Local NewsHarris County Expansion to Include $48 Million of Coronavirus Aid for Daycare Holly HansenJune 21, 2022County Judge Lina Hidalgo says the program will use federal ARPA funds to provide childcare for 1,000 children for three years.
State HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingFederal Coronavirus Funds May Be Used to Cut Taxes, District Court Rules on Texas Lawsuit Brad JohnsonApril 12, 2022The Texas legislature earmarked $3 billion of its American Rescue Plan Act funds for "property tax relief" in 2023.
87th LegislatureFederalTaxes & SpendingTexas Officials, Municipality Lobbyists Unclear on Strings Attached to Federal Coronavirus Funding Brad JohnsonDecember 8, 2021The governor and attorney general have been vague on their guidance about the ARPA funding's stipulation that recipients must comply with "applicable executive orders."
FederalTexas Joins Suit Challenging Congressional Tax Cut Ban for Coronavirus Funds Brad JohnsonOctober 28, 2021Congress prohibited recipients of the ARPA funding from using it to cut taxes but that condition is facing legal challenge.
Local NewsTaxes & SpendingCity of Brady Sends Back $1.3 Million in Coronavirus Funding to Avoid Federal Government Strings Attached Brad JohnsonOctober 25, 2021The 5,000-person town in the heart of Texas rejected its coronavirus recovery funds due to concerns over the funding's accompanying conditions.
87th LegislatureState HouseState Senate$16 Billion in Federal Coronavirus Aid Disbursed by Texas Legislature Brad JohnsonOctober 21, 2021The state has until 2024 to disburse the federal funding but has done so well in advance.
HealthcareBirths Could be Paused by Rural Hospitals Stressed by Coronavirus Vaccine Mandate, Employee Opposition Brad JohnsonSeptember 28, 2021Some health care workers are objecting to the White House’s vaccination mandate.
Local NewsTaxes & Spending13 Big City Mayors Call on Texas Legislature to Use Coronavirus Aid on ‘Key Municipal Needs’ Brad JohnsonSeptember 27, 2021The state legislature must appropriate $16 billion in federal aid and mayors of 13 cities have their own ideas about how it should be spent.
87th LegislatureState HouseState Senate$16 Billion in Federal Coronavirus Aid Must Be Appropriated During Third Special Session Brad JohnsonSeptember 17, 2021Congress set guidelines for the funding, such as no tax cuts, but the legislature has eyed it anyway hoping courts will rule on their side.
Statewide NewsGovernor Greg Abbott Tests Positive for Coronavirus Brad JohnsonAugust 17, 2021The governor is asymptomatic but receiving antibody treatment, according to his office.
Criminal JusticeFederalHealthcareImmigration & BorderHidalgo County Judge Declares State of Disaster Over Coronavirus Infections Tied to Asylum Seekers Hayden SparksAugust 3, 2021Congressman Chip Roy has called for the impeachment of United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
Criminal JusticeElections 2022Immigration & BorderIssuesBorder Patrol in South Texas Releasing Illegal Aliens Testing Positive for Coronavirus, per Local Police Hayden SparksJuly 29, 2021Gov. Greg Abbott prohibited anyone except law enforcement from providing “ground transportation” for individuals arrested by border police.