EnergyFederalDistrict Judge Pauses President Biden’s Oil and Gas Drilling Halt on Federal Land, Citing Lack of Congressional Approval
Brad Johnson1 hour ago
Execution of the order is postponed until further decision on the case.
HomeAuthorBrad Johnson, Reporter for The Texan
Brad Johnson is an Ohio native who graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2017. He is an avid sports fan who most enjoys watching his favorite teams continue their title drought throughout his cognizant lifetime. In his free time, you may find Brad quoting Monty Python productions and trying to calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.
87th LegislatureThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Analyzing the 2021 Texas Legislature’s Conservative to Liberal Rankings
Brad Johnson6 hours ago
This week — Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy released its legislative ranking for the 87th Regular Session.
FederalHealthcareJudicialTexas Obamacare Challenge Tossed by U.S. Supreme Court for Lack of Standing
Brad Johnson22 hours ago
Without getting to the central questions of the case, the nation's highest court dismissed the latest Obamacare challenge citing a lack of standing.
Elections 2021IssuesCandidates Emerge in the Texas GOP’s Frantic Race to Replace Outgoing Chair Allen West
Brad JohnsonJune 16, 2021
Current RPT Chairman Allen West announced his resignation effective next month, and so far three candidates have jumped into the race to succeed him.
EnergyERCOT Issues Energy Conservation Request After Tight Grid Conditions Caused by Mechanical Failures
Brad JohnsonJune 14, 2021
Due to a number of unexpected plant outages caused by mechanical failures, Texans have been asked to conserve energy for the next five days.
Local NewsControversial Austin City Hall Homeless Campsite Remains After Partial Removal for Construction Project
Brad JohnsonJune 14, 2021
A month and a half after it sprouted up, most of the homeless encampment on the grounds of Austin City Hall still stands. Police removed a portion to make way for a construction project.
Elections 2022Chip Roy’s Potential Repeat Primary Opponent Has ‘Asked Trump for His Endorsement’
Brad JohnsonJune 14, 2021
Former President Donald Trump has hinted at primary opposition to Rep. Chip Roy, but hasn't weighed in since.
The Back MicThe Back Mic: GOP State Rep. Opposes Dan Patrick’s Re-Election, Abbott Tempers Legislative Funding Threat, Revival of Property Tax Break Floated
Brad JohnsonJune 11, 2021
This week — the lieutenant governor is criticized by a conservative House member, the governor tempers a veto threat, and the revival of a property tax abatement program is floated.
Statewide NewsTexas Reinstates Full Work Search Requirement to Obtain Unemployment Benefits as Businesses Struggle to Rehire Employees
Brad JohnsonJune 9, 2021
Texas has at least 800,000 job openings as the state continues recovery from the pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns of 2020.
87th LegislatureEnergy‘Everything That Needed to be Done, Was Done,’ Abbott Says Signing ERCOT and Power Grid Reforms
Brad JohnsonJune 8, 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the state's omnibus response to the February blackouts along with ERCOT reform.
Elections 2021Republican Javier Villalobos Wins McAllen Mayoral Race, Again Illustrating Political Shift in Texas Border Counties
Brad JohnsonJune 8, 2021
The result of McAllen's mayoral runoff this past weekend surprised many, but was a continuation of a larger trend post-2020.
87th LegislatureState HouseTexas House Members Take Stock of Speaker Dade Phelan’s First Session
Brad JohnsonJune 7, 2021
Speaker Dade Phelan found himself in the crosshairs of his counterpart across the rotunda after priority legislation faltered at the last minute.
Statewide NewsFormer State Rep. Matt Rinaldi Announces Bid for Texas GOP Chair
Brad JohnsonJune 4, 2021
Matt Rinaldi has thrown his name into contention to replace outgoing Texas GOP Chairman Allen West.
Less than a year since taking the helm of the nation's largest state Republican Party, Allen West has decided to step down as chairman next month.
The Back MicThe Back Mic: Speaker Phelan Reviews the Session, Democrats Listed Who Didn’t Break Quorum, Morgan Luttrell Launches Bid for Congress
Brad JohnsonJune 4, 2021
This week — a look at Texas politics as the 87th Regular Legislative Session closes out.
87th LegislatureState HouseState SenateGov. Abbott to Call At Least Two Special Sessions for Texas Legislature in 2021
Brad JohnsonJune 3, 2021
Texas now has at least two special legislative sessions on the horizon.
87th LegislatureState HouseState SenateRepublicans Disagree on Claims that the 87th Session Was ‘The Most Conservative in Texas History’
Brad JohnsonJune 3, 2021
Stakeholders weigh in on the conservative successes and failures of the 87th Legislative Session.
Elections 2022Former President Trump Endorses Governor Abbott for Re-election
Brad JohnsonJune 2, 2021
The southern border will be a focal point in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary as challengers try to unseat incumbent Greg Abbott.
87th LegislatureState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingProperty Tax Disaster Loophole for Pandemics Closed by 87th Legislature
Brad JohnsonJune 1, 2021
A year after a loophole was triggered allowing property taxes to be increased above the new limits during the pandemic, the state legislature has passed legislation attempting to close it.
87th LegislatureState HouseState SenateHomeless Camping Ban, Police Defunding Punishment Mark State Lawmakers’ Rebuke of the City of Austin
Brad JohnsonJune 1, 2021
The 87th Legislative Session featured another episode in a long conflict between the conservative state government and its progressive capital city.