Bayliss Wagner
@baylisswagner.bsky.social
Based in Austin, I report on Texas politics for the San Antonio Express-News
Send tips: bwagner.46 on Signal
Send tips: bwagner.46 on Signal
BREAKING: A Trump-appointed federal judge just ruled that Texas *CANNOT* use its new redistricting map in the 2026 Congressional election.
They have to use the 2021 map instead, he ruled. If this is upheld on appeal, it would crater Trump's plan to win 5 new Republican seats in the House. #txlege
They have to use the 2021 map instead, he ruled. If this is upheld on appeal, it would crater Trump's plan to win 5 new Republican seats in the House. #txlege
November 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
BREAKING: A Trump-appointed federal judge just ruled that Texas *CANNOT* use its new redistricting map in the 2026 Congressional election.
They have to use the 2021 map instead, he ruled. If this is upheld on appeal, it would crater Trump's plan to win 5 new Republican seats in the House. #txlege
They have to use the 2021 map instead, he ruled. If this is upheld on appeal, it would crater Trump's plan to win 5 new Republican seats in the House. #txlege
Inbox: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign is hoping to fundraise on Zohran Mamdani's victory
"The Left is coming for our state," their email reads. "Texas is the first line of defense. If we allow socialism to spread here, it can take root anywhere." #txlege
"The Left is coming for our state," their email reads. "Texas is the first line of defense. If we allow socialism to spread here, it can take root anywhere." #txlege
November 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Inbox: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign is hoping to fundraise on Zohran Mamdani's victory
"The Left is coming for our state," their email reads. "Texas is the first line of defense. If we allow socialism to spread here, it can take root anywhere." #txlege
"The Left is coming for our state," their email reads. "Texas is the first line of defense. If we allow socialism to spread here, it can take root anywhere." #txlege
BREAKING: A Waco federal judge has ruled Texas’ HB 900/READER Act unconstitutional & blocked the state from enforcing its requirement that schools remove books labeled “sexually explicit” by vendors.
This makes permanent a temp block that the 5th Circuit upheld. #txlege
This makes permanent a temp block that the 5th Circuit upheld. #txlege
October 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
BREAKING: A Waco federal judge has ruled Texas’ HB 900/READER Act unconstitutional & blocked the state from enforcing its requirement that schools remove books labeled “sexually explicit” by vendors.
This makes permanent a temp block that the 5th Circuit upheld. #txlege
This makes permanent a temp block that the 5th Circuit upheld. #txlege
BREAKING: Trump can deploy the Oregon National Guard to protect an ICE facility in Portland while a lawsuit plays out, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just ruled.
The Texas National Guard wasn't part of the appeal, so they remain blocked from going to OR.
The Texas National Guard wasn't part of the appeal, so they remain blocked from going to OR.
October 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
BREAKING: Trump can deploy the Oregon National Guard to protect an ICE facility in Portland while a lawsuit plays out, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just ruled.
The Texas National Guard wasn't part of the appeal, so they remain blocked from going to OR.
The Texas National Guard wasn't part of the appeal, so they remain blocked from going to OR.
Gov. Greg Abbott will again deploy state troopers and the National Guard to Austin ahead of an anti-Trump "No Kings" protest, claiming the demonstration is linked to antifa #txlege
October 16, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott will again deploy state troopers and the National Guard to Austin ahead of an anti-Trump "No Kings" protest, claiming the demonstration is linked to antifa #txlege
NEW: Some Texas National Guard soldiers deployed to Chicago have been sent home for failing to meet fitness standards after an ABC News photo of heavyset troops went viral.
Comes after Defense Sec & former Fox host Pete Hegseth said he was tired of “fat troops” giving the military a “bad look.”
Comes after Defense Sec & former Fox host Pete Hegseth said he was tired of “fat troops” giving the military a “bad look.”
October 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
NEW: Some Texas National Guard soldiers deployed to Chicago have been sent home for failing to meet fitness standards after an ABC News photo of heavyset troops went viral.
Comes after Defense Sec & former Fox host Pete Hegseth said he was tired of “fat troops” giving the military a “bad look.”
Comes after Defense Sec & former Fox host Pete Hegseth said he was tired of “fat troops” giving the military a “bad look.”
BREAKING: 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago has allowed the Texas National Guard to remain federalized, saying troops "do not need to return to their home states" unless further ordered by a court.
But they denied Trump's request to let active deployment continue. #txlege
But they denied Trump's request to let active deployment continue. #txlege
October 11, 2025 at 7:41 PM
BREAKING: 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago has allowed the Texas National Guard to remain federalized, saying troops "do not need to return to their home states" unless further ordered by a court.
But they denied Trump's request to let active deployment continue. #txlege
But they denied Trump's request to let active deployment continue. #txlege
In appeal filed late last night, the Trump administration argued recent episodes of violence against ICE agents make National Guard protection necessary in Chicago.
They also argue federal courts don’t have the legal authority to second-guess Trump’s military judgments.
They also argue federal courts don’t have the legal authority to second-guess Trump’s military judgments.
October 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In appeal filed late last night, the Trump administration argued recent episodes of violence against ICE agents make National Guard protection necessary in Chicago.
They also argue federal courts don’t have the legal authority to second-guess Trump’s military judgments.
They also argue federal courts don’t have the legal authority to second-guess Trump’s military judgments.
TX National Guard deployment: Chicago judge's 51-page written ruling is out
"Not even the Founding Father most ardently in favor of a strong federal government believed that one state’s militia could be sent to another state for the purposes of political retribution," she writes #txlege
"Not even the Founding Father most ardently in favor of a strong federal government believed that one state’s militia could be sent to another state for the purposes of political retribution," she writes #txlege
October 10, 2025 at 10:19 PM
TX National Guard deployment: Chicago judge's 51-page written ruling is out
"Not even the Founding Father most ardently in favor of a strong federal government believed that one state’s militia could be sent to another state for the purposes of political retribution," she writes #txlege
"Not even the Founding Father most ardently in favor of a strong federal government believed that one state’s militia could be sent to another state for the purposes of political retribution," she writes #txlege
UPDATE: The Pentagon just told me that "the federalized National Guard personnel will remain in a federalized status," suggesting Texas National Guard members are still activated in Chicago. #txlege
October 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
UPDATE: The Pentagon just told me that "the federalized National Guard personnel will remain in a federalized status," suggesting Texas National Guard members are still activated in Chicago. #txlege
This is a doozy: A Chicago federal judge blocked all defendants *EXCEPT PRESIDENT TRUMP* from federalizing & deploying the National Guard in Illinois in written order just issued.
I have no idea how this would be implemented. More TK. #txlege bsky.app/profile/did:...
I have no idea how this would be implemented. More TK. #txlege bsky.app/profile/did:...
October 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
This is a doozy: A Chicago federal judge blocked all defendants *EXCEPT PRESIDENT TRUMP* from federalizing & deploying the National Guard in Illinois in written order just issued.
I have no idea how this would be implemented. More TK. #txlege bsky.app/profile/did:...
I have no idea how this would be implemented. More TK. #txlege bsky.app/profile/did:...
Breaking: Texas Attorney General & U.S. Senate candidate @KenPaxtonTX says his office will begin "undercover operations to infiltrate and uproot leftist terror cells" in the state.
"There can be no compromise with those who want us dead," he says #txlege
"There can be no compromise with those who want us dead," he says #txlege
October 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Breaking: Texas Attorney General & U.S. Senate candidate @KenPaxtonTX says his office will begin "undercover operations to infiltrate and uproot leftist terror cells" in the state.
"There can be no compromise with those who want us dead," he says #txlege
"There can be no compromise with those who want us dead," he says #txlege
A fellow at an influential conservative think tank, the Manhattan Institute, strongly disagrees with Gov. Abbott on a
TXST student's expulsion for mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination.
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social calls the expulsion "blatantly unconstitutional" & says a lawsuit is coming #txlege
TXST student's expulsion for mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination.
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social calls the expulsion "blatantly unconstitutional" & says a lawsuit is coming #txlege
September 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
A fellow at an influential conservative think tank, the Manhattan Institute, strongly disagrees with Gov. Abbott on a
TXST student's expulsion for mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination.
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social calls the expulsion "blatantly unconstitutional" & says a lawsuit is coming #txlege
TXST student's expulsion for mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination.
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social calls the expulsion "blatantly unconstitutional" & says a lawsuit is coming #txlege
Breaking: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21 y/o. Comes after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on a bill to do the same.
TBD whether this will be challenged in court #txlege
TBD whether this will be challenged in court #txlege
September 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Breaking: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21 y/o. Comes after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on a bill to do the same.
TBD whether this will be challenged in court #txlege
TBD whether this will be challenged in court #txlege
NEW: The Marine sued by a Corpus Christi woman for allegedly spiking her drink with abortion pills has countersued, accusing her of making “scientifically implausible” & “implausible” claims.
“Her lethal lies… read like the screenplay written for Glenn Close in the movie Fatal Attraction” #txlege
“Her lethal lies… read like the screenplay written for Glenn Close in the movie Fatal Attraction” #txlege
September 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
NEW: The Marine sued by a Corpus Christi woman for allegedly spiking her drink with abortion pills has countersued, accusing her of making “scientifically implausible” & “implausible” claims.
“Her lethal lies… read like the screenplay written for Glenn Close in the movie Fatal Attraction” #txlege
“Her lethal lies… read like the screenplay written for Glenn Close in the movie Fatal Attraction” #txlege
Paxton announced he filed for emergency relief earlier today, accusing the 15th Court of Appeals of making a "flawed" and "political" decision.
Worth noting: All judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the 15th Court of Appeals are conservative.
Worth noting: All judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the 15th Court of Appeals are conservative.
August 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Paxton announced he filed for emergency relief earlier today, accusing the 15th Court of Appeals of making a "flawed" and "political" decision.
Worth noting: All judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the 15th Court of Appeals are conservative.
Worth noting: All judges on the Texas Supreme Court and the 15th Court of Appeals are conservative.
BREAKING: The Texas Supreme Court has denied AG Ken Paxton's petition to reverse the 15th COA's decision in his case against @betoorourke.bsky.social over quorum break funding.
The 15th COA had put the brakes on discovery & delayed a hearing in the case against O'Rourke. #txlege
The 15th COA had put the brakes on discovery & delayed a hearing in the case against O'Rourke. #txlege
August 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
BREAKING: The Texas Supreme Court has denied AG Ken Paxton's petition to reverse the 15th COA's decision in his case against @betoorourke.bsky.social over quorum break funding.
The 15th COA had put the brakes on discovery & delayed a hearing in the case against O'Rourke. #txlege
The 15th COA had put the brakes on discovery & delayed a hearing in the case against O'Rourke. #txlege
Breaking: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued cease-and-desist letters to three organizations he accuses of mailing abortion pills into Texas.
The letters say the orgs will be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law” if they don’t comply; it’s unclear how that would go.
The letters say the orgs will be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law” if they don’t comply; it’s unclear how that would go.
August 20, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Breaking: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued cease-and-desist letters to three organizations he accuses of mailing abortion pills into Texas.
The letters say the orgs will be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law” if they don’t comply; it’s unclear how that would go.
The letters say the orgs will be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law” if they don’t comply; it’s unclear how that would go.
NOW: U.S. Rep. @gregcasar.bsky.social & @doggett.house.gov at the Texas governor’s mansion speaking against R-led mid-decade redistricting effort & Gov. Abbott’s threat to remove quorum-busting Dems from office.
Their districts could be combined under new map #txlege
Their districts could be combined under new map #txlege
August 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
NOW: U.S. Rep. @gregcasar.bsky.social & @doggett.house.gov at the Texas governor’s mansion speaking against R-led mid-decade redistricting effort & Gov. Abbott’s threat to remove quorum-busting Dems from office.
Their districts could be combined under new map #txlege
Their districts could be combined under new map #txlege
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, isn't satisfied with Judge Brown's response. Says he hasn't ever "seen such a disconnect" between how residents say happened and what their officials are saying.
" I would hope you would avail the opportunity have a discussion" with them, he says.
" I would hope you would avail the opportunity have a discussion" with them, he says.
July 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, isn't satisfied with Judge Brown's response. Says he hasn't ever "seen such a disconnect" between how residents say happened and what their officials are saying.
" I would hope you would avail the opportunity have a discussion" with them, he says.
" I would hope you would avail the opportunity have a discussion" with them, he says.
#txlege update: It's past 5 p.m., and we are now 7.5 hours into the Kerrville flood hearing.
13 invited witnesses down, 12 officials + experts to go.
An untold number of public witnesses, including flood survivors, have not yet spoken.
Resuming updates in this🧵
13 invited witnesses down, 12 officials + experts to go.
An untold number of public witnesses, including flood survivors, have not yet spoken.
Resuming updates in this🧵
July 31, 2025 at 10:10 PM
#txlege update: It's past 5 p.m., and we are now 7.5 hours into the Kerrville flood hearing.
13 invited witnesses down, 12 officials + experts to go.
An untold number of public witnesses, including flood survivors, have not yet spoken.
Resuming updates in this🧵
13 invited witnesses down, 12 officials + experts to go.
An untold number of public witnesses, including flood survivors, have not yet spoken.
Resuming updates in this🧵
Next is William "Bud" Thomas, Ingram EOC, who also reports to Kerr County sheriff.
He says he was ill on July 3 but mobilized nonetheless when he got a call at 5:30 am July 4.
He says he was ill on July 3 but mobilized nonetheless when he got a call at 5:30 am July 4.
July 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Next is William "Bud" Thomas, Ingram EOC, who also reports to Kerr County sheriff.
He says he was ill on July 3 but mobilized nonetheless when he got a call at 5:30 am July 4.
He says he was ill on July 3 but mobilized nonetheless when he got a call at 5:30 am July 4.
In the beginning of the hearing, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick choked up while speaking of July 4 floods: "That day will haunt me for the rest of my life. Like you, we all feel this pain... With this hearing, we're hoping to learn, 'How we move forward?'"
July 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In the beginning of the hearing, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick choked up while speaking of July 4 floods: "That day will haunt me for the rest of my life. Like you, we all feel this pain... With this hearing, we're hoping to learn, 'How we move forward?'"
NOW: Marathon #txlege flood hearing is kicking off in Kerrville.
Lawmakers will hear from officials, meteorologists and flood victims. Will share updates on this thread as the day goes on:🧵
Lawmakers will hear from officials, meteorologists and flood victims. Will share updates on this thread as the day goes on:🧵
July 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NOW: Marathon #txlege flood hearing is kicking off in Kerrville.
Lawmakers will hear from officials, meteorologists and flood victims. Will share updates on this thread as the day goes on:🧵
Lawmakers will hear from officials, meteorologists and flood victims. Will share updates on this thread as the day goes on:🧵
Invited testimony at tomorrow’s #txlege joint Disaster Preparedness & Flooding committees will include several state agency heads, the Texas Water Development Board, river authority officials and a panel on emergency communications, per agenda:
July 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Invited testimony at tomorrow’s #txlege joint Disaster Preparedness & Flooding committees will include several state agency heads, the Texas Water Development Board, river authority officials and a panel on emergency communications, per agenda: