Texas lawmakers supported a statewide vaccine mandate a decade ago. Now they're resisting one for COVID-19.
Ten years ago, the state led in requiring meningitis vaccines for students under 22 enrolling in college. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, lawmakers are more skeptical of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointee to a river authority steps down after contentious confirmation hearing over inflammatory tweets
Greg Abbott's office, after a rocky confirmation hearing Monday at the Texas Capitol. AdToward the end of the questioning, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, asked Yancy if he had "any regrets with regard to your public discourse." He is not unknown in Texas politics โ he ran for Texas Senate in 2010. AdNext up was Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, who asked Yancy about the anti-Reid tweet. Gutierrez asked Yancy if it was fair to say he "misspoke [or] overreached" with the tweet.
โIf weโre all sick, we canโt legislateโ: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
โThereโs not a good answer for this, thatโs the problem,โ Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, told The Texas Tribune last week. โI think theyโre doing the best that we can given the situation there,โ King said of the House rules. She said the House rules were inadequate and that she would like to see โstronger social distancingโ and more plexiglass dividing people on the floor. So itโs very unfortunate.โIn the Texas Senate, meanwhile, the rules are more stringent. Through a spokesperson, Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who authored the Senate rules regarding COVID-19 precautions, said he was not involved in any discussions with the Texas House.
Sarah Eckhardt wins special election for Texas Senate seat after Rep. Eddie Rodriguez forgoes a runoff
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2018 Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is set to succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, in the Texas Senate after state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez said Monday he is dropping out of the race. Eckhardt and Rodriguez, both Democrats, were poised to face off in a special election runoff for the seat. "For that reason," he wrote, "I have decided to forego the runoff for Senate and focus my efforts on winning a Democratic majority and promoting an aggressive, progressive agenda in the Texas House." Eckhardt and Rodriguez finished first and second, respectively, in the six-way race on July 14. Greg Abbott had not yet set a date for the runoff.
Sarah Eckhardt may avoid a runoff in Texas Senate District 14 special election, but its too close to call
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 29, 2018. Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt was leading the way Tuesday night in the special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, though it remained unclear whether she would be able to avoid a runoff. Eckhardt, who needs 50% of the vote to win the election outright, was hovering around that figure Tuesday night. Rodriguez touted his 18 years in the Texas House, arguing that his relationships there will serve him well in the Senate. His district includes all of Bastrop County, most of Austin and northern Travis County.
Record increases of new Covid-19 cases in 3 US states with the most population
(CNN) The three most-populous states in the US are reporting record increases in new coronavirus cases as concerning trends in the pandemic have emerged across the country. Greg Abbott urged people to stay home due to the surge, with some health officials calling for a stricter stay-at-home order. New cases and hospitalizations are rising at their fastest rate yet, with Texas reporting 5,551 cases on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of 5,489 set the day before, health authorities said. In many cases, officials pointed back to instances including parties and bars as sources of recent clusters. Some states remaining steadyMeanwhile, cases in 10 states are holding at a steady pace.