Texas Regulators Eye Deceptive Electricity Pricing
Texas regulators say they’re ready to crack down on power companies that try to rope consumers into buying electricity plans that are pricier than they appear. Full Story
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Jim Malewitz
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Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
Past Contributions
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Texas Regulators Uncertain on Hunt Deal
With a deadline for action looming, Texas regulators are struggling to make up their minds about the finer points of the Ray L. Hunt family’s $18 billion proposal to buy and reshape Oncor, the state’s biggest electric utility. Full Story
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In Reeling Crystal City, Distrust Regarding City Hall Gives Way to Action
Distrust of city government has brewed in Crystal City for years. Now, many see cynicism giving way to engagement, with hope that a rock-bottom moment in city government will help turn anger into activism. Full Story
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![A look at City Hall in Crystal City, which bills itself the "Spinach Capital of the World."]()
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With Clean Power Plan Ruling, Texas Dodges Climate Action
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan has helped state Republicans — at least temporarily — dodge major action on climate change. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media in June 2015.]()
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Railroad Commission Hopefuls Split on Donations
Candidates Ron Hale, Weston Martinez and Lance Christian say they would support a proposal barring railroad commissioners from accepting political donations from parties doing business before the commission. Full Story
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Hunt's Controversial Oncor Plan Could Spark Texas-Wide Trend
As Texas regulators weigh the Ray L. Hunt family’s plan to buy Oncor, the state's largest electric utility, and reorganize its corporate structure to save on taxes, at least one other giant utility is considering a similar move. Full Story
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State Rep. Ron Reynolds Has Bar Disciplinary Hearing Delayed
Also, the special election to fill Ruth Jones McClendon's House seat will happen May 7 and Christi Craddick reunites with an old colleague to help teach a law class. Full Story
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![Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, during a House Environmental Regulations Committee meeting on April 16, 2013.]()
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Oncor: Hunt's Possible Merger Could Boost Rates
Oncor, the state’s largest utility, is warning state regulators that electric rates could increase for millions of Texas customers if they approve a complex reorganization plan offered by the Ray L. Hunt family. Full Story
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![Oncor CEO Bob Shapard testifies before the Texas Public Utility Commission on Jan. 11, 2016. He expressed concerns over the Hunt family's plan to buy Oncor, the state's largest electric utility.]()
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Oil Driller's Lawsuit Could Cost Texas Billions in Tax Refunds
What is the definition of "tangible personal property?" The arcane question is at the center of a lawsuit that could reap energy companies a multibillion-dollar windfall and drain the state's budget surplus. Full Story
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![An oil driller had filed a lawsuit over sales tax refunds. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar's office warned that a Texas loss could have spurred up to $4.4 billion in refund filings for 2017 alone.]()
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New Rules Will Make It Easier to Track Cable Ad Buys
Also, Texas has run out of options, must pay opponents' legal bills in a long-running battle over state redistricting maps. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman