The state’s “months-long delay” in producing documents “has been disruptive, time consuming, cost consuming” and has burdened plaintiffs in the voting rights lawsuit, the judge wrote. The order will run up Texas’ legal tab.
Jim Malewitz
Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
FBI, IRS agents raid state Sen. Carlos Uresti’s law offices
FBI and IRS agents raided the law offices of Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti on Thursday morning, confiscating documents and other items.
Posted in
Transportation
With money tight, Texas budget writers eyeing billions approved by voters for roads
More than a year after Texas voters approved routing billions in state sales taxes to roads and bridges, some lawmakers are questioning whether the first payment of $5 billion should move forward as planned.
Posted in
Politics
37 days: Corpus Christi finds lessons in mayor’s political implosion
Fed up with lingering infrastructure problems, Corpus Christi voters turned to a political novice to run the city. In just over a month, he was gone, leaving behind political limbo — and some lessons.
Posted in
Demographics
Investigators: Fire that ravaged Victoria mosque was arson
Investigators said Wednesday that someone intentionally set the fire that destroyed a mosque two weeks ago in Victoria, the South Texas town that has since rallied around its Muslim community.
Posted in
Demographics
In South Texas, fire-ravaged mosque seen as symbol of unity
Victoria’s Muslim community is getting a lot of help picking up the pieces of its burned-down mosque, which has emerged as a symbol of unity amid a time of national fear and discord.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Civil rights group asks judge to sanction state in voter registration suit
Civil rights lawyers suing Texas over its voter registration practices asked a federal judge to sanction the state for allegedly blowing past deadlines and ignoring a court order to hand over documents.
Posted in
Politics
Straus seeks to publish efficiency report that Patrick wanted scrapped
House Speaker Joe Straus has asked a state agency to release its ideas for improving government efficiency. The request came on the heels of news that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had directed the board to do the exact opposite.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas Senate takes first step toward school finance overhaul
The Senate has tasked a new budget working group with coming up with ways to overhaul the state’s school finance system.
Posted in
Politics
Supreme Court rejects Texas voter ID appeal — for now
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up Texas’ effort salvage its strict voter identification law, handing at least a temporary victory to civil rights advocates who have successfully argued that the law discriminates against minorities.
