https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/The latest news by Patrick Svitek.enMon, 08 Jan 2024 18:03:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/08/denton-county-election-brent-hagenbuch/Brent Hagenbuch is working to fend off doubts about his residency in the four-way Republican primary to replace retiring state Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. A last-minute court filing claims he resides in a corporate apartment in the district.Patrick SvitekMon, 08 Jan 2024 18:03:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/08/denton-county-election-brent-hagenbuch/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/04/international-bridge-projects-texas-mexico-biden/U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, led the effort to set a maximum 120-day timeline for the president to decide whether to approve a permit for new international bridge projects. The previous process could have taken years.Patrick SvitekThu, 04 Jan 2024 15:31:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/04/international-bridge-projects-texas-mexico-biden/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/The governor projected confidence throughout 2023 that vouchers would pass. But his insistence on universal eligibility ensured his failure to convince 21 House Republican holdouts.Patrick Svitek, Zach Despart and Brian LopezFri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/21/texas-house-republicans-paxton-abbott/Paxton has been seeking revenge on fellow Republicans who voted to impeach him earlier this year. Similarly, Abbott is looking to unseat GOP House members who voted against school vouchers.Carla Astudillo and Patrick SvitekThu, 21 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/21/texas-house-republicans-paxton-abbott/Wide view of the Texas House chamber during debate on the articles of impeachment against AG Ken Paxton on May 27, 2023.Wide view of the Texas House chamber during debate on the articles of impeachment against AG Ken Paxton on May 27, 2023.Bob Daemmrchhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/ken-paxton-whistleblower-lawsuit/The four whistleblowers asked the court last month to force the attorney general and his aides to sit for deposition, which would require them to answer questions under oath related to the allegations of bribery and corruption.Patrick SvitekWed, 20 Dec 2023 16:49:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/ken-paxton-whistleblower-lawsuit/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits between defense attorneys Tony Buzbee, left, and Mitch Little, right, before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Sept. 15 in Austin.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits between defense attorneys Tony Buzbee, left, and Mitch Little, right, before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas.Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/15/kelcy-warren-defamation-beto-orourke/Kelcy Warren, a Dallas pipeline billionaire, sued O’Rourke in early 2022, saying the Democrat defamed him with critical comments about his company’s windfall profits after the Texas energy-grid collapse in February 2021.Patrick SvitekFri, 15 Dec 2023 10:02:44 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/15/kelcy-warren-defamation-beto-orourke/Kelcy Warren is executive chairman and chairman of the board of directors of Energy Transfer.Kelcy Warren is executive chairman and chairman of the board of directors of Energy Transfer.Energy Transfer websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/14/ken-paxton-impeachment-house-costs/The bulk of the costs came from bills from Rusty Hardin’s law firm, according to records released this week.Patrick SvitekThu, 14 Dec 2023 12:30:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/14/ken-paxton-impeachment-house-costs/From left, Texas House impeachment manager Andrew Murr, R-Junction, speaks with prosecution lawyers Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin during a short recess on the second day of the impeachment trial for Attorney General Ken Paxton on Sept. 6, 2023 in Austin. The Senate acquitted Paxton.From left, House Impeachment Manager Andrew Murr, R-Junction speaks with prosecution lawyers Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin during a short recess on the second day of the impeachment trial for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Austin.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/13/ken-paxton-court-of-criminal-appeal-primary-republicans/Paxton promised to go after the Republican judges over their 2021 ruling that struck down the attorney general’s ability to unilaterally prosecute voter fraud.Patrick SvitekWed, 13 Dec 2023 15:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/13/ken-paxton-court-of-criminal-appeal-primary-republicans/From left: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter, Judge Barbara Hervey and Presiding Judge Sharon Keller.From left: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter, Judge Barbara Hervey and Presiding Judge Sharon Keller.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/12/texas-primary-election-ken-paxton-greg-abbott/With both Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton out for revenge, Republican members of the Texas House are the top target on the ballot.Patrick SvitekTue, 12 Dec 2023 14:42:08 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/12/texas-primary-election-ken-paxton-greg-abbott/An empty chair on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021.An empty chair on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/sheila-jackson-lee-reelection-house/State Sen. John Whitmire, a fellow Houston Democrat, defeated Jackson Lee in a landslide Saturday.Patrick SvitekMon, 11 Dec 2023 12:40:30 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/sheila-jackson-lee-reelection-house/Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during an EPA meeting on April 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas.Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during an EPA meeting on April 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/victoria-neave-criado-nathan-johnson-senate-texas/Neave Craido revealed her decision to the Dallas Morning News in an interview published Monday, saying Johnson has not fought hard enough to push back against the Republican agenda.Patrick SvitekMon, 11 Dec 2023 10:17:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/11/victoria-neave-criado-nathan-johnson-senate-texas/Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, walks back to her desk on the house floor on Thursday, May 13, 2021.Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, walks back to her desk on the house floor on Thursday, May 13, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/09/tony-buzbee-houston-city-council-attorney-mary-nan-huffman/Buzbee challenged Mary Nan Huffman, the incumbent, who was backed by the Texas GOP and local Republican officials.Patrick Svitek and Maia PandeySat, 09 Dec 2023 22:04:50 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/09/tony-buzbee-houston-city-council-attorney-mary-nan-huffman/Mary Nan Huffman, candidate for Houston City Council District G, talks with people at Nottingham Elementary School, 570 Nottingham Oaks Trail, on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.Mary Nan Huffman, candidate for Houston City Council District G, talks with people at Nottingham Elementary School, 570 Nottingham Oaks Trail, on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.Courtesy of Melissa Phillip/Houston Chroniclehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/09/john-whitmire-sheila-jackson-lee-houston-mayor/Whitmire defeated U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to be the next mayor of Texas’ largest city and the fourth largest city in the U.S.Patrick Svitek and Maia PandeySat, 09 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/09/john-whitmire-sheila-jackson-lee-houston-mayor/Sen. John Whitmire speaks to supporters during a campaign watch party during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Houston.Senator John Whitmire speaks to supporters during a campaign watch party during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Houston.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/08/miriam-adelson-dallas-mavericks-legalize-casinos/Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby.Patrick SvitekFri, 08 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/08/miriam-adelson-dallas-mavericks-legalize-casinos/Miriam Adelson delivers a keynote speech at the Texas Association of Business Policy Conference on Dec. 7, 2023, in Austin.Miriam Adelson delivers a keynote speech at the Texas Association of Business Policy Conference on Dec. 7, 2023, in Austin.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-constitutional-amendments/In court filings Tuesday, the secretary of state’s office argued that the plaintiffs in the election contests “never served a citation” properly. But there’s no guarantee it’ll work.Patrick SvitekWed, 06 Dec 2023 19:17:04 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-constitutional-amendments/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-vouchers-primary-special-session/Abbott is promising to continue the fight for “school choice” but staying mum on whether that means he will call another special session as he has previously threatened.Patrick Svitek and Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Dec 2023 10:05:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/06/greg-abbott-vouchers-primary-special-session/Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on Nov. 10, 2023.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates, at the Governor's Mansion in Austin on Nov. 10, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/frederick-frazier-plea-deal-impersonating-public-servant-texas/Frazier was indicted in June 2022 on two charges of impersonating a public servant, a felony offense. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges as part of a plea agreement.Patrick Svitek and Ayden RunnelsTue, 05 Dec 2023 10:11:10 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/frederick-frazier-plea-deal-impersonating-public-servant-texas/State Rep. Frederick Frazier, R-McKinney, on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.State Rep. Frederick Frazier, R-McKinney, on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/28/new-article-greg-abbott-school-vouchers-hugh-shine-endorse/Abbott on Tuesday backed Hillary Hickland, an activist mother who is running against Rep. Hugh Shine, R-Temple.Patrick SvitekTue, 28 Nov 2023 15:23:24 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/28/new-article-greg-abbott-school-vouchers-hugh-shine-endorse/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/27/kamala-harris-vice-president-houston/The vice president’s Houston visit comes as the Biden campaign works to shore up Latino support ahead of a potential rematch against former President Donald Trump next year.Patrick SvitekMon, 27 Nov 2023 18:29:48 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/27/kamala-harris-vice-president-houston/Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about abortion rights with Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Julieta Garibay, Senior Capacity Building Director for Groundswell Fund, at the LBJ Museum in Austin on Oct. 8, 2022.Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about abortion rights with Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Julieta Garibay, Senior Capacity Building Director for Groundswell Fund, at the LBJ Museum in Austin on Oct. 8, 2022.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/27/greg-abbott-skydiving-al-blaschke/Abbott visited the San Marcos area to go skydiving with Al Blaschke, a 106-year-old World War II veteran who has already broken records for his own aerial feats.Patrick SvitekMon, 27 Nov 2023 11:09:12 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/27/greg-abbott-skydiving-al-blaschke/Gov. Greg Abbott skydives in a tandem jump in Fentress on Nov. 27, 2023. The governor skydived for his first time with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke, who holds the the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest tandem parachute jump.Gov. Greg Abbott skydives in a tandem jump in San Marcos on Nov. 27, 2023. The governor skydived for his first time with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke, who holds the the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest tandem parachute jump.Office Of The Governor