The hardline conservative group can claim a victory for ousting Bonnen. But will that be good for its ideological interests?
Emma Platoff
Emma Platoff was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering the law and its intersection with politics. A graduate of Yale University, Emma is the former managing editor of the Yale Daily News.
Posted inState Government
Top Texas Republicans order investigation into mother who supports child’s gender transition
A bitter child custody dispute became a flashpoint in the state’s culture wars this week as Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urged state involvement.
Posted in
Politics
With a lame-duck speaker, Texas House confronts the work of the interim
For the next 14 months, the powerful committee chairs who called for House Speaker Dennis Bonnen to step down will be asked to carry out his will — and every decision the speaker makes will be viewed in the shadow of demise.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House Speaker Dennis Bonnen says, “No laws were broken.” Legal hurdles remain.
Bonnen has been eager to dismiss speculation that he did anything illegal during a June 12 meeting with conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. But a probe into the event is ongoing.
Posted in
Politics
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offered media access to Empower Texans, suggested it target certain Republicans, recording shows
Bonnen also spoke disparagingly about multiple Democrats, calling one House member “vile” and suggesting that another’s “wife’s gonna be really pissed when she learns he’s gay.”
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recuses himself from opinion, citing conflict of interest
A local official had asked Paxton for legal guidance on special prosecutor pay — a major question in the criminal case against Paxton himself.
Posted in
TribCast
TribCast: Texas Democrats get their debate moments; a gun debate at home
In this edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Ross, Patrick and Alexa about the Democratic debate, background checks for stranger-to-stranger gun purchases and a Fort Worth woman who faces a five-year prison sentence for casting a ballot that didn’t count.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Crystal Mason’s ballot was never counted. Will she still serve five years in prison for illegally voting?
Her lawyers say if her sentence stands, it could discourage low-information voters from going to the polls at all.
Posted in
Politics
To her Texas supporters, Marianne Williamson has already won
The Houston native may have missed the cutoff for a presidential debate this week in her native city. But in Texas’ liberal enclaves, she’s built a small base of support all her own.
Posted inState Government
Gov. Greg Abbott selects former appeals court judge Jane Bland for Texas Supreme Court
Bland lost her Houston appeals court seat in the November 2018 election.