After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills.
Brandon Formby
Brandon Formby works with The Texas Tribune’s beat editors and reporters to bring Texans the news, analysis and explanatory journalism they need to put pressing issues into perspective. Previously, as an editor on the news desk, he helped steer coverage of legislative sessions, natural disasters, prolonged power outages, mass shootings and the coronavirus pandemic. As a reporter, he covered urban affairs. Before joining the Tribune in 2016, he reported on transportation, politics and local government for The Dallas Morning News. Brandon grew up in Plano and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Rangers launch criminal probe into Dallas’ pension shortfall
Mayor Mike Rawlings blames former pension administration for a “grave breach of trust,” but it’s unclear who is the target of the state inquiry.
Posted in
2016 Year in Review
Biggest transportation battles of 2016 to continue in the new year
After Uber left Austin, state lawmakers are now poised to take up regulations of ride-hailing companies. They may also look at a high-speed rail developer’s ability to use eminent domain for a Dallas-Houston bullet train.
Posted in
Politics
Despair, meteors and f-bombs: Texans’ write-in voters had a lot to say
Texans who weren’t interested in any of the presidential candidates on the ballot wrote in everything from Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz to Chuck Norris and Harambe. Some left colorful messages for election officials.
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Transportation
As Houston’s overhaul draws new riders, other cities mulling bus changes
Houston’s bus overhaul, planned for years but rolled out literally overnight in 2015, has led to an increase in bus ridership, bucking state and national trends. Many are taking notice.
Posted in
Economy
Billions in pension shortfalls threatening Texas cities’ budgets
A recent report identified Dallas and Houston as having among the highest pension shortfalls among local governments in the country.
Posted in
Economy
Texans fear Trump’s highways plan will create more toll roads
The president-elect’s proposals to expand and fix up U.S. highways seem to be a recipe for more toll roads. Texans from both parties hope to change that.
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Politics
A tight North Texas legislative race gets a recount
Republican State Rep. Rodney Anderson leads Democratic challenger Terry Meza by 64 votes in a western Dallas County Texas House district that’s accustomed to close contests. Now, there will be a recount.
Posted in
Economy
HUD gives Dallas deadline to prove millions were properly spent on affordable housing
The federal agency began asking questions about how Dallas housing officials steered funds after a city audit concluded that “incomplete” record keeping made it impossible to confirm rules were followed.
Posted in
Politics
Democrat Neave ousts Republican Sheets as Anderson narrowly hangs on in Dallas County
Four incumbent Republican state representatives in the Democratic county were vying to keep their seats, and three managed to do it.