Will a years-in-the-making Texas bullet train be derailed? In our three-part series in partnership with The Dallas Morning News, we explored the obstacles facing a private firm’s plans to build America’s first high-speed rail line.
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
2017 Year in Review
Amid Texas transportation battles, toll lanes scrapped while bullet train survived
Texans successfully fought back against tolled highway projects in 2017. Meanwhile, motorists are now forbidden to text while driving and ride-hailing companies emerged from the legislative session with a major victory.
Posted in
Transportation
Some Texans dodge bullet train, others are square in its path
Federal officials identified the likely route a planned Dallas-Houston bullet train will take through rural counties as it connects the state’s two largest urban areas.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
How much damage did Harvey do to Texas homes? There may never be an exact answer.
As state officials vie for limited federal disaster dollars, housing advocates fear Texans with destroyed homes may fall through a patchwork of government agencies.
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Politics
Amid blowback over accounting maneuver, TxDOT drops financing idea for several toll projects
Late Thursday, transportation officials released a statement saying they were dropping several toll projects from long-term plans due to public response.
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Politics
TxDOT eyeing accounting trick to get around toll road prohibition
A state lawmaker has asked the attorney general to weigh in on whether the state’s transportation agency can use voter-approved funds to rebuild or expand highways that will also include toll lanes alongside them.
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In Harvey's Wake
Coastal officials say feds failing Harvey victims on short-term housing
Officials from battered towns and counties — including one who said he’s had suicidal thoughts — told lawmakers that too many residents are sleeping in tents and hotels more than two months after Hurricane Harvey.
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In Harvey's Wake
$500 million in Ike relief is still unspent. Will Texas do better after Harvey?
State officials want as few parameters as possible on federal disaster relief funds, but housing advocates say that could lead to public works projects getting federal funds over Texans who lost everything.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Harvey’s next blow: Home values, tax collections expected to drop
Some — but not all — southeast Texans could see property tax breaks after the hurricane damaged their homes. The inequity has reignited intra-GOP tensions from earlier this year over disaster-related property tax re-assessments.
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In Harvey's Wake
Texans shouldn’t expect enough federal money to fully rebuild after Harvey
State officials estimate that it will take $60 billion in long-term federal funds to repair and replace the houses, buildings and infrastructure Harvey damaged.