Who Judges the Judges? In Texas, an opaque system undermines accountability for judges. Texas Observer · May 30, 2023
First Thing: White House pushes for support on debt ceiling deal Some in Congress question if they received enough concessions in bipartisan deal. Plus, Cop28 president accused of ‘greenwashing’ The Guardian - UK · May 30, 2023
In first session after Dobbs ruling, Texas lawmakers provide more support for pregnant and parenting college students Now that Texas has a near-total ban on abortion, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are trying to make sure colleges are serving students who are pregnant or have children. The Texas Tribune · May 30, 2023
GOP's "shameless power grab" in Texas "These bills are not about election reform . . . They are entirely about suppressing voters' voices" Salon · May 30, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott calls immediate special session to address property taxes and border issues Abbott noted many bills that were passed during the regular session, which ended around 6 p.m. Monday, but he added that “many critical items remain” and will require multiple special sessions. The Texas Tribune · May 30, 2023
The regular Texas legislative session started with a record budget surplus and ended with an impeached attorney general The 2023 legislative session started with a $32.7 billion surplus. It was mired in Republican infighting and multiple scandals. Then, the House impeached the state’s attorney general. The Texas Tribune · May 30, 2023
Texas lawmakers fail to reach last-minute deal to cut property taxes After negotiations that became tense and public, the House and Senate fell short of delivering on one of the biggest legislative priorities for Republicans in the regular legislative session. The Texas Tribune · May 29, 2023
Abbott signs into law CROWN Act banning race-based hair discrimination Gov. Greg Abbott over the weekend signed into law a bill prohibiting race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies. It goes into effect in September. The Texas Tribune · May 29, 2023
Paxton impeachment exposes GOP fissures Nowhere is the GOP chasm more apparent than the fight over Paxton’s future Salon · May 29, 2023
Texas’s use of ‘invasion’ clause against immigrants is racist and dangerous, rights groups say Republican governor Greg Abbott invoked state clause after likening migrants to a public foreign enemy, but legal experts say it’s ‘unprecedented and extreme’ The Guardian - US · May 29, 2023
Lawyer currently leading Texas attorney general’s office has been swept up in Ken Paxton’s legal challenges Brent Webster came to the Texas attorney general’s office in 2020. His work as Ken Paxton’s top aide was quickly mired in controversy. The Texas Tribune · May 29, 2023
Late deal sends new economic incentives for businesses to governor After the previous, widely criticized program expired in December, lawmakers worked hard to craft a plan that won overwhelming support in both chambers. The Texas Tribune · May 29, 2023
Ken Paxton impeachment fight exposes deep fissures among Texas Republicans As the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and party’s far right came into focus. The Texas Tribune · May 29, 2023
Republican priorities on school choice, border fail, but late-night compromises resurrect others Rushed agreements and suspended rules rescue legislation on the electric grid and economic incentives for companies, and work is still being done on a property tax proposal. The Texas Tribune · May 28, 2023
The Independent UK · May 28, 2023 Fight still ahead for Texas' Ken Paxton after historic impeachment deepens GOP divisions The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is plunging Republicans into a bruising fight over whether to banish one of their own in America’s biggest red state
The Texas Tribune · May 28, 2023 Historic $321.3 billion Texas state budget heads to comptroller About $17 billion worth of commitments lawmakers made in the new budget were snagged in policy fights between the Texas House and Senate on Saturday night.
The Texas Tribune · May 28, 2023 No teacher raises, no vouchers: Lawmakers fail to reach compromise on school funding bill The end of House Bill 100 is a bittersweet victory for public education advocates who vehemently oppose school voucher programs but lament that schools won’t get additional funds to pay for teacher raises or balance their budgets.
The Texas Tribune · May 28, 2023 Gov. Greg Abbott can pick a fill-in attorney general. He’s so far been silent on impeachment. Abbott himself is a former attorney general, preceding Paxton in the position. The governor has built deep connections in the conservative legal world and is known to lean on former aides for high-profile appointments.
Axios · May 27, 2023 Texas House impeaches Ken Paxton for abuse of office Paxton is immediately removed from office, pending a Senate trial.
The Texas Tribune · May 27, 2023 Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. If it becomes law, Texas will become the second state in the country to ban DEI offices at public universities.
The Texas Tribune · May 27, 2023 As attorney general, Paxton’s ideological crusades have drowned out his day job Child support enforcement, environmental regulation, consumer protection and a host of other responsibilities fall under the attorney general’s realm at what is essentially the state’s largest law firm.
The Texas Tribune · May 27, 2023 Bill banning trans athletes from competing on certain college sports teams goes to governor Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would support legislation prohibiting transgender men from competing on men’s college sports teams and transgender women from joining women’s college athletic teams.
The Texas Tribune · May 26, 2023 Donald Trump Jr., conservative Republicans ride to Ken Paxton’s defense on eve of impeachment vote Supporters of the attorney general portray Saturday’s impeachment vote as a political witch hunt meant to sideline President Joe Biden’s biggest headache.
The Texas Tribune · May 26, 2023 More Texans would qualify for food stamps under a bill heading to Gov. Greg Abbott The value of a household’s vehicles disqualified nearly 55,000 people seeking federal food assistance in 2022. House Bill 1287 increases the threshold of car values that lead to SNAP applicants being denied aid.
The Texas Tribune · May 26, 2023 Despite budget surplus, Texas Legislature makes little money available for prison air conditioning Stifling heat has killed inmates and exacerbated employee turnover in Texas prisons. But funding for air conditioning was whittled down in the draft budget released Thursday.