In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections.
Texas Supreme Court
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Supreme Court weighs whether state should reveal execution drug supplier
Justices questioned whether revealing the name would risk physical harm to the supplier — or only hurt its business.
Posted in
Dis-Integration
Texas has failed to close educational gaps for kids of color. In Edgewood ISD, the fallout has lasted generations.
Edgewood ISD has faced consistent problems in preparing its students for college and the workforce. The district’s struggles shine a light on Texas’ long record of neglecting schools that educate mostly students of color.
Posted in
Politics
Why did the Texas AG get into — and then out of — a controversial lawsuit in his home county?
On Nov. 19, the Texas Attorney General’s Office backed Plano in a heated lawsuit over the city’s development plan. On Nov. 20, the agency said it had made a mistake.
Posted in
Politics
In campaigns for Texas’ top courts, judicial candidates must rely on party ID
In these down-ballot, low-information races, judges’ success often depends on the party leaders at the top of the ballot.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Supreme Court reverses course, will hear case over whether state can keep execution drug supplier secret
The court will hold oral arguments on whether to name a past supplier of the execution drug in January.
Posted in
Politics
Federal judge upholds Texas’ partisan statewide judicial elections system
A federal judge has ruled for Texas in a long-running challenge to the state’s system of electing judges to its two highest courts.
Posted inState Government
Report: Austin to end its bag ban after Texas Supreme Court ruling
The city of Austin announced Tuesday it will no longer enforce its ban on plastic bags after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a similar ban in Laredo violated state law, KUT reported.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Supreme Court decision could help uninsured patients negotiate excessive hospital bills
The state’s highest civil court said uninsured patients suing hospitals can access records detailing how much insurance companies paid for similar procedures.
Posted in
Public Education
A teacher says a coworker grabbed her “behind.” The Texas Supreme Court tossed her lawsuit.
The court found that the woman who sued didn’t prove that the female coworker who harassed her was gay, so it’s not clear that the incident constituted “sexually motivated touching.”
