https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/The latest news by Kayla Guo.enWed, 28 May 2025 19:39:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/bail-undocumented-immigrants-texas-house/Supporters said the proposal, which sought to amend the state constitution, would improve safety. Critics said it would violate due process and unfairly target minority groups.By Kayla GuoWed, 28 May 2025 19:39:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/bail-undocumented-immigrants-texas-house/The measure failed in the House when critics argued that it would unfairly target migrants and violate due process.An undocumented migrant after being arrested in Kinney County on Nov. 9, 2021.Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune/ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-house-bail-repeat-offenders/Democrats declined to support Senate Joint Resolution 87, which sprinted through the Senate and needed 100 votes to clear the lower chamber.By Kayla GuoMon, 26 May 2025 14:35:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-house-bail-repeat-offenders/Those opposing the bail measure said it would erode due process and they cited examples of Texans who have been wrongfully accused of crimes.Groveton, Texas: Inmates sleep in their cell on June 4, 2024 at the Trinity County Sheriff’s office and jail in Groveton, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas TribuneMark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-bail-overhaul-house-passage/The House passage of the measure asking voters to amend the state Constitution to tighten the state’s bail laws hands a major policy win to Gov. Greg Abbott.By Kayla GuoMon, 19 May 2025 17:24:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-bail-overhaul-house-passage/State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, urged the Texas House to vote for legislation to require judges to deny bail to certain defendants accused of violent offenses.State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, urges his fellow representatives to vote for his bill regarding bail bonds in Texas on May 19, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-house-deadline-winners-losers/Some measures that made it through before midnight dealt with jail bonds, an unconstitutional ban on gay sex, and the liability of vaccine manufacturers.By Kayla Guo and Jasper SchererFri, 16 May 2025 00:27:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/texas-house-deadline-winners-losers/Lawmakers gather during a point of order on May 15, 2025. House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows presided over a busy week in the lower chamber as a key deadline came -- and went -- at the end of Thursday.House Speaker Dustin Burrows speaks at his dais as house members gather during a point of order on May 15, 2025. May 15 was the final day for the House to file bills.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-junk-science-bill-house-david-cook/Last year, lawmakers waded into a dramatic feud over the case of death row inmate Robert Roberson, seen as the embodiment of the failures of Texas’ junk science law.By Kayla GuoWed, 14 May 2025 17:18:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-junk-science-bill-house-david-cook/Former Detective Brian Wharton testifies during a Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in Austin. Wharton was an investigator in the case of the death of Nikki Roberson and has expressed his doubts of Roberson's guilt and agrees with stopping his execution. With his scheduled execution drawing closer, a hearing debating the certainty of Roberson's guilt and there is a bipartisan push to stay his execution.Former Detective Brian Wharton testifies during a Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in Austin. Wharton was an investigator in the case of the death of Nikki Roberson and has expressed his doubts of Roberson's guilt and agrees with stopping his execution. With his scheduled execution drawing closer, a hearing debating the certainty of Roberson's guilt and there is a bipartisan push to stay his execution. Sergio Flores for The Texas TribuneSergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-legislature-house-bail-judges/Amending the Texas Constitution to crack down on the state’s bail practices has been an elusive priority of Gov. Greg Abbott’s for three consecutive sessions.By Kayla GuoMon, 12 May 2025 21:32:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-legislature-house-bail-judges/An Austin Bail Bonds II sign near Interstate 35 on Feb. 5, 2021.An Austin Bail Bonds II sign near Interstate 35 on Feb. 5, 2021.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-house-children-library-explicit-material/The bill would bar those under 18 from checking out books with sexually explicit material without parental permission.By Kayla GuoFri, 09 May 2025 19:02:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-house-children-library-explicit-material/Ector County Library's fiction section includes novels, anime, science fiction, westerns, and more.Ector County Library's fiction section includes novels, anime, science fiction, westerns, and more. Jacob Ford for The Texas TribuneJacob Ford for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-bail-accused-defendants-constitution/While Gov. Greg Abbott steps up his push for stricter bail rules, critics seek a balance between the rights of the accused and the goal of keeping dangerous defendants behind bars.By Kayla Guo and Jasper SchererWed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-bail-accused-defendants-constitution/The Republican proposal to amend the Texas Constitution is intended to limit bail as an option for some people accused of violent crimes.A+ Discount Bail Bonds in San Marcos on Sept. 8, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-doge-bill-signed-abbott/The first bill to reach Abbott’s desk this session creates a regulation-cutting state agency under the purview of the governor. It was passed with bipartisan supermajorities.By Kayla GuoWed, 23 Apr 2025 14:49:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-doge-bill-signed-abbott/Flanked by House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott signs his first bill into law this session on April 23, 2025. The bill establishes a DOGE office in state government. Looking on from behind are the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and its author, state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford.Flanked by House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott signs his first bill into law this session on April 23, 2025. Senate bill 14 establishes a DOGE office in state government. Looking on from behind are the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and its author, state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/18/dan-patrick-school-vouchers-house-senate/The lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.By Jaden Edison and Kayla GuoFri, 18 Apr 2025 12:45:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/18/dan-patrick-school-vouchers-house-senate/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he wants the Texas Senate to approve the House version of the school voucher bill, a step that would speed the legislation to the governor for his signature.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference regarding school vouchers on March 25, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-ken-paxton-back-pay/The vote instructs lawmakers who are negotiating a budget with the Senate to advocate for awarding Paxton the salary he missed while impeached over corruption allegations.By Kayla GuoTue, 15 Apr 2025 12:30:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-ken-paxton-back-pay/During his impeachment, Attorney General Ken Paxton was on leave without pay. Since his acquittal in the Texas Senate, supporters have pushed for him to received that back pay.Ken Paxton stands with attorneys Tony Buzbee and Mitch Little during prayer on 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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/texas-house-budget-approval/The lower chamber’s plan largely aligns with the Senate’s proposal and puts billions toward teacher pay, border security and property tax cuts.By Jasper Scherer, Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsFri, 11 Apr 2025 03:09:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/texas-house-budget-approval/Texas House Parliamentarian Sharon Carter, listens as state Reps. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton (from left), Richard Hayes, R-Hickory Creek, Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, negotiate in the lower chamber on April 10, 2025.House Parliamentarian Sharon Carter, left, listens as state Reps: Cody Vasut, Richard Hayes, Tom Oliverson and Trey Martinez Fischer, negotiate in the Texas House on April 10, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-house-budget-day/Among the hundreds of amendments were ones that focused on school vouchers, the attorney general’s office and the Texas Lottery.By Jasper Scherer and Kayla GuoThu, 10 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-house-budget-day/The Texas House voted on a $337 billion state budget early Friday.Texas House of Representatives Members convene in the House Chamber in Austin on April 10, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-measles-legislation-vaccines/Much of the outbreak is concentrated in the districts of Texas House leaders, including Speaker Dustin Burrows. The crisis appears to have done little to change support for “vaccine choice.”By Kayla GuoWed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-measles-legislation-vaccines/Signs in English, Spanish and German inform people about measles prevention in the Gaines County Court House in Seminole, Texas.Signage in English, Spanish and German inform people of measles prevention in the Gaines County Court House in Seminole on April 6, 2025.Justin Rex for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/greg-abbott-special-election-sylvester-turner/The decision to wait until November means a narrowly divided Congress will be down a Democratic representative for most of 2025.By Jasper Scherer, The Texas Tribune, Natalia Contreras, Votebeat, and Kayla Guo, The Texas TribuneMon, 07 Apr 2025 16:34:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/greg-abbott-special-election-sylvester-turner/Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the Federalist Society during an event at The University of Texas Law School in Austin on April 3, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the Federalist Society during an event at The University of Texas Law School in Austin on April 3, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/ken-paxton-corruption-clear-senate-campaign/The federal criminal investigation into corruption allegations was the most serious inquiry Paxton faced. Its end nearly clears his slate of numerous legal battles.By Kayla Guo and Katharine WilsonThu, 03 Apr 2025 17:18:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/ken-paxton-corruption-clear-senate-campaign/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has all but declared a run for U.S. Senate. As a legal cloud created by a federal investigation lifts, he can see a clearer path toward a primary campaign against the incumbent, John Cornyn.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/02/justin-berry-texas-senate-confirmation/One Senate Democrat joined Republicans, providing the margin needed to approve Justin Berry to the state law-enforcement board.By Kayla GuoWed, 02 Apr 2025 18:57:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/02/justin-berry-texas-senate-confirmation/Austin Police officer Justin Berry during a protest in front of Austin City Hall on May 31, 2020. His actions led most Democrats in the state Senate to oppose his nomination to a state board.Former Austin Police officer Justin Berry holds a weapon with non-lethal rounds during a protest in front of Austin City Hall on May 31, 2020. The protestors had gathered in response to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/29/texas-democrats-party-chair/Scudder takes over after a difficult 2024 election for the party.By Kayla Guo and Renzo DowneySat, 29 Mar 2025 12:12:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/29/texas-democrats-party-chair/Newly elected party chair Kendall Scudder addresses Texas Democratic Party members during an election in Austin on March 29, 2025.Newly elected party chair Kendall Scudder addresses Texas Democratic Party members during an election in Austin, Texas on Saturday, March 29, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/28/texas-democrats-vote-new-chair/The State Democratic Executive Committee will meet on Saturday to elect the successor to party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.By Renzo Downey and Kayla GuoFri, 28 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/28/texas-democrats-vote-new-chair/The first day of the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso, Texas on June 6, 2024.The first day of the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso, Texas on June 6, 2024.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/27/texas-legislature-thc-ban-dan-patrick-special-session/Only Gov. Greg Abbott can call for a special session. But in his role presiding over the Texas Senate, Patrick can block any bill from passing, giving him leverage to compel overtime sessions by killing must-pass legislation.By Jasper Scherer and Kayla GuoThu, 27 Mar 2025 10:02:18 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/27/texas-legislature-thc-ban-dan-patrick-special-session/Lt. Governor Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune