Analysis: Ken Paxton and the High Expense of a Good Defense
Attorney General Ken Paxton, facing three indictments on securities charges, is up against a hard fact of the criminal justice system: Defending yourself is very expensive. Full Story
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Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to media in June 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: Setting up a Review That Could Be Preceding a Makeover
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants a special committee to review legislative agencies he co-chairs with House Speaker Joe Straus. It sounds a little weird at first, but could put him in position to remake some of those agencies. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.]()
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Analysis: Make-or-Break Moment for AG Paxton
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, facing indictment on felony securities charges, could actually boost his career with an acquittal. But a conviction would likely end it. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton testifies on July 29, 2015, before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on an investigation into Planned Parenthood's practices.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott Aides: "Magic Words" Used to Block Budget Vetoes
In a lengthy legal memo to the state's comptroller, aides to Gov. Greg Abbott defend his budget vetoes and decry a legislative agency's challenge as a threat to constitutional separation of powers. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Perry No Longer the Bright, Shiny Object
Four years ago, Republican primary voters seemed eager to embrace Rick Perry, but his lack of preparation undermined his presidential campaign. Now he's prepared, but the voters' eyes are on other candidates. Full Story
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![Former Texas governor and presidential contender gives his stump speech in Windham, New Hampshire on July 4. 2015.]()
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Analysis: Deflection by Officials is Worth Noting
It's diversion season: Top state officials, not surprisingly, would rather talk about red-meat political issues than indictments and legally contested budget vetoes. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton (left) and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
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Analysis: 2016, Like 2008, Could See Voter Turnout Spike in Texas
A competitive Democratic presidential primary made voter turnout surge in 2008. A competitive Republican primary could do the same in 2016. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at the Flawn Academic Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Nov. 6, 2012.]()
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Patrick: My Office Didn't Start Veto Inquiry
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday reiterated his disagreement with a letter questioning the governor's budget vetoes, saying his office did not initiate a letter from a legislative agency on that subject. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a Texas Tribune event on June 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: A Challenge to Vetoes — and a Governor's Power
The governor and the state's legislative leaders are having what looks like an argument over money, but it's really about who's in charge in state government. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol, May 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Legislature Questions Abbott's Budget Vetoes
Some of Gov. Greg Abbott’s line-item vetoes in the state budget might be invalid, the state’s Legislative Budget Board said in a letter sent Tuesday to Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera