He had only been in the job for a few weeks, but the interim director of the troubled Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is out. Ed Swedberg abruptly quit Friday after saying he did not want to participate in the termination of another high-ranking official at TABC.
state agencies
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State Government
Two more liquor regulators leaving troubled TABC
Two fresh departures from the troubled Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, announced Thursday, bring to five the number of high-level officials calling it quits since The Texas Tribune began publishing a series of stories about lavish spending, mismanagement and regulatory overreach at TABC.
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State Government
Why one of the largest counties in Texas is going back to paper ballots
After a disastrous November election, Denton County is planning a complete return to paper ballots. The move is in part a response to voter distrust of electronic voting machines.
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State Government
Embattled Texas liquor agency announces third high-level departure
A shake-up continues at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission with the resignation of TABC General Counsel Emily Helm, the third top official to leave the agency in recent months.
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State Government
Texas liquor agency rebuked after investigation of Spec’s
After a three-year probe, state liquor regulators asked an administrative court to cancel every permit held by Spec’s, the state’s largest liquor retailer, or fine it more than $700 million. Instead, the judges recommended nothing but a warning.
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Criminal Justice
After criticism, DPS restores extended hours at busiest driver’s license offices
The Texas Department of Public Safety surprised customers last week when the agency trimmed office hours to save money.
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Energy
San Antonio pushes to lower emissions despite delayed regulations
After the EPA announced that the implementation of new, stricter standards for ozone levels in the air will be delayed a year, the city of San Antonio is forging ahead with plans to reduce emissions.
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Criminal Justice
Paxton prosecutors want high court to overturn judge removal
Prosecutors in the securities fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the state’s highest criminal court to overturn a ruling backing his push for a new judge.
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Criminal Justice
Texas appeals court: Ken Paxton judge must rescind recent orders
The appeals court did not explicitly order Gallagher’s removal from the case but voiced agreement with Paxton’s lawyers that he is “without authority to continue to preside over” it.
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State Government
House, Senate accuse each other of inaction on critical legislation
House members accused the Senate of playing games with Texans’ health and safety by holding out on legislation that would keep state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board, in existence.
