Latest Contributions

• Gov. Greg Abbott wanted state lawmakers to ban mask mandates in public schools. They didn’t.

  By Joshua Fechter Sept. 7, 2021

  As Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to punish any school district that defied Abbott’s ban on mask mandates, Republican legislators were largely indifferent on the matter. Full Story 

• The nationwide ban on evictions is over. Here’s what Texas renters need to know.

  By Joshua Fechter Sept. 2, 2021

  There’s $1 billion in rental assistance available to struggling Texas tenants. But for many renters, getting the help they need depends on where they live. Full Story 

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott can’t enforce mask mandate ban, he argues in court

  By Joshua Fechter Aug. 27, 2021

  Abbott says local district attorneys have the authority to enforce his ban on local mask mandates. But urban DAs are unlikely to go after their fellow local officials. Full Story 

• Full FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine opens door for vaccine mandates in Texas

  By Joshua Fechter and Patrick Svitek Updated: Aug. 23, 2021

  With the U.S. Food and Drug administration’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, Texas is in uncharted territory when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court temporarily allows school mask mandates to remain

  By Erin Douglas and Joshua Fechter Aug. 19, 2021

  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott wanted the high court to disallow mask mandates in Texas school districts. Justices dismissed their request on a technicality, without issuing a ruling on their legal arguments. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court says House Democrats can be arrested and brought to the Capitol, siding with Republicans trying to secure a quorum

  By Joshua Fechter Aug. 17, 2021

  In a bid to block a voting restrictions bill, House Democrats for weeks have denied the lower chamber the number of present members needed to pass legislation. House Speaker Dade Phelan has already signed dozens of civil arrest warrants. Full Story 

• Confusion reigns in Texas as legal fight over mask mandates rages between local officials and Gov. Greg Abbott

  By Joshua Fechter and Brian Lopez Aug. 16, 2021

  Back-and-forth legal rulings have left some school districts with the choice of flouting Abbott and mandating masks — or waiting for the dust to settle. Full Story 

• “The rebellion is spreading”: After local Texas officials defy his ban on mask mandates, Gov. Greg Abbott begins to clamp down

  By Joshua Fechter and Patrick Svitek Aug. 11, 2021

  In the face of skyrocketing hospitalizations, the heads of cities, counties and school districts have grown desperate for ways to contain the virus. Full Story 

• “I am frightened by what is coming”: Texas hospitals could soon be overwhelmed by COVID-19 caseload, officials say

  By Joshua Fechter Aug. 10, 2021

  The number of COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals is rising too fast for hospitals to keep up with, hospital leaders told state lawmakers Tuesday. Full Story 

• Dallas County, Bexar County officials fight Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates in court

  By Joshua Fechter and Isabella Zou Updated: Aug. 10, 2021

  The local officials are asking for courts to rule that Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates is unenforceable. Full Story