Two bills aimed at disclosure of lobbyist wining and dining are on the verge of being snuffed out in a Senate committee, according to the sponsor of the measures. That’s despite Greg Abbott’s vow to “dedicate this session to ethics reform.”
Jay Root
Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies.
In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border.
Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.
Posted in
Energy
Despite Rocky Start, Agriculture Commissioner Defends His Record
A collection of unflattering headlines has lawmakers and one of Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s predecessors questioning whether the world-champion calf roper was ready to steer a billion-dollar agency. But Miller is brushing off the criticism.
Posted inState Government
Facing Blowback, Ethics Bill Could Lose Punch
Gov. Greg Abbott wants ethics reform, but the legislation working its way through the Senate faces major revisions as early as Monday. The debate demonstrates how difficult it is for legislators to change the rules that govern their own behavior.
Posted inState Government
Local Government, School Lobbying in Ethics Crosshairs
State politicians have made beating up on federal intrusion a cottage industry, but haven’t hesitated to tell local governments what to do. On Thursday, local government representatives pushed back.
Posted in
State Government
Sid Miller Backed, Then Nixed, Ag Agency Remodel
Hand-scraped wood floors. Custom ceiling tile. A shower. Those items may not sound like upgrades a cash-strapped agency would need, and new Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller ultimately didn’t think so, either. After initially supporting a big renovation at the agency, Miller decided to nix it, officials say.
Posted inState Government
Lobbyist-Politicians Targeted in Ethics Bill
Elected officials who lobby the Texas Legislature would have to give up one of their gigs under an ethics reform bill considered during a public hearing Monday.
Posted in
Politics
Video: Opinions on Ted Cruz in Times Square
The Texas Tribune’s Jay Root took a trip through New York City’s Times Square to ask folks what they thought about U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the first declared 2016 presidential candidate. The answers might surprise you.
Posted in
Politics
Video: One-on-One Interview With Ted Cruz
Check out Texas Tribune political reporter Jay Root’s one-on-one interview in New York City with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas’ junior senator and the nation’s first declared 2016 presidential candidate.
Posted in
Politics
Sid Miller’s Style Sparks Blowback at the Capitol
Recent episodes highlight a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the cowboy hat-wearing agriculture commissioner and the Legislature that once counted Sid Miller as one of its own.
Posted in
State Government
Audio: Fiscal Hawk Sid Miller on His Need for Cash
Sid Miller voted for deep budget cuts as a member of the Texas House. But now he’s Texas agriculture commissioner, and he wants the Legislature to dramatically increase funding to his cash-strapped agency.
