/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/0112James_Barragan_2x3.jpeg)
James Barragán is a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune with a focus on accountability reporting. He is on leave during the 2023-24 academic year as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard. Prior to joining the Tribune, James worked as a statehouse reporter for The Dallas Morning News and had previous stints at the Austin American-Statesman and the Los Angeles Times. In 2021, James was a finalist for the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Reporting for his coverage of Texas politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Southern California native, James received his bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA. He is based in Austin and is a native Spanish speaker.
The House voted 121-23 to suspend the attorney general and refer him to the Senate for trial on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. It was the first such impeachment since 1975. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39517cfa88b8fe5d9e7961898e08acfe/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%2028.jpg)
The mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/766121f30f1f348f4757d0c986f0684b/George%20P.%20Bush%20Del%20Rio%20KGB%20TT%2028.jpg)
The Texas House will vote on accusations that include bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duty and obstruction of justice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c92f715cc5ef4301691fb262bb65e5dd/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20ST%20TT%2014.jpg)
The attorney general, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, is accused of a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking. The full House is expected to consider the articles soon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/676a390fd5003c61a847479ae8cabf45/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20BT%20TT%2014.jpg)
Many allegations against Paxton were already known, but the airing of them revealed the scope of the investigation by the committee, which has the power to recommend censure or impeachment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6dfc9e5f6554688d0eb593bdfd850370/REDO%20GI%20Commitee%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
The House has already passed the bill, but the two chambers will need to iron out the differences in their versions before it is sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f8778ad0cff771f8d01eae70eb7072e/0508%20Title%2042%20Migrants%20IPA%2006.JPG)
The two chambers have been at odds over property tax relief and school choice, but on Tuesday night, those divisions spilled over into priorities the bodies had previously agreed upon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/29b1fbf094cd7ac79f00b38cfd99be0f/0411%20House%20Vote%20EL%20TT%2008.JPG)
The defections have sparked feelings of betrayal and promises of retribution, particularly as Republicans in the Legislature have presented a unified front. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44ad4895b7015819f7800e2c24835dda/0512%20SB%2014%20House%20Friday%20EL%20TT%2010.jpg)
The legislation was named for Bishop Evans, who drowned last year trying to rescue migrants in the Rio Grande. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba95aaa0dc3fefb2fa02a580ca102595/Migrants%20El%20Paso%20Dec%2020%20IPA%20TT%2014.JPG)
State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, tacks two of his stalled bills onto legislation that would create a border police unit and increase state spending in border communities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/85f7612a5f7da4a73695cae37ca139ff/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2058.jpg)