Jennifer Walker Elrod, a federal appeals court judge appointed by George W. Bush, asked the majority of the questions in a two-hour session Tuesday on Texas’ lawsuit.
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 in
Health care
Texas is going to court to end Obamacare. It hasn’t produced a plan to replace it.
During a legislative session focused on schools and taxes, Texas lawmakers did little to prepare for the possibility that Obamacare will be struck down in its entirety — even as the state leads the charge to have the law declared unconstitutional.
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Criminal Justice
Criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton remains threatened after court upholds prosecutor pay decision
Texas’ highest criminal court reiterated that a six-figure payment to the prosecutors fell outside legal limits. The prosecutors have indicated they may withdraw if they cannot be paid.
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TribCast
Tribcast: Goings-on at the governor’s office and marquee mayoral runoff races
In this edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Ross, Alexa and Patrick about the latest at Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and upcoming mayoral elections in Dallas and San Antonio.
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Politics
After blocking David Whitley’s confirmation, Senate Democrats see bills die on Abbott’s desk
A monthslong push from the governor’s office to confirm his longtime aide as secretary of state heated up in the session’s final days. Some Democrats feared retribution for defying the governor.
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Texas Legislature 2019
To pass school finance and property tax bills, Texas’ legislative leaders had to choose cooperation over combativeness
In the past, personalities got in the way of policy at the Texas Capitol. This year, state leaders refused to let that happen.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“I’m still doing penance”: How Kel Seliger gets by in the Texas Senate dog house
After opposing leadership — and mouthing off — the second-most senior Republican in the Texas Senate is the only senator who was not recognized to bring up a bill for a vote on the floor.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes religious liberty bill amid LGBTQ Caucus’ objections
What started as a sweeping religious refusals bill has been significantly watered down as it moves through the Texas Legislature. But LGBTQ advocates still fiercely oppose it, saying it perpetuates hateful rhetoric.
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Politics
Texas Senate passes religious liberty bill that LGBTQ advocates fear licenses discrimination
The measure moved quickly through the Senate after the LGBTQ Caucus killed a near-identical proposal on a procedural motion last week in the Texas House.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate revives, fast-tracks religious liberty bill that LGBTQ Caucus killed in the House
The measure, which had yet to advance in the Senate, was swiftly voted out of a surprise committee hearing Monday, days after companion legislation in the House died on the floor.