Ryan Chandler
@RyanChandlerTV
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Correspondent @NBCNews | Texan
Austin, TX
Joined November 2013
News from my world - it’s my first week as a correspondent for @NBCNews! I’ll be between Miami, NY, and LA for training, and then based in Dallas to focus on TX, the south, and wherever the world takes me for NBC platforms nationwide. Honored is an understatement. See y’all soon!
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Giving college kids an extra long spring back when flights are $30 seems like a terrible way to contain a pandemic but I’ll worry about that in Cancún.
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#TXGovDebate focus group poll with @JackieKingston1 showing interesting results:. Pre-debate:.@GovAbbott - 40.@BetoORourke - 27.undecided - 33. Post-debate: .@GovAbbott - 43.@BetoORourke - 50.undecided - 7.
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This protest has at least tripled in size in the last two hours. The university banned them from protesting on this South Lawn, but they are setting up tents. Law enforcement having a hard time breaking it up.
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US Congressman @GregCasar joins the protest, calls for ceasefire. “My message to the university is clear: students and faculty are not the enemy. Students and faculty are the university.”
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Back at UT Austin for day two of protests. This one says it is both intended to support Gaza and to condemn the police response yesterday. The crowd is at least 5x larger than the crowd that showed up yesterday at this time. Peaceful, quiet. Very little law enforcement presence.
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UT Austin right now. Protesters and DPS in a standoff on the main drag of campus
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In true @BetoORourke fashion, he returns 45 minutes after the debate for a one-on-three interview with the panel. “I wanted to make sure I had the chance to continue answering your questions.” #TXGovDebate.
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A Category 5 hurricane will hit Houston someday. “If” is not the right question. It’s a matter of when, and it would be catastrophic beyond words if it happens during the status quo. The city’s infrastructure failed a light trial run this week.
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Walkout in Uvalde: Families of children killed at Robb Elementary clearly upset, frustrated by the independent investigation into Uvalde Police officers. After 45 mins, the investigator has not identified any officers who violated policy and recommends exoneration for the Chief
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Cheers in the Texas House as 86 Republican and Democratic members vote to block funding for one of Gov. Abbott’s top priorities: state-funded private tuition subsidies
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Police attempt to push the crowd, arresting one. This is happening directly under the UT Tower. Went here for 4 years, never saw anything like this.
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“I reach out for the daughter I will never hold again.”. @kimrubio21 of Uvalde, Lexi’s mom, representing the victims of Robb Elementary and their families at the DNC
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After a body was found “stuck in” Texas’ buoy barriers, take a look at what these actually look like. There’s a sharp piece of metal in between each buoy. Took this the day before the body was found.
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This Buccee’s is the only thing open for miles around Lake Jackson and it seems half the city is here for a hot bite to eat. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
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It’s chaos now. DPS riot troopers forcefully dispersing protesters, making contact, at least one arrest
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Chaos in the background, and then there’s this guy sunbathing with a book
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This has gotten exponentially more violent and out of control since DPS began dispersing protestors. At least 5 arrested now. Watch:
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One independent voter in the focus group said Abbott’s refusal to allow an audience “swayed him in a negative way against [Abbott].” #TXGovDebate.
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Likely dozens arrested now, many of them carried out by hands and feet. Awaiting updated arrest count from UTPD. A Travis County jail bus was on scene presumably to transport the arrested en masse
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The American Association of University Professors announces a statement of no confidence in UT President Jay Hartzell. “Faculty demand that criminal charges against students and others be dropped”. “End Hamas Now” in the background from a group of Jewish counterprotesters
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DPS appears to be prepping to disperse with a heavy, heavy showing of DPS troopers prepped in riot gear.
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There were about 90 officers in riot gear on this lawn about 10 minutes ago. Not 5 minutes after they left, the protestors returned. Could be a long evening.
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Athletes born and/or trained in Texas have collected 30 medals so far. If Texas was a country, we'd have the sixth-highest medal count. Texans account for a third of USA's medals.
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.@BetoORourke says he will participate in a debate where every question and answer will be in Spanish, “regardless of whether [Gov. Abbott] shows up.” #TribFest22
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Happening now: Protesters gather for abortion rights outside Lubbock County Courthouse
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David brought his UT transcript today. With 87 hours passed, he has been hoping to finish his degree since 1971. We’ve been talking with the Office of Admissions, and they’re working on re-admitting him for next spring. Let’s make 2020 his year @UTAustin #DegreeForDavid
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.@BetoORourke takes the mic in front of a full library in Snyder, Texas - population 11,200.
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Incredible scene here at UT as 50 or so protesters cower together in the center as DPS pulls them from the pack to detain them one by one
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The organizers of this protest, Palestinian Solidarity Committee, reads a list of “campus demands,” including financial divestment from Israeli interests and resignation of UT President Jay Hartzell . “Hartzell out” chant rings not far from his office in the tower
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Breaking: 19 Uvalde families are suing 92 individual @TxDPS officers for their response to the Robb Elementary shooting, after securing $4M in settlements from the City of Uvalde and Uvalde County. I’m in Uvalde for their announcement. Follow along
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NEW: Sources tell @KXAN_News Texas DPS sent state troopers from Houston to Austin to handle the UT protest. A long line of them heading towards the city:. @hueyjayd
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"I didn't think we were gonna make it," 35-year Surfside resident Jimmy Beal said. "I thought it was just a Cat 1. This house has been through Ike, all kinds of stuff. And this wasn't supposed to be that bad, but guess what - it was. It was my mistake. I should've left." #Beryl
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We did it! After 6 years of panhandling on the Drag, David Carter has been readmitted to @UTAustin and will resume his degree this week. Thanks to Longhorns’ support and an article published in @TheAlcalde, a Texas Ex has pledged to pay his full tuition. #DegreeForDavid
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If he’s guilty of criminal trespass, then I am too, as are a dozen other credentialed, on-the-clock journalists who were peacefully recording on a public lawn. These charges will go nowhere.
JUST IN: Our photographer has been charged with criminal trespassing. @fox7austin.
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A lone protester stood in the rotunda shortly after the verdict
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Some retail politics from @DouglasEmhoff and @BetoORourke at an Austin Whataburger - .Emhoff says they had 1,200 at a San Antonio rally last night during this fundraising swing. Had breakfast with Willie Nelson this morning. He ordered a #2 and brought up his California In N Out
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Last year I only saw David on the street corner, so it was pretty surreal to run into him in the Student Activity Center yesterday. After passing 6 hours over the summer, he scored a Pell Grant and is taking 9 more. He hasn’t been on the street corner since. #DegreeForDavid
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David was unrecognizable today. In the last month he got a haircut, shaved, and borrowed a nice shirt. Today, he visited his first class in decades to speak with a history professor about auditing. "Just in time for my 67th birthday," he said. Making progress. #DegreeForDavid
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UT/DPS arresting protesting students. DPS confirms at least 4 arrests so far, students not going anywhere soon.
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I’m on the scene at UT Austin. Protesters sittting with linked arms in the center of the South Lawn as DPS surrounds them. Multiple arrests so far
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14 attorneys filed a grievance with the State Bar today. “Paxton's contact is so egregious that the State Bar has no real option other than moving forward with the inquiry into disbarring Paxton. His conduct is shameful, illegal, and unethical.".#txlege.
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Tonight @KAMCNews: More than 7,000 sick or dying veterans in the Lubbock area stood to benefit from the PACT Act, which stalled after 41 Senate Republicans including Cornyn and Cruz voted against advancing it. “It’s Unamerican,” the VFW says.
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This just played over the intercom across the entire UT Austin campus:. “I command you in the name of the People of the State of Texas to disperse”. Roads leading here are closed, buildings locked down
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Rep. @DrewDarbyTX is one of those rural Republicans who have so-far blocked @GovAbbott's push for private education subsidies. He tells us this is an "Alamo" moment. He's not retreating. "If I'm here in November, December, January, February, March. nothing changes."
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Breaking: The Texas Supreme Court has issued an opinion regarding Kate Cox:. "A woman who meets the medical-necessity exception need not seek a court order to obtain an abortion. Under the law, it is a doctor who must decide. ". More to come.
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We’re at Texas State University where the Palestine Solidarity Committee is holding a sit-in until 7pm. About 100 students here now with a few observers from the administration, no law enforcement visible.
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If you’re a member of the Texas House and you got a call from Ken Paxton, call me :) #txlege.
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Uvalde families address Rep. Ryan Guillen directly, calling on him to hold a vote for the bill to raise the age to 21. He declined to put it to a vote as chair of Community Safety after hours of public testimony #txlege
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DPS announces their presence is criminal trespass and anyone who doesn’t leave will be arrested. This is on the main lawn on Texas’ flagship public university
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He’s going to find Kate Middleton.
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Watch this guide UT released "in celebration of Free Speech Week" 6 months ago. They explain the campus is open for the public to demonstrate - student or not - and the university can impose content-neutral time/place/manner limits. The video is unlisted now, comments off
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“We’re united. No vouchers. No deal.”. House Democrats stand against Gov. Abbott’s calls for private school vouchers ahead of the third special session. #txlege
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This is the most important story I’ve ever written. Many Longhorns know this man as the panhandler on the Drag. I know him as David Richard Carter - a Longhorn with 102 credit hours just waiting for a second chance. Hopefully, now, we all will.
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“We’ve lowered the bar. We’ve lowered the bar for what is acceptable conduct in the state of Texas,” Sen. Royce West says.
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Breaking: An inmate died this afternoon at the Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, TDCJ tells @KXAN_News. Cause of death not yet confirmed. Sources familiar tell us the woman was vomiting and shaking, consistent with heat stroke symptoms. That unit does not have AC in the cells.
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"Texas finishes out of the top five for the first time in the history of CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business.".(It's #6)."Texas’ rankings declined in key categories including Infrastructure, Education, and Life, Health & Inclusion.".
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Protesters emboldened as police move the line back to the heart of campus
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It was President Hartzell himself who called in DPS to respond to the protests yesterday, UT tells me. "That was President Hartzell. That was President Hartzell. Along with his leadership team and UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife," Comms Director Mike Rosen said.
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Warning: This video is graphic and uncensored. This is the Nov. 5 shooting of Chad Read by Kyle Carruth, estranged husband of state judge Ann-Marie Carruth. No charges have been filed. More information and censored video on @KAMCNews below
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On the road from Snyder to Lubbock, @BetoORourke says his willingness to have conversations with rural Texans distinguishes him from the governor. "I think he's in for a big surprise on Election Night when we do better than any Democrat has done in rural Texas in decades."
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New: Whistleblowers at TX HHS say in a new plea to Gov. Abbott that Texans in need of food assistance from SNAP are now waiting for six months before their applications are even assigned for review at the agency. It’s worst delay yet and one they’ve warned about for months. 1/.
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Here is UT President Jay Hartzell’s full statement, explaining the protesters stated they were “going to violate Institutional Rules.” . I’m eager to learn exactly which rules they expected to be broken, and why the anticipation of rule-breaking necessitated today’s response.
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Serious damage in Surfside. The sentiment from those who stayed behind: “That was not a Cat 1… I’ll never do that again.”. The story of one man’s night spent praying, statewide tonight @KXAN_News #Beryl
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Here's a full look at the day at UT Austin. Grateful for a masterful group effort from the @KXAN_News team today. A lot more to tell from this story.
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This is the line for pictures. Organizers counted more than 800 people showing up tonight (@JeremySWallace)
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Another gutwrenching day in Uvalde. “We keep getting kicked when we’re already down,” Kim Rubio said. For these families, it’s another day of disappointment as the city’s investigation into their police finds little individual wrongdoing in the delayed, deadly response to Robb
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“We were going to start a journalism department to get high-quality conservative Aggie students into the journalism world to help direct our message.” . Some Aggies need a refresher on what “journalism” is.
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The El Paso murderer was convicted of federal charges and will go to a federal prison. They actually do have temperature standards. Conversely, 38% of the people in TDCJ’s hot cells are there on nonviolent offenses.
Sure you want to put air conditioning in Texas prisons? #txlege.
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If you listen to one Houstonian's story today, may I offer Gladys Goffney's. We found her raking up the remnants of Beryl from her yard at 92 years old. She's lived through about every Houston storm of the last century, and captured the city's exhaustion. "Breaks your spirit:"
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In an internal email sent to Texas House Democrats today, Caucus Chair Trey Martinez-Fischer expressed concern for DPS’ “heavy-handed” response at UT Austin today. “I am deeply concerned there is no mention of the safety of students as they exercise their 1A rights”
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The same group behind yesterday’s protest is planning another one today at 12:15. It coincides with a pre-planned protest against Texas’ DEI ban - same time, same place. Faculty are joining this one, too. “No business as usual tomorrow,” they wrote.
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.@BetoORourke takes the mic at Mae Simmons Park. Turnout not too shabby for Tuesday at noon in Lubbock, Texas.
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This is one heartbreaking email from a Texas inmate that was shared with me this week, describing 118° heat in areas without AC. “I’m having a really hard time breathing… not sure how long ima last here in the heat or at this unit but I love u”.#txlege
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👀 Some very influential Texans and high-power alumni have taken out this full page ad in @statesman and @dallasnews in support of UT President Hartzell’s response to protests. Signatories include former university presidents, US cabinet secretaries, and megadonors
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At his town hall in Lubbock, @BetoORourke on priorities for West Texas: "There's a lot that's good here, but we need to have leadership that reflects that and makes the most of it."
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“They never look at the price tag of winning a war, and it cost my friends their lives. And then when we come home we have to fight our Congress,” Lubbock VFW leader Benny Guerrero tells us. “It’s unfortunate, it’s unreal, it’s un-American.”
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This is around detention #10
DPS announces their presence is criminal trespass and anyone who doesn’t leave will be arrested. This is on the main lawn on Texas’ flagship public university
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Transportation Sec. @PeteButtigieg just sent this letter to the CEO of Southwest, outlining specific expectations. "The Dept. will use the fullest extent of its investigative and enforcement powers to hold Southwest accountable if it fails to adhere to the promises"
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Joined @BBCNews in London to discuss the protests at UT Austin. The whole world is watching Texas.
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Statement from UT:. “UT Austin does not tolerate disruptions of campus activities or operations like we have seen at other campuses.”
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"The saddest day in Southwest history:" As thousands wait stranded, @SouthwestAir flight attendants saw this coming a long time ago. "Bob Jordan, our CEO, needs to take accountability. Flight attendants will hold the executives accountable," union president @LynMontgomery2 says.
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Police have not forced the protest to disperse/end but have pushed them to the corner of campus. By the Brazos garage now. Originally intended for the center of campus at South Lawn
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Breaking: @RolandForTexas concedes to @ColinAllredTX, ending his campaign as it began — surrounded by families from Uvalde whose children were killed at Robb Elementary. “I stopped crying about elections a long time ago…. But I cry for these families everyday.”
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Among many lessons from last night, I’m struck by how insanely close some of these very low turnout races were. Molly Cook won by 74 votes out of 19k votes cast (and *550k eligible voters*). Dade Phelan by 366. Tony Gonzales by 407. Don’t ever think your vote doesn’t matter.
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Of the 62 people who have died in TDCJ prisons since June 1, a full quarter of them were people younger than 50 who were found unresponsive in their cells or suffered cardiac arrest in the heat. More tonight on State of Texas @KXAN_News and across the state.
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NOW: House Speaker @DadePhelan orders the Sgt. at Arms to clear the gallery after LGBTQ protesters and allies break out into chants against SB 14, which would ban gender affirming care for minors. #txlege
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"This has been the most partisan morning I have spent since I've been commissioner in the last 40 years.". Bexar County bucks @KenPaxtonTX and approves a $400k plan to mail out 200k voter registration forms even as the AG threatens to sue. Voting fights heating up 63 days out:
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Update: official count is 1,000 people. That’s 5x bigger than in March.
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Breaking: Travis County District Judge grants a temporary restraining order in the Roberson case, validating the legislative subpoena and preventing TDCJ from preventing him from testifying -- thus, blocking his execution scheduled in less than 90 minutes. Expecting AG to appeal.
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UT sent a letter to the organizers warning them to cancel this protest. Law enforcement intends to prevent access to the South Lawn
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Chair @TerryCanales40 tells us he expects the House would have enough votes to impeach @KenPaxtonTX with more than half of House Republicans voting in favor. @KXAN_News @themonicamadden
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In a @tedcruz ad, @ColinAllredTX says "If they build that racist wall, my generation is the one that will tear it down.". He told us that quote was "taken out of context" and walls are "an important part" of border security. But, was that quote "taken out of context?" No. 1/2
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Some House Democrats raise the ante on property tax relief: a $20.9 billion package aimed at renters, teacher raises, and a homestead exemption up to $200k. #txlege
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