INSIDER
Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez show contrasts during U.S. Senate primary debate
Read full article: Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez show contrasts during U.S. Senate primary debateDuring potentially their only primary debate, Gutierrez suggested Allred was pandering to Republicans, while Allred defended his bipartisanship as necessary to winning in GOP-dominated Texas.
Colin Allred looks to protect advantages in crowded race to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Read full article: Colin Allred looks to protect advantages in crowded race to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted CruzState Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who is trailing Allred in money and polls, is positioning himself as the chief progressive in the race.
Texas prosecutor convenes grand jury to investigate Uvalde shooting, multiple media report
Read full article: Texas prosecutor convenes grand jury to investigate Uvalde shooting, multiple media reportA Texas prosecutor has convened a grand jury to investigate the Uvalde school shooting that killed 21 people, multiple media have reported.
Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal charges
Read full article: Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal chargesSome relatives of the 21 people killed in Texas’ deadliest school shooting are demanding criminal charges after federal officials say delayed police response cost lives.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred joins Republicans to condemn Biden’s handling of border
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Colin Allred joins Republicans to condemn Biden’s handling of borderState Sen. Roland Gutierrez blasted Allred for the vote. Gutierrez and Allred are running for the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
After fighting for Uvalde residents, Roland Gutierrez struggles to break through crowded field to challenge Ted Cruz
Read full article: After fighting for Uvalde residents, Roland Gutierrez struggles to break through crowded field to challenge Ted CruzThe Democrat has dedicated significant energy to probing law enforcement’s response to the Uvalde school shooting. But he faces a fundraising deficit against U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas.
Two Texas Democrats detail how they hope to topple U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Read full article: Two Texas Democrats detail how they hope to topple U.S. Sen. Ted CruzU.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who will meet in the 2024 Democratic primary, talked about gun laws, abortion and bipartisanship in separate Texas Tribune Festival panels.
Lawmakers call for federal investigation into Texas Guard intel ring
Read full article: Lawmakers call for federal investigation into Texas Guard intel ringThe lawmakers’ remarks came after an investigation published Tuesday by Military Times and The Texas Tribune revealed how Texas Guardsmen at the state’s border with Mexico spied on migrants via WhatsApp and allegedly mishandled secret documents.
Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez draw distinctions on key issues as they target Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024
Read full article: Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez draw distinctions on key issues as they target Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024Heading into the primary, the U.S. House member and state senator answer questions on guns, the border, abortion and other parts of their platforms.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raises $4.4 million in second quarter as he seeks reelection
Read full article: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raises $4.4 million in second quarter as he seeks reelectionThe Republican’s haul fell short of the money raised by Rep. Colin Allred, a Democratic opponent who collected $6.2 million in a shorter period — but Cruz prevailed in the 2018 election despite getting outraised then.
Following Uvalde shooting, Democrat Roland Gutierrez becomes Ted Cruz's latest challenger
Read full article: Following Uvalde shooting, Democrat Roland Gutierrez becomes Ted Cruz's latest challengerRepublican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has drawn another Democratic challenger in the 2024 U.S. Senate race.
Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez enters Democratic primary targeting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024
Read full article: Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez enters Democratic primary targeting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024Known for pushing gun restrictions after the Uvalde school shooting in his district, Gutierrez will vie for the opportunity to take on Republican Cruz in the general election. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is already running in the primary.
With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposals
Read full article: With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposalsA stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday.
Gun safety advocates see signs of progress in first session after Uvalde shooting even though raise-the-age bill stalled
Read full article: Gun safety advocates see signs of progress in first session after Uvalde shooting even though raise-the-age bill stalledEmotions often ran high over a proposal to limit young adults’ access to some firearms. Lawmakers have largely prioritized school safety measures, but there was still progress for some gun-related legislation.
After backlash, Abbott expresses some regret after labeling all Cleveland shooting victims ‘illegal immigrants’
Read full article: After backlash, Abbott expresses some regret after labeling all Cleveland shooting victims ‘illegal immigrants’The governor’s focus on immigration status, not the loss of life, draws rebukes from across the country.
After years of little progress, Texas gun control and safety advocates see some small openings for dialogue at the Capitol
Read full article: After years of little progress, Texas gun control and safety advocates see some small openings for dialogue at the CapitolMany bills that would limit access to firearms or ammunition likely won’t become law anytime soon. But people who advocate at the Texas Capitol see emerging signs that there’s appetite for finding some middle ground.
Uvalde’s state lawmakers face an uphill battle raising the age limit for semi-automatic guns. They’re trying anyway.
Read full article: Uvalde’s state lawmakers face an uphill battle raising the age limit for semi-automatic guns. They’re trying anyway.Many relatives of Uvalde victims back bills that state Rep. Tracy King and Sen. Roland Gutierrez are pushing in the Legislature. But limits on gun access don’t fare well at the Capitol.
After botched response to Uvalde massacre, Texas senator wants better mass shooting training for public safety entities
Read full article: After botched response to Uvalde massacre, Texas senator wants better mass shooting training for public safety entitiesState Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, wants to prevent communication breakdowns like the ones that occurred in the botched response to the Uvalde school shooting.
After fumbled Uvalde shooting response, Texas senator wants to make it easier to sue law enforcement officers
Read full article: After fumbled Uvalde shooting response, Texas senator wants to make it easier to sue law enforcement officersState Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a San Antonio Democrat, introduced a package of legislation that includes a bill that would end qualified immunity, which shields government officials from liability for constitutional violations.
Farmers face a higher risk of suicide. The Texas Agriculture Department wants $500,000 a year to change that.
Read full article: Farmers face a higher risk of suicide. The Texas Agriculture Department wants $500,000 a year to change that.The department’s helpline is less than a year old. But advocates hope state lawmakers fully fund it as farmers and ranchers continue to face hard economic times and isolation.
Texas state senator blasts Uvalde police response in congressional hearing: “It was cowardice”
Read full article: Texas state senator blasts Uvalde police response in congressional hearing: “It was cowardice”Roland Gutierrez made the remarks during a hearing of the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security that was focused on bipartisan legislative solutions to gun violence.
Texas State Sen. Gutierrez to announce policy proposal for Uvalde community following Robb Elementary tragedy
Read full article: Texas State Sen. Gutierrez to announce policy proposal for Uvalde community following Robb Elementary tragedyTexas State Sen. Roland Gutierrez is expected to announce a new policy proposal for the Uvalde community following the recent massacre at Robb Elementary.
Texas DPS chief Steve McCraw says his agency “did not fail” at Uvalde school shooting
Read full article: Texas DPS chief Steve McCraw says his agency “did not fail” at Uvalde school shootingAt a public meeting where families that lost children in the school shooting said he should resign, McCraw said members of the Department of Public Safety made mistakes. But he said he’ll step down only “if DPS as an institution failed the families.”
WATCH LIVE: Texas Sen. Gutierrez, Uvalde families to speak at Texas DPS commission meeting Thursday
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Texas Sen. Gutierrez, Uvalde families to speak at Texas DPS commission meeting ThursdayThe Texas Department of Public Safety is holding a public safety commission meeting Thursday morning, with several families from Uvalde plan to attend.
Texas state police can keep Uvalde records secret for now, judge rules
Read full article: Texas state police can keep Uvalde records secret for now, judge rulesThe ruling sidestepped the question of whether the state police can withhold records concerning their response to the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School. The judge concluded that state Sen. Roland Gutierrez had not properly filed his request under Texas’ public records law.
Texas Department of Public Safety investigating how 91 of its troopers and Rangers responded to Uvalde school shooting
Read full article: Texas Department of Public Safety investigating how 91 of its troopers and Rangers responded to Uvalde school shootingThe department’s officers made up nearly one-fourth of the 376 law enforcement members who responded to Texas’ deadliest school shooting. Announcement of the inquiry came one day after a report criticized police response to the massacre.
Uvalde residents frustrated with officials over finger pointing, conflicting accounts and leaked video
Read full article: Uvalde residents frustrated with officials over finger pointing, conflicting accounts and leaked videoResidents and victims’ families say the way local and state leaders are handling details about the state’s deadliest shooting is compounding their trauma and grief.
Uvalde Mayor contradicts report, timeline of mass shooting response
Read full article: Uvalde Mayor contradicts report, timeline of mass shooting responseUvalde’s mayor is contradicting what was considered a major revelation regarding a police officer having the chance to stop the shooter before entering Robb Elementary back in May.
Uvalde shooting victims aren’t getting compensated from state fund as intended, officials say
Read full article: Uvalde shooting victims aren’t getting compensated from state fund as intended, officials sayState Sen. Roland Gutierrez and Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to remove the Uvalde County district attorney from overseeing the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center.
During Uvalde hearing, state lawmakers learn where campus security falls short
Read full article: During Uvalde hearing, state lawmakers learn where campus security falls shortA joint committee hearing between the state House Homeland Security and Public Safety committee, and the Youth Health and Safety Select committee heard testimony about where weak spots in school safety still exist.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez sues DPS for not releasing Uvalde shooting records
Read full article: State Sen. Roland Gutierrez sues DPS for not releasing Uvalde shooting recordsState and local Uvalde officials have fought the release of records that could provide clarity on the botched emergency response to the shooting that killed 19 children and two educators.
Texas Senate Democrats renew calls for special session on gun violence
Read full article: Texas Senate Democrats renew calls for special session on gun violenceMembers of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus renewed their pleas Monday for Governor Greg Abbott to call an emergency special session on gun violence in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting.
Texas Senate Democrats call again for a special session on gun safety in response to Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Texas Senate Democrats call again for a special session on gun safety in response to Uvalde shootingThe senators said they would support proposals like raising the age to legally own an assault weapon from 18 to 21, creating red flag laws and regulating private gun sales.
Witnesses testify behind closed doors in Uvalde mass shooting probe
Read full article: Witnesses testify behind closed doors in Uvalde mass shooting probeThe state House committee investigating the police response to the mass murders at Robb Elementary School held its first session in Uvalde Thursday. All testimony given to the committee was done behind closed doors.
State records detail types of Uvalde CISD police training; lawmakers call for more and better training
Read full article: State records detail types of Uvalde CISD police training; lawmakers call for more and better trainingLaw enforcement offers who work in schools are trained to handle active shooter situations, however, lawmakers are now questioning whether the training is enough in the wake of the Uvalde massacre.
Senator: Chief had no radio during Uvalde school shooting
Read full article: Senator: Chief had no radio during Uvalde school shootingA Texas state senator says the state agency investigating the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde has determined that the commander facing criticism for the slow police response was not carrying a radio as the massacre unfolded.
Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, says it’s a “slap in the face” to be left off committee responding to shooting
Read full article: Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde, says it’s a “slap in the face” to be left off committee responding to shootingGutierrez, a Democrat who has been critical of the state’s response to past shootings, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also snubbed state senators whose districts were affected by shootings in El Paso and Santa Fe.
Uvalde school district’s police chief didn’t know about 911 calls coming from inside the school, lawmaker says
Read full article: Uvalde school district’s police chief didn’t know about 911 calls coming from inside the school, lawmaker saysState Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said the commanding officer at the scene of the shooting was not informed about the calls that Uvalde police were receiving, calling the lack of coordination a “system failure.”
Uvalde school police chief says he’s still cooperating
Read full article: Uvalde school police chief says he’s still cooperatingThe school district police chief who served as on-site commander during last week’s deadly shooting in Uvalde, Texas, says he’s talking daily with investigators, contradicting claims from state law enforcement that he has stopped cooperating.
At least 2 students killed in shooting at Uvalde elementary school, officials confirm
Read full article: At least 2 students killed in shooting at Uvalde elementary school, officials confirmAn 18-year-old gunman opened fire at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, in the nation's deadliest school shooting in nearly a decade.
Pete Gallego’s relatively short tenure as president of Sul Ross University was mired in conflict — from the campus to the Texas Capitol
Read full article: Pete Gallego’s relatively short tenure as president of Sul Ross University was mired in conflict — from the campus to the Texas CapitolThe politician turned college president got stuck in a fight over which university system should manage the university. And he faced pushback from faculty and members of the Far West Texas community about his decisions and leadership style.
Barely underway, Texas redistricting draws its first lawsuit challenging Legislature’s authority to redraw legislative maps
Read full article: Barely underway, Texas redistricting draws its first lawsuit challenging Legislature’s authority to redraw legislative mapsTwo Democratic state senators filed the federal suit arguing the Texas Constitution does not allow lawmakers to meet in special session to draw up state House and Senate districts. They’re asking the courts to do it instead.
Join The Texas Tribune for a live interview with new members of the Texas Senate
Read full article: Join The Texas Tribune for a live interview with new members of the Texas SenateCésar Blanco, Roland Gutierrez and Drew Springer join The Texas Tribune for a live event on Jan. 19. Join The Texas Tribune at noon Central Jan. 19 for an interview with three new members of the Texas Senate: César Blanco, D-El Paso; Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio; and Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Blanco, D-El Paso, represents Senate District 29 in El Paso. Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, represents Senate District 19 in San Antonio. Though donors and corporate sponsors underwrite Texas Tribune events, they play no role in determining the content, panelists or line of questioning.
In economic crisis, Texas Democrats push to legalize marijuana. Key Republicans likely stand in the way.
Read full article: In economic crisis, Texas Democrats push to legalize marijuana. Key Republicans likely stand in the way.State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January. But given the state of the economy and more states following the trend to legalize and tax cannabis, they said action was needed. A report by the American Civil Liberties Union found that, in 2018, Black people in Texas were 2.6 times more likely to be arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession than white people.