The powerful Texas Association of Business has been using “dark money” — which obscures the identity of political donors — for its political action committee. The group says the money’s used only for administrative expenses.
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 inState Government
After reports of internal dysfunction, Hilderbran out as Facilities Commission director
Former state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran is out as executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission, the billion-dollar agency that builds and maintains state office buildings.
Posted in
The Taking
Texas smugglers say Trump’s border wall wouldn’t stop immigrants, drugs from pouring across the border
If the Trump administration follows through on the president’s promises to build a border wall, would it actually stop undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs? Two former smugglers explain how they’d work around it.
Posted in
State Government
Transportation commissioner billed taxpayers for trips while advocating for auto industry
Victor Vandergriff advocated for auto dealers while billing the Texas Department of Transportation for Austin trips. The TxDot commissioner says he’ll reimburse the state for certain expenses and update his financial disclosure statement.
Posted inState Government
Texas’ liquor regulators have been in hot water all year. Read our coverage here.
In March, we reported on how Texas alcohol regulators spent tens of thousands of dollars to travel to resorts where liquor flowed and industry lobbyists abounded. Catch on up that story and the developments that ensued.
Posted inCriminal Justice
How renting furniture in Texas can land you in jail
Reread this investigation by the Tribune and NerdWallet into the rent-to-own industry, which has a special tool in Texas law that lets it file criminal charges when customers don’t pay their debts — while other businesses have to use civil remedies.
Posted in
State Government
“Poison is in the water”: Internal strife plagues billion-dollar Texas Facilities Commission
Documents and interviews with people who work at the Texas Facilities Commission portray an agency gripped by internal dysfunction, complaints of special treatment and fears that major building initiatives are falling prey to petty squabbles.
Posted in
Politics
Democratic megadonor, Houston trial lawyer Steve Mostyn has died
Steve Mostyn, a top Democratic donor and prominent Houston trial lawyer, died Wednesday. He was 46.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Legislators mull changing Texas law allowing criminal charges against rent-to-own customers
Texas lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said Friday they are mulling legislative reforms to criminal laws that allow rent-to-own companies to pursue felony theft charges against customers who default on payments for sofas, TVs and other merchandise.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
How renting furniture in Texas can land you in jail
While other businesses have to use civil remedies when customers don’t pay their debts, the rent-to-own industry has a special tool in Texas law that lets them file criminal charges, an investigation by the Tribune and NerdWallet found.