“I think the trial is certain,” said Jose Garza, an attorney for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, a lead plaintiff in the years-long challenge of the state’s political boundaries.
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
Public Education
Senate approves bill to require seat belts on school buses
Senate Bill 693 cleared the chamber in a 25-6 vote following strong pushback from one Republican who argued seat belts make buses less safe.
Posted in
Politics
Clock ticking toward 2018 as court to mull redistricting questions
A three-judge panel will start mulling big redistricting questions in San Antonio on Thursday, including how rulings finding discrimination in Texas’ political maps might affect the 2018 election cycle.
Posted in
Politics
Court: Texas House map intentionally diluted minority votes
After ruling that Texas lawmakers intentionally discriminated against minorities in drawing the state’s congressional map, a three-judge panel has also found fault with the state’s House map.
Posted in
Energy
West Texas nuclear waste project on hold — for now
Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists has asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to temporarily suspend a review of its application to store tens of thousands of metric tons of spent nuclear fuel at its West Texas dump.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Nelson to retire
Chairman Donna Nelson announced Thursday that she will retire from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ending a nine-year tenure.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar pitches Rainy Day Fund overhaul
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar wants to reshape the state’s Rainy Day Fund, aiming to get more bang for those stowed-away bucks.
Posted in
Economy
Constitutional or not? Paxton asked to weigh in on $2.5 billion Senate budget trick
Paxton’s answer to that question could shake up budget negotiations in the final weeks of session.
Posted in
Economy
Senate panel considers requiring rest breaks for Texas construction workers
A Texas Senate panel considered legislation Tuesday that would require construction companies to give workers mandatory rest breaks — an effort to prevent illnesses and deaths from the sweltering Texas heat.
Posted in
Politics
Study: Texas voter education campaign failed to prevent ID confusion
Texas’ court-ordered $2.5 million voter education campaign failed to prevent widespread confusion about the state’s identification rules ahead of the 2016 General Election, according to a new study.