This week — A look at the drama surrounding the 2020 Texas State Republican Convention and the battle waged between the party and the City of Houston.
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Statewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Texas GOP Moves Forward with In-Person Convention Plans
McKenzie TaylorJuly 3, 2020
This week — A look at the Texas Republican Party's executive committee's decision to move forward with plans to hold its state convention in-person.
Elections 2020State HouseThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Runoff Candidates Spar with Abbott, Release Attack Ads, Endorse Former Rivals
McKenzie TaylorJune 26, 2020
This week — developments in hot runoff races, including Gov. Abbott clashing with a retiring lawmaker, new attack ads, and endorsements from former rivals.
Elections 2020The Back MicThe Back Mic: Senate District 14 Race Heats Up with New Ads, Endorsements
McKenzie TaylorJune 19, 2020
This week — a look at new developments in the race to replace Sen. Kirk Watson in Senate District 14.
Elections 2020Statewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Texas House Members Endorse Colleague, Abbott Endorses in a Runoff, Black Caucus to Hold Town Halls
McKenzie TaylorJune 12, 2020
This week — seven House members endorse one of their own, Abbott involves himself in a GOP runoff, and a black legislative caucus sets town hall dates.
State HouseStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Legislators Ask for CARES Act Funds to Lower Appraisal Values, Alamo Protection, Environmental Regulatory Transparency
McKenzie TaylorJune 5, 2020
This week — lawmakers ask for coronavirus aid to lower appraisals, the governor to intervene in Alamo drama, and an agency to name which businesses were granted regulatory waivers.
Battleground 2020Elections 2020Taxes & SpendingThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Eric Holder Endorses in Texas, Watchdog Group Highlights TxDOT Spending, Sid Miller Makes 10 Percent Budget Cuts
McKenzie TaylorMay 29, 2020
This week — endorsements from a group headed by a former U.S. attorney general, the “Texas Wastebook’s” first highlight, and an agency commissioner announcing budget cuts.
IssuesThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Lawmakers Respond to Governor Abbott’s Latest Reopening Plans
McKenzie TaylorMay 22, 2020
This week — a look at what lawmakers are saying about Governor Greg Abbott ushering in Phase 2 of his plan to reopen Texas.
Elections 2020IssuesState HouseState SenateThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Special Election Field Finalized, Pro-Choice Group Issues Endorsements, Abbott Releases Coronavirus Response Ad
McKenzie TaylorMay 15, 2020
This week — the Senate District 14 field is set, new endorsements are issued, and Governor Abbott releases an ad touting his coronavirus response.
IssuesStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Timeline of Governor Abbott’s Response to Coronavirus
McKenzie TaylorMay 8, 2020
This week — a timeline of Governor Greg Abbott's actions taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic in Texas.
IssuesThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Abbott Teases Permanent Alcohol-to-Go, Lawmakers Request Salon Reopening and Emergency Resources for Nursing Homes
McKenzie TaylorMay 1, 2020
This week — Governor Abbott hints alcohol-to-go permanence, legislators continue to call for salons to reopen, and nursing home resources are advocated for.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Letters from Legislators Promote Varying Priorities During Pandemic
McKenzie TaylorApril 24, 2020
This week — A look at the letters legislators are writing during the coronavirus pandemic, and the issues they're focusing on.
IssuesStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: A List of Regulations Waived by Governor Abbott During the Coronavirus Pandemic
McKenzie TaylorApril 17, 2020
This week — a list of what regulations Governor Abbott has waived since declaring a state of disaster in Texas as a result of the coronavirus.
86th LegislatureHealthcareIssuesState HouseState SenateThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Proposed Pay Cut for Officials Who Halt Business, Municipalities Respond to Coronavirus, Capitol Staff Helps Workforce Commission
McKenzie TaylorApril 10, 2020
This week — a proposal that could incentivize officials to avoid shutting down nonessential businesses, local government coronavirus responses, and capitol staff to help workforce commission.
Battleground 2020Elections 2020IssuesState HouseState SenateThe Back MicThe Back Mic: How Runoff Candidates Fared Financially Before Election Day
McKenzie TaylorApril 3, 2020
This week — a look at how much money candidates who are now facing a longer ramp-up to their runoff elections had before the primary.
HealthcareIssuesStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: A List of All the Executive Orders Issued by Governor Abbott
McKenzie TaylorMarch 27, 2020
This week — here's a list of the executive orders instituted by Governor Greg Abbott since he took office in 2015.
Elections 2020IssuesState HouseState SenateStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: GOP Convention Postponed, Freedom Caucus Letter to Hegar, Senate District 14 Update
McKenzie TaylorMarch 20, 2020
This week — Texas Republicans postpone their state convention, the Freedom Caucus calls on the comptroller, and a state senate race continues to solidify.
IssuesState HouseThe Back MicThe Back Mic: Highlights from Bonnen’s Radio Appearance
McKenzie TaylorMarch 13, 2020
In this edition — Texas Speaker Dennis Bonnen took to radio to apologize for last year's missteps, while still laying blame with Michael Quinn Sullivan.
Elections 2020IssuesState HouseState SenateStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: A Post-Super Tuesday Roundup of State Legislative Runoff Elections
McKenzie TaylorMarch 6, 2020
Now that Super Tuesday has come and gone, here's a look at the candidates in each of the runoff elections for state legislative seats.
Elections 2020FederalIssuesState HouseState SenateStatewide NewsThe Back MicThe Back Mic: A List of State Legislator Endorsements for Presidential Candidates
McKenzie TaylorFebruary 28, 2020
This week — here's a list of the state legislators who've thrown their support behind Democratic presidential candidates ahead of Super Tuesday.