https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/The latest news by Kayla Guo.enMon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/Democrats said the walkout inspired a national protest against GOP redistricting. But it also greased the path for other bills they oppose and unified Texas Republicans.By Kayla GuoMon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House, vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/Republican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas.By Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsFri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/State lawmakers gather around Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gathers the senators at his desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-legislature-flood-response-bills-camp/Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature.By Emily Foxhall, Ayden Runnels and Kayla GuoThu, 21 Aug 2025 17:43:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-legislature-flood-response-bills-camp/Parents of the Camp Mystic girls who died during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025, fill seats in the Senate chamber Thursday night to view the passage of Senate Bill 1, called the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.Parents of Camp Mystic girls lost during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025 pack seats in the Senate Chamber to view passage of Senate Bill 1 which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoWed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Democratic state lawmakers line up to question Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, as the Texas House votes to pass a Republican-led, mid-decade redistricting effort that was delayed by a two-week Democratic walkout, on Aug. 20, 2025.Democratic State Representatives line up to question State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during the second reading of HB4 in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-dps-escort-redistricting-quorum/The Fort Worth Democrat refused to sign a permission slip that allowed quorum-breaking lawmakers to leave the Capitol while being shadowed by a state trooper.By Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsTue, 19 Aug 2025 11:05:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-dps-escort-redistricting-quorum/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/The San Antonio Democrat was first elected to the Legislature in 2019.By Alejandro Serrano and Kayla GuoMon, 18 Aug 2025 14:46:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets off a charter bus from the Austin airport outside the State Archives building on the east side of the Texas Capitol upon their return to Austin following a two-week quorum break, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets off a charter bus from the Austin airport outside the State Archives building on the east side of the Texas Capitol upon their return to Austin following a two-week quorum break, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-democrats-return-redistricting-map-illinois/After two weeks out of state, Democratic lawmakers returned to Austin, paving the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map.By Kayla GuoMon, 18 Aug 2025 10:04:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-democrats-return-redistricting-map-illinois/Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, and other Texas Democrats who left the state earlier this month return to the Capitol on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. Their return paves the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map, which could net the GOP up to five more seats in Texas.Texas Democrats, who left the state earlier this month in protest of proposed congressional maps, return to the Capitol on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-abbott-second-special-session-legislature-redistricting-flooding/The second session is set to consider the same agenda that stalled in the first, with redistricting and disaster response at the top of the governor’s priorities.By Kayla GuoFri, 15 Aug 2025 11:07:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-abbott-second-special-session-legislature-redistricting-flooding/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin. Abbott, among several topics, addressed California Gov. Gavin Newsom's comments and actions regarding redistricting. Earlier in the day, the Texas House adjourned the first special session sine die and Abbott immediately called for a second special session to begin.Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Abbott spoke about Texas’s response to screw worm as well addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom comments and actions regarding redistricting.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-floods-political-redistricting-battle/With Democrats’ walkout over redistricting bringing the House to a standstill, both parties are accusing each other of abandoning Central Texas flood victims.By Kayla Guo and Emily FoxhallTue, 12 Aug 2025 14:45:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-floods-political-redistricting-battle/The House chamber on Aug. 5, 2025, on the second day the chamber failed to have a quorum after most House Democrats fled the state to halt a GOP congressional redistricting effort.Texas Representatives look towards the voting board as attendance is called in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 in Austin. It was the second day that representatives failed to meet quorum after Texas Democrats left the state in protest of new congressional maps.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/attorney-general-ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas/Paxton sued O’Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, last week, arguing that the group was deceptively fundraising for and illegally supporting Texas Democrats’ walkout.By Kayla GuoTue, 12 Aug 2025 11:25:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/attorney-general-ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas/Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks during the People vs. the Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks during the People vs. the Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.By Gabby Birenbaum and Kayla GuoFri, 08 Aug 2025 14:03:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, smiles during a redistricting rally at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Friday, July 25, 2025.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin smiles during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/texas-democrats-legislature-redistricting-congressional-maps/Democrats concede there’s only so much they can do to keep Texas from redrawing its maps. But they want to encourage blue states to retaliate.By Kayla GuoFri, 08 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/texas-democrats-legislature-redistricting-congressional-maps/Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a press conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Ill., on Aug. 5, 2025.Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a press conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Ill., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-live-updates/Texas Democrats left the state to stop a Republican-led effort to change the state’s congressional boundaries, setting off a national conversation.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Gabby Birenbaum and Kayla GuoMon, 04 Aug 2025 13:54:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-live-updates/U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., center, stands with other Democratic members of Congress and Texas House Democrats during a press conference at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., center, stands with other Democratic members of Congress and Texas House Democrats during a press conference at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-democrats-quorum-break-redistricting-map/The lawmakers’ absence means the lower chamber won’t have enough members present to function, stalling passage of a draft map Democrats have condemned as a political power grab.By Kayla Guo, Eleanor Klibanoff and Gabby BirenbaumSun, 03 Aug 2025 15:51:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-democrats-quorum-break-redistricting-map/Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks during a press conference alongside dozens of fellow Texas lawmakers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Carol Stream, Ill., on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks during a press conference alongside dozens of fellow Texas lawmakers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Carol Stream, Ill., on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-redistricting-gop-gains/The new district lines could be considered by the entire state House as soon as early next week.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Kayla Guo and Gabby BirenbaumFri, 01 Aug 2025 16:15:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-redistricting-gop-gains/State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, makes introductory remarks during the Texas House special committee hearing on redistricting on Aug. 1, 2025.State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christ, makes introductory remarks during the Texas House special committee hearing on redistricting August 1, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/The new proposed lines would also prevent few, if any, opportunities for Democrats hoping that an aggressive gerrymander could backfire on Republicans.By Kayla Guo and Gabby Birenbaum, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 31 Jul 2025 17:16:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al Green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch.From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers BranchThe Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-redistricting-congressional-districts-past-mistakes-overreach/Spurred by President Donald Trump’s political team, Texas lawmakers will try to redraw the state’s congressional map to boost Republicans — but some GOP incumbents are uneasy.By Kayla GuoThu, 10 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-redistricting-congressional-districts-past-mistakes-overreach/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/colin-allred-texas-us-senate-democrat-2026-cornyn-paxton/Allred lost to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last year by 8.5 points while outperforming the top of the ticket.By Kayla GuoTue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/colin-allred-texas-us-senate-democrat-2026-cornyn-paxton/Then-U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, at a Kamala Harris campaign rally at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.Then-U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, at a Kamala Harris campaign rally at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law.By Kayla Guo, Eleanor Klibanoff and Paul CoblerFri, 27 Jun 2025 11:18:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.”Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.”Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/Ruben Gutierrez is challenging the constitutionality of a state law that restricts death row inmates from seeking tests that he says will prove he’s not a murderer.By Ayden Runnels and Kayla GuoThu, 26 Jun 2025 15:35:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/