| 19 Days Left in the Second Special Session of the 87th Legislature |
Gov. Abbott Tests Positive for COVID
Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive Tuesday for COVID-19, according to his office.
Abbott, who is tested daily, is not experiencing any symptoms and isolating at the Governor’s Mansion, according to the statement. He is getting Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment.
Gov. Abbott is fully vaccinated. He received the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 22, 2020.
Texas Gains Most Residents of Any State
Texas saw huge growth in the past 10 years, adding nearly 4 million people, new census data shows.
The 2020 census puts the state’s population at 29,145,505 — a 16% jump from 25.1 million in 2010. Most of that growth happened in urban and suburban counties.
This marks a significant milestone ahead of this year’s redistricting, during which state lawmakers will draw new political maps divvying up seats in Congress and the state House and Senate.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Governor Abbott issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, November 2, 2021, as the special election day for 8 proposed constitutional amendments.
The included amendments range from banning the state from limiting religious services, changing eligibility requirements for judges, and allowing certain organizations to hold raffles at rodeo venues.
Only in Austin…
Waterloo Park is officially reopened, after years of reconstruction, with 11 acres of green space, food truck pavilions, and the new 5,000-seat Moody Amphitheater.
Waterloo Greenway will launch a series of free and low-cost community events in the coming months, such as Día de Los Muertos Festival and Holiday Cinema. Several other events can be found here.
Happening Around Texas…
Big Boy No. 4014, a Union Pacific steam locomotive built in the 1940s to conquer mountains while carrying equipment in support of World War II, is embarking on a 10-state tour that began on Monday.
This is the first time Big Boy has gone on tour since its post-restoration debut in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The tour includes whistle-stops in more than 90 communities.
