https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/zach-despart/The latest news by Zach Despart.enFri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://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/2023/12/05/texas-house-adjourns-special-legislative-session/The latest casualties were Senate Bill 5, which would spend $800 million on school safety measures through 2025, and Senate Bill 6, which would change the timeline of a trial after an election contest is filed by a citizen or group.Zach DespartTue, 05 Dec 2023 12:03:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/texas-house-adjourns-special-legislative-session/Morning sunlight falls on the Texas Capitol dome on Sept. 16, 2023.Morning sunlight falls on the Texas Capitol dome on Sept. 16, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/30/uvalde-shooting-investigation-records/The files would shed light on the disastrous police response that day, in which officers waited more than an hour to confront the shooter after learning he had an AR-15 style rifle.Zach DespartThu, 30 Nov 2023 17:25:26 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/30/uvalde-shooting-investigation-records/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/20/andrew-murr-reelection/Murr, who represents Junction, suggested he wanted to come home to spend more time with family. He had become a target of hardline conservative supporters of Attorney General Paxton.Zach DespartMon, 20 Nov 2023 16:59:27 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/20/andrew-murr-reelection/State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, speaks at a press conference after the Senate acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton in an impeachment trial in September.Chair of the Texas House impeachment managers, state Rep. Andrew Murr holds a press conference with vice chair Ann Johnson, D-Houston, following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s acquittal verdict on the impeachment trial at the Texas capitol in Austin on Sept. 16, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/16/texas-house-school-vouchers/The outcome was an embarrassment to Gov. Greg Abbott, who spent seven months lobbying two dozen Republicans who signaled opposition to vouchers in April.Zach Despart and Brian LopezThu, 16 Nov 2023 16:47:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/16/texas-house-school-vouchers/Bonham Middle School students enter the school’s cafeteria for lunch on Sept. 13 in Odessa.Bonham Middle School students enter the school’s cafeteria for lunch Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/14/pat-fallon-texas-senate-congress/Fallon, who made the decision 24 hours after filing to run for his old Texas Senate seat, did not say why he changed his mind. His staff said the congressperson would provide more information later.Zach DespartTue, 14 Nov 2023 16:56:22 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/14/pat-fallon-texas-senate-congress/U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Sherman, ended his campaign to return to the Texas Senate on Tuesday. He said he will instead run for Congress again.Senator Pat Fallon on the senate floor. Jan. 9, 2019.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/nate-paul-indictment-ken-paxton/During the impeachment trial, whistleblowers testified they believed Paul to be a criminal and were concerned that Paxton was essentially turning the keys of the office over to him.Zach DespartWed, 08 Nov 2023 11:09:09 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/08/nate-paul-indictment-ken-paxton/Nate Paul is the CEO of World Class, a real estate holding company.Nate Paul is the CEO of World Class, a real estate holding company.Social mediahttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/texas-legislature-special-session-adjourns/The governor announced the fourth special session would start an hour after the previous session adjourned.Zach DespartTue, 07 Nov 2023 11:15:27 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/texas-legislature-special-session-adjourns/Gov. Greg Abbott delivers remarks before signing a property tax bill at The Atrium Center in New Caney, on Aug. 9, 2023.Gov. Greg Abbott delivers remarks before signing a property tax cut bill at The Atrium Center in New Caney, on Aug. 9, 2023.Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-border-bills-special-session/The governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker generally agree on building more border barriers and making illegal border crossings a state crime. But disagreements over strategy and personal animosity mean those measures face long odds this special legislative session.Zach Despart and Uriel J. GarcíaThu, 02 Nov 2023 17:33:14 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/texas-border-bills-special-session/State Troopers arrest an undocumented Mexican migrant for trespassing as part of Operation Lone Star after he was caught with others in private property in Kinney County, on Nov. 9, 2021.State Troopers arrest an undocumented Mexican migrant for trespassing as part of Operation Lone Star after he was caught with others in private property in Kinney County, on Nov. 9, 2021.Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for ProPublica/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/greg-abbott-travels-israel-legislature/Abbott traveled to the Middle Eastern country as his priority legislation over school vouchers was stalling and with less than a week before the special legislation session he called is set to conclude.Zach DespartThu, 02 Nov 2023 10:16:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/greg-abbott-travels-israel-legislature/Governor Greg Abbott condemns the recent attacks on Israel during a community gathering in support of Israel at the Congregation Agudas Achim Oct. 9, 2023, in Austin.Governor Greg Abbott condemns the recent attacks on Israel during a community gathering in support of Israel at the Congregation Agudas Achim Oct. 9, 2023, in Austin. Abbott also announced efforts for Texas to support Israel, which included funding for increased security at Jewish and Israel-related locations such as synagogues and schools and an Executive Order directing all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/01/texas-house-dade-phelan-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott just announced he’d reached a deal with the House to advance school vouchers, but with less than a week before the Legislature must adjourn the lower chamber took no action on the governor’s priority legislation.Zach DespartWed, 01 Nov 2023 20:16:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/01/texas-house-dade-phelan-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan before gaveling in the House for the third-called special session on Oct. 9.Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan before gavelling in the House for the third-called special session on Oct. 9, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-house-dade-phelan/A deal between the governor and House would be a breakthrough after months of talks. But whether they actually have a deal is unclear.Zach Despart and Brian LopezTue, 31 Oct 2023 13:35:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-house-dade-phelan/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.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/2023/10/25/texas-vouchers-house-abbott-legislature/Vouchers are the governor’s top legislative priority. But he has signaled opposition to a proposed House compromise that would tie them to increased funding for public schools.Zach Despart and Brian LopezWed, 25 Oct 2023 10:43:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-vouchers-house-abbott-legislature/House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/19/colony-ridge-texas-legislature/On Thursday, the House State Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss the Liberty County subdivision without considering any specific legislation.Zach DespartThu, 19 Oct 2023 17:23:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/19/colony-ridge-texas-legislature/An overhead view of the Colony Ridge development in New Caney on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.An overhead view of the Colony Ridge development in New Caney on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/12/andrew-murr-texas-house-ken-paxton/The five-term House member, and his mustache, gained notoriety during the high-profile impeachment of Paxton. He warned tolerating corruption could hurt Republicans in the long term.Zach DespartThu, 12 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/12/andrew-murr-texas-house-ken-paxton/Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr stands in his law office on Oct. 3, 2023 in Junction. Murr lead the House Republican effort to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton.State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Junction.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/special-session-school-vouchers-dan-patrick-dade-phelan/Gov. Greg Abbott needs a delicate coalition of Republicans to pass his top priority. But the House and Senate leaders aren’t getting along.Zach Despart, Patrick Svitek and Brian LopezMon, 09 Oct 2023 18:16:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/special-session-school-vouchers-dan-patrick-dade-phelan/Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels in for this year's third special session on Oct. 9, 2023.Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels in the House for a third called special session on October 9, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-tucker-carlson-interview/In his first remarks since being acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment, the suspended Texas attorney general blamed Democrats while also taking aim at a number of high-profile Republicans.Zach DespartWed, 20 Sep 2023 21:27:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-tucker-carlson-interview/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a campaign event during a Bulverde Spring Branch Conservative Republicans meeting in 2022. Paxton criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, discussed voter fraud in Texas and praised the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Now he says the Biden Administration was behind his impeachment case.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attends a campaign event during a Bulverde Spring Branch Conservative Republicans meeting on May 16, 2022, in Bulverde. Paxton criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, discussed voter fraud in Texas and praised the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-republicans/The House impeachment managers faced a high bar: convincing enough Republican senators to vote against their own political self-interest.Zach DespartSun, 17 Sep 2023 11:08:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-republicans/House impeachment managers, front row from left, Reps. Morgan Meyer, David Spiller and Ann Johnson listen as voting takes place on the articles of impeachment during Attorney General Ken Paxton's trial on Sept. 16, 2023.House impeachment manager Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, center, listens as votes are votes cast during Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial on Sept. 16, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-acquitted-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/Only two of 19 Republican Senators voted in favor of convicting for any article — a stark contrast to the more than 70% of House Republicans who impeached the attorney general in May.Zach DespartSat, 16 Sep 2023 12:48:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-acquitted-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/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 Texas Senate on Friday.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, 2023.Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-closing-arguments/Senators begin deliberating in private after defense lawyers and impeachment managers make impassioned pleas after two weeks of trial.Zach Despart and Robert DownenFri, 15 Sep 2023 12:51:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-closing-arguments/Senators are led onto the Senate floor at the beginning of the ninth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial at the Capitol on Sept. 15, 2023.Senators are led onto the Senate Floor at the beginning of the ninth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune