill passed after the Uvalde school shooting.By Matthew Choi and Renzo DowneyMon, 25 Mar 2024 17:40:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/25/brandon-herrera-tony-gonzales-primary-runoff/Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the U.S. House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, speaks during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, on March 14, 2024 in San Antonio.Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the US House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, speaks during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, March 14, 2024 in San Antonio.Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/20/greg-abbott-tppf-vouchers-primary-runoff/Abbott called on supporters to push through the primary runoffs to deliver the final pro-voucher members needed to pass his legislation, plus some padding.By Renzo DowneyWed, 20 Mar 2024 15:40:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/20/greg-abbott-tppf-vouchers-primary-runoff/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the opening keynote lunch at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Policy Summit 2024 in Austin on March 20, 2024. Gov. Abbott spoke about border security and cartels, school choice for parents of Texas children and the ban of DEI at Texas universities.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the opening keynote lunch at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Policy Summit 2024 in Austin on March 20, 2024. Gov. Abbott spoke about border security and cartels, school choice for parents of Texas children and the ban of DEI at Texas universities.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/greg-abbott-ken-paxton-texas-house-incumbents-lose/The two state leaders and other prominent Republicans, like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former president Donald Trump, endorsed challengers in dozens of races citing the incumbents’ disloyalty to the party.By Zach Despart and Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Mar 2024 01:27:17 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/greg-abbott-ken-paxton-texas-house-incumbents-lose/The House voting board in the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.The House voting board in the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/brent-money-jill-dutton-texas-house-bryan-slaton/Dutton just won a special election against Money to fill expelled Rep. Bryan Slaton’s unexpired term through the end of the year.By Renzo DowneyTue, 05 Mar 2024 22:46:08 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/brent-money-jill-dutton-texas-house-bryan-slaton/Brent Money won the GOP primary for Texas House District 2.Brent Money is running in a special election for state House District 2 seat, empty since former state Rep. Brian Slaton, R-Royse City, was expelled from the House.Campaign websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-vouchers-primary-special-session/Abbott is promising to continue the fight for “school choice” but staying mum on whether that means he will call another special session as he has previously threatened.By Patrick Svitek and Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Dec 2023 10:05:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-vouchers-primary-special-session/Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on Nov. 10, 2023.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on Nov. 10, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/26/ron-desantis-texas-border-mexico/The Florida governor calls for deputizing local law enforcement to police the border and deport migrants, saying his plan is “more aggressive” than the former president’s proposals.By Patrick Svitek and Renzo DowneyMon, 26 Jun 2023 15:03:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/26/ron-desantis-texas-border-mexico/From left: U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, stands next to Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a campaign stop in Eagle Pass on Monday.From left: U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, stands next to Republican U.S. presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a visit to the border community of Eagle Pass on June 26, 2023.REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Bealhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/ken-paxton-impeachment-managers/Seven Republicans and five Democrats make up the board of managers who will handle the prosecution in the trial. In the Senate, a committee will recommend rules of procedure on June 20.By Patrick Svitek and Renzo DowneyMon, 29 May 2023 16:53:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/ken-paxton-impeachment-managers/State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, delivered the articles of impeachment for Attorney General Ken Paxton to Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw on May 29, 2023.Rep. Andrew Murr delivers the Articles of Impeachment to Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw on May 29, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/abbott-title-42-press-conference-allen/Abbott announced the deployment of new “Texas Tactical Border Force” units to El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley on Monday and Tuesday.By Renzo DowneyMon, 08 May 2023 11:15:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/abbott-title-42-press-conference-allen/Gov. Greg Abbott greets Texas Army National Guard troops deploying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday to secure the Texas-Mexico border in anticipation of the end of Title 42 later this week.Gov. Greg Abbott greets Texas Army National Guard troops deploying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday May 8, 2023, to secure the Texas-Mexico border in anticipation of the end of Title 42 later this week.Jay Janner/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK via REUTERShttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/texas-legislature-bryan-slaton-investigation/The House General Investigating Committee found that Slaton, a Republican from Royse City, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate. The Texas Tribune previously reported on an allegation that he had sex with one of his staff, a woman under 21, and gave her alcohol.By Zach Despart and Renzo DowneySat, 06 May 2023 10:02:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/texas-legislature-bryan-slaton-investigation/State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, sits at his desk in the House chamber on May 5, 2023.State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royce City, sits at his desk in the House Chamber on May 5, 2023. Slaton is under House investigation for alleged liaisons with a Capitol staffer.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/14/bryan-slaton-texas-legislature-intern-investigation/The new details about the allegation stem from the complaint filed against Slaton to the House General Investigating Committee.By Renzo DowneyFri, 14 Apr 2023 20:14:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/14/bryan-slaton-texas-legislature-intern-investigation/State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, waits to speak from the back podium on the House floor on Aug. 9, 2021.State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, waits to speak from the back podium on the House floor on Monday, August 9, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/21/texas-gov-greg-abbott-school-choice-esa/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has embraced Senate Bill 8, which will get its first committee hearing Wednesday. But House Speaker Dade Phelan hasn’t made school choice legislation a priority.By Renzo DowneyTue, 21 Mar 2023 15:27:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/21/texas-gov-greg-abbott-school-choice-esa/Gov. Greg Abbott high-fives a young supporter Tuesday after delivering a speech at a Parent Empowerment Day event at the Capitol.Gov. Greg Abbott high fives a young supporter after delivering a speech at a Parent Empowerment Day event at the Capitol on March 21, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune