A grand jury indicted Rick Perry on Friday, alleging he abused his power by threatening to veto funding for the state’s anti-corruption unit unless Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg, who had pleaded guilty to drunk driving, stepped down.
Eli Okun
Eli Okun was an intern at The Texas Tribune in 2014. He has a degree in international relations at Brown University, where he worked as the editor-in-chief of The Brown Daily Herald. He previously worked for the Providence Business News, The Washington Post and the Current Newspapers in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Perry Visits Guard Troops Training for the Border
Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday portrayed the deployment of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border as a critical security measure, saying troops “now are the tip of the spear protecting Americans from these cartels and gangs.”
Posted in
Demographics
Senators Debate Funding, Merits of National Guard Deployment
At a state Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday, senators debated the merits and tactical strategies of Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to send Texas National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Posted in
State Government
Gun Groups Oppose Proposal to Allow Alcohol Sales at Gun Shows
In an unexpected uproar, gun rights organizations are pushing back against a proposed Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rule change that would allow the sale of alcohol at some gun shows.
Posted in
Economy
Some Texas Cities Turn to Higher Water Impact Fees
As cities across Texas continue to spread out, water suppliers and local governments are faced with the question of who should pay for building the infrastructure needed to handle the growth.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Proposed Rules Would Allow Alcohol at Gun Shows, With Conditions
The Texas agency that regulates alcohol sales is considering a rule change that would allow alcohol to be served at gun shows, as long as all the guns are disabled and there’s no live ammunition on the premises.
Posted in
Economy
Water Board Delays Final Decision Over Controversial Reservoir
In an unexpected move, the Texas Water Development Board on Thursday punted a final decision on the controversial Marvin Nichols Reservoir a few months down the road.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
GOP Lawmakers Make Case for Upholding Same-Sex Marriage Ban
UPDATED: Removing Texas’ same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Aide: Perry Chose Best Option on National Guard Funding
Gov. Rick Perry’s office pushed back Tuesday against criticism that he overreached in funding the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the border.
Posted in
Politics
Creighton Easily Wins Special State Senate Race
State Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has defeated state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, in a special election runoff for a vacant Houston-area state Senate seat.