GOVERNMENT | The Texas Tribune

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class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/government/">GOVERNMENT</a><a class="subsection_toggle"><i class="icon-caret-down"></i></a></h1><ul class="subsection_menu"><li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/government/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/government/legislature/">Legislature</a></li><li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/government/state-agencies/">State Agencies</a></li></ul><script> $(window).load(function () { $('.subsection_toggle').click(function(e){ e.preventDefault(); $('.subsection_menu').slideToggle('fast', function() {}); }); }); </script></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/dhs-releasing-families-will-lead-more-illegal-migr/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/protest-shot-2_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/protest-shot-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Ben Hassan</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/dhs-releasing-families-will-lead-more-illegal-migr/">Feds: Releasing Families Will Lead to More Illegal Migration</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 7 Aug 2015 12:54:50 -0500" title="2015-08-07 12:54"> Aug. 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/dhs-releasing-families-will-lead-more-illegal-migr/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>The immediate release of immigrant families from detention facilities could cause another massive wave of illegal migration like the one Texas witnessed last summer, the Obama administration argued in a court filing late Thursday.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/dhs-releasing-families-will-lead-more-illegal-migr/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> <aside class="related"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h2>Related</h2> </header> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/28/despite-judges-ruling-questions-remain-detained-im/">Despite Ruling, Detained Immigrants Face Uncertainty</a></li> </ul> </aside> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Day7-Bowen_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Day7-Bowen_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Credit: CSIS</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/">New Law Helps Tackle Health Agency Woes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 7 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-07 06:00"> Aug. 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>After being accused of corruption, inefficiency and incompetence, the state health agency's Office of Inspector General is trying to get back on track, and hopes a new law will clarify and streamline its fraud investigations. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/" target="_blank">31 Days, 31 Ways series</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/GallegoHurd-CD23_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/GallegoHurd-CD23_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/">Study: Law Discouraged More Than Those Without Voter ID</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 17:49:38 -0500" title="2015-08-06 17:49"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/comments/"><span class="value">24</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Texas’ strict voter identification requirements kept many would-be voters in a Latino-majority congressional district from going to the polls last November — including many who had proper IDs — a new survey shows.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/09/ClayJenkinsTribLiveTTCrop_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/09/ClayJenkinsTribLiveTTCrop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/">County Judge Asks State to Resolve Birth Certificate Issue</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 17:00:19 -0500" title="2015-08-06 17:00"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has asked the Department of State Health Services to resolve a controversial birth certificate policy the Democrat said could adversely affect North Texas students’ ability to enroll in school later this month. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/">New Law Helps Tackle Health Agency Woes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 7 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-07 06:00"> Aug. 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Day7-Bowen_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Day7-Bowen_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Credit: CSIS</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Health and Human Services Commission Inspector General Stuart Bowen</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>After being accused of corruption, inefficiency and incompetence, the state health agency's Office of Inspector General is trying to get back on track, and hopes a new law will clarify and streamline its fraud investigations. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/" target="_blank">31 Days, 31 Ways series</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/07/new-law-reform-troubled-hhsc-office/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/">Study: Law Discouraged More Than Those Without Voter ID</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 17:49:38 -0500" title="2015-08-06 17:49"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/comments/"><span class="value">24</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/GallegoHurd-CD23_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/GallegoHurd-CD23_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas’ strict voter identification requirements kept many would-be voters in a Latino-majority congressional district from going to the polls last November — including many who had proper IDs — a new survey shows.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/study-law-discouraged-more-those-without-voter-id/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/">County Judge Asks State to Resolve Birth Certificate Issue</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 17:00:19 -0500" title="2015-08-06 17:00"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/09/ClayJenkinsTribLiveTTCrop_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/09/ClayJenkinsTribLiveTTCrop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has asked the Department of State Health Services to resolve a controversial birth certificate policy the Democrat said could adversely affect North Texas students’ ability to enroll in school later this month. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/dallas-countys-jenkins-asks-dshs-resolve-birth-cer/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/">Government Salary Database Updated</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, Noah Seger and Gerald Rich </li><li><time datetime="Tue, 9 Oct 2012 06:00:00 -0500" title="2012-10-09 06:00"> Oct. 9, 2012 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capitol-Money-SalarayUpdate_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman / Steven Leggett</cite> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/police-associations-ask-coleman-apologize-remarks/">Police Associations Ask Rep. Coleman to Apologize</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 12:25:08 -0500" title="2015-08-06 12:25"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/police-associations-ask-coleman-apologize-remarks/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/police-associations-ask-coleman-apologize-remarks/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/30/_aBDA8041Coleman2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Garnet Coleman, chairman of the House Committee on County Affairs, expresses his frustration with DPS Director Steve McCraw during a hearing on mental health and jail standards on July 30, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/30/_aBDA8041Coleman2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Garnet Coleman, chairman of the House Committee on County Affairs, expresses his frustration with DPS Director Steve McCraw during a hearing on mental health and jail standards on July 30, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Garnet Coleman, chairman of the House Committee on County Affairs, expresses his frustration with DPS Director Steve McCraw during a hearing on mental health and jail standards on July 30, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Several law enforcement organizations are calling on state Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/garnet-coleman/">Garnet Coleman</a>, D-Houston, to apologize after saying he was "treated like a child" during a traffic stop. But Coleman said he doesn't see a reason why he should apologize.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/police-associations-ask-coleman-apologize-remarks/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/analysis-blame-reputation-and-long-road-back/">Analysis: Blame, Reputation and the Long Road Back</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 6 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-06 06:00"> Aug. 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/analysis-blame-reputation-and-long-road-back/comments/"><span class="value">27</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/analysis-blame-reputation-and-long-road-back/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/UP9A8470_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke on June 22, 2105, at an event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation discussing the impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/UP9A8470_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke on June 22, 2105, at an event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation discussing the impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke on June 22, 2105, at an event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation discussing the impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The political blaming started quickly after Texas Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a>'s indictments on Monday, and the elections will see some argument over who's shooting at the AG. But it will take more than politics to save his reputation.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/analysis-blame-reputation-and-long-road-back/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/">Climate Pleas From Pope, Obama Fall Flat in Texas</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 22:01:56 -0500" title="2015-08-05 22:01"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/comments/"><span class="value">43</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/IMG_6134_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/IMG_6134_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Deacon Sam Dunning of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Pope Francis has called on people of faith and science to come together and address the perils of climate change, and President Obama has finalized his ambitious carbon-cutting Clean Power Plan. But Texas Republicans aren't signing on, Catholic or not.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/federal-judge-rules-gay-spouse-named-death-certifi/">Judge: Texas Must Name Gay Spouse on Death Certificate</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 15:25:51 -0500" title="2015-08-05 15:25"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/federal-judge-rules-gay-spouse-named-death-certifi/comments/"><span class="value">38</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/federal-judge-rules-gay-spouse-named-death-certifi/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/05/TxTrib-GayWedding_017_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Pamela Holwerds holds up her marriage license following the ceremony that married over 40 same-sex couples on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 4, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/05/TxTrib-GayWedding_017_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Pamela Holwerds holds up her marriage license following the ceremony that married over 40 same-sex couples on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 4, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Tamir Kalifa</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Pamela Holwerds holds up her marriage license following the ceremony that married over 40 same-sex couples on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 4, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Texas must recognize the same-sex marriage of a Conroe resident by naming him as the surviving spouse on his late husband's death certificate. The judge also ordered Texas Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> to appear in court.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/federal-judge-rules-gay-spouse-named-death-certifi/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/college-says-it-never-requested-vetoed-funds/">Buried Treasure: State Budget Hides a Mystery</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 4 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-04 06:00"> Aug. 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/college-says-it-never-requested-vetoed-funds/comments/"><span class="value">15</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/college-says-it-never-requested-vetoed-funds/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/LaSallesExpeditiontoLouisiana_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/LaSallesExpeditiontoLouisiana_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Lawmakers approved giving $200,000 to a community college that doesn't want it to fund a maritime museum that doesn't exist, and now the Legislative Budget Board may scuttle Gov. Greg Abbott's bid to reclaim the loot.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/college-says-it-never-requested-vetoed-funds/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/abbott-patrick-offer-measured-support-paxton/">Top Texas GOP Officials Offer Measured Support for Paxton</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 17:03:31 -0500" title="2015-08-03 17:03"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/abbott-patrick-offer-measured-support-paxton/comments/"><span class="value">27</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/abbott-patrick-offer-measured-support-paxton/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/Abbott-Patrick_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/Abbott-Patrick_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>When Gov. Rick Perry was indicted last year, there was a groundswell of support among Republicans for Perry. The response to Ken Paxton's indictment — particularly among some top state GOP leaders — has been more restrained.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/abbott-patrick-offer-measured-support-paxton/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/barratry-charges-against-rep-ron-reynolds-downgrad/">Barratry Charges Against Ron Reynolds Downgraded</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 16:12:38 -0500" title="2015-08-03 16:12"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/barratry-charges-against-rep-ron-reynolds-downgrad/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/16/RonReynold-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, during a House Environmental Regulations Committee on April 16, 2013."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/16/RonReynold-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, during a House Environmental Regulations Committee on April 16, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, during a House Environmental Regulations Committee on April 16, 2013.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Felony charges against state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, were dropped Friday and replaced with misdemeanor charges.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/barratry-charges-against-rep-ron-reynolds-downgrad/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/">Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-kiah-collier/">Kiah Collier</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 15:16:26 -0500" title="2015-08-03 15:16"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/comments/"><span class="value">47</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/04/SmokeStack_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/12/04/SmokeStack_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Thomas Bougher</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>President Obama on Monday unveiled the final version of his state-by-state effort to combat climate change by reshaping the nation’s energy sector – a plan that has roiled Republican leaders in Texas.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/">Paxton Surrenders in Securities Fraud Indictment</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 10:17:01 -0500" title="2015-08-03 10:17"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/comments/"><span class="value">105</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/Paxton-Mug-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/Paxton-Mug-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a> appeared for booking in Collin County prior to the public release of a securities fraud indictment against him. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/texplainer-how-statewide-office-vacancy-filled/">Texplainer: How Is a Statewide Office Vacancy Filled?</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/polo-rocha/">Polo Rocha</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 3 Aug 2015 10:00:24 -0500" title="2015-08-03 10:00"> Aug. 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/texplainer-how-statewide-office-vacancy-filled/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/texplainer-how-statewide-office-vacancy-filled/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/15/IMG_9857_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/15/IMG_9857_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The rules are a little different for how to complete the terms of statewide executive officials who leave office early.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/texplainer-how-statewide-office-vacancy-filled/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/police-associations-ask-coleman-apologize-remarks/">Police Associations Ask Rep. Coleman to Apologize</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/06/analysis-blame-reputation-and-long-road-back/">Analysis: Blame, Reputation and the Long Road Back</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/state-lawmakers-lukewarm-papal-climate-change-decr/">Climate Pleas From Pope, Obama Fall Flat in Texas</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/federal-judge-rules-gay-spouse-named-death-certifi/">Judge: Texas Must Name Gay Spouse on Death Certificate</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/ruling-offers-texas-voter-id-critics-narrow-victor/">Court: Texas Voter ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/analysis-paxton-and-high-expense-good-defense/">Analysis: Ken Paxton and the High Expense of a Good Defense</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/">New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/dallas-county-rule-change-fuels-birth-certificate-/">Dallas County Drawn Into Birth Certificate Debate</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/mystery-solved-maritime-appropriation-claimed/">Otto Explains Maritime Museum Money Mixup</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/texas-grand-jury-selection-become-more-random/">Texas Grand Jury Selection to Become More Random</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/college-says-it-never-requested-vetoed-funds/">Buried Treasure: State Budget Hides a Mystery</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/abbott-patrick-offer-measured-support-paxton/">Top Texas GOP Officials Offer Measured Support for Paxton</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/barratry-charges-against-rep-ron-reynolds-downgrad/">Barratry Charges Against Ron Reynolds Downgraded</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/obama-unveils-climate-rules-texas-wide-implication/">Obama Unveils Climate Rules, With Texas-Wide Implications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/">Paxton Surrenders in Securities Fraud Indictment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/texplainer-how-statewide-office-vacancy-filled/">Texplainer: How Is a Statewide Office Vacancy Filled?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/1997-memorial-day-massacre/">1997 Memorial Day Massacre</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2011-budget-shortfall/">2011 Budget Shortfall</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2013-house-speaker-race/">2013 House Speaker Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2015-speakers-race/">The 2015 Speaker's Race</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/2016-presidential-election/">2016 Presidential Election</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/82nd-legislative-session/">82nd Legislative Session</a></li> <li><a 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data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_RightRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab video"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Video</h1> <h2><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/">Video: Houston and the 84th Legislature</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Jul 2015 16:12:29 -0500" title="2015-07-01 16:12"> July 1, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2015/07/01/houston-the-legislature-a-recap-of-the-84th/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/houston_Jv2bZ45_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/ruling-offers-texas-voter-id-critics-narrow-victor/">Court: Texas Voter ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 13:48:44 -0500" title="2015-08-05 13:48"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/ruling-offers-texas-voter-id-critics-narrow-victor/comments/"><span class="value">23</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/ruling-offers-texas-voter-id-critics-narrow-victor/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/15/VoterRegistration-ID_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/09/15/VoterRegistration-ID_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas’ four-year-old voter ID law violates the Voting Rights Act but is not a “poll tax” barred under the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court has ruled.</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/ruling-offers-texas-voter-id-critics-narrow-victor/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/analysis-paxton-and-high-expense-good-defense/">Analysis: Ken Paxton and the High Expense of a Good Defense</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 11:19:14 -0500" title="2015-08-05 11:19"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/analysis-paxton-and-high-expense-good-defense/comments/"><span class="value">17</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/analysis-paxton-and-high-expense-good-defense/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8838_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks to media following remarks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/22/7C2A8838_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks to media following remarks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">TX Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks to media following remarks at event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation regarding impact of the EPA's Clean Power Plan on June 22, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a>, facing three indictments on securities charges, is up against a hard fact of the criminal justice system: Defending yourself is very expensive.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/analysis-paxton-and-high-expense-good-defense/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/">New Law Will Help More Texans Go Solar</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> and <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jeremy-lin/">Jeremy Lin</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-05 06:00"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/comments/"><span class="value">25</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/31/31Days-Solar_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Gabriel Crist贸ver P茅rez</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Nipendra Patel in front of his home in the Bastrop community of The Colony. Patel's roof is marked with studs meant to support solar panels, but the neighborhood's developer blocked their installation.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A loophole in state law allowed some developers to block solar installations on homes in new neighborhoods. Now it's been plugged. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/" target="_blank">31 Days, 31 Ways series</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/new-law-will-let-more-texans-go-solar/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/dallas-county-rule-change-fuels-birth-certificate-/">Dallas County Drawn Into Birth Certificate Debate</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 5 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-05 06:00"> Aug. 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/dallas-county-rule-change-fuels-birth-certificate-/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/dallas-county-rule-change-fuels-birth-certificate-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/22/BirthCertificate-Passport_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/22/BirthCertificate-Passport_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>After aligning itself with state policy, Dallas County may now be drawn into the legal fray over the state's rules for issuing birth certificates to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/05/dallas-county-rule-change-fuels-birth-certificate-/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/mystery-solved-maritime-appropriation-claimed/">Otto Explains Maritime Museum Money Mixup</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 4 Aug 2015 18:22:56 -0500" title="2015-08-04 18:22"> Aug. 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/mystery-solved-maritime-appropriation-claimed/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/mystery-solved-maritime-appropriation-claimed/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/LaSallesExpeditiontoLouisiana_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/LaSallesExpeditiontoLouisiana_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in 1684, painted in 1844 by Jean Antoine Th茅odore de Gudin. La Belle, left, sank in present-day Matagorda Bay.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The mystery of a seemingly abandoned nautical appropriation in the state budget became clearer Tuesday, with a key legislator saying the $200,000 intended for a non-existent maritime museum got tangled in a miscommunication. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/mystery-solved-maritime-appropriation-claimed/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/texas-grand-jury-selection-become-more-random/">Texas Grand Jury Selection to Become More Random</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 4 Aug 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-08-04 06:00"> Aug. 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/texas-grand-jury-selection-become-more-random/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/texas-grand-jury-selection-become-more-random/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/TT-31ways-Aug4-jury-art1024x68_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/05/TT-31ways-Aug4-jury-art1024x68_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Ben Hasson</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas is on the verge of overhauling the way it selects grand jurors, shifting away from an antiquated process that critics say creates the potential for conflicts of interest. <span>This story is part of our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/31ways/84R/">31 Days, 31 Ways</a><span> series. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/04/texas-grand-jury-selection-become-more-random/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150807210617/http://www.texastribune.org/government/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a 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