A successful challenge to the state’s primary business tax would throw lawmakers into special session to try to find enough money to pay for public schools, a lawyer for the state told the Texas Supreme Court today.
Texas Supreme Court
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Criminal Justice
Mike Leach: The TT Interview
The former Texas Tech football coach on his pending lawsuit against the university, how the state’s doing at educating student athletes and what happens if the Big 12 falls apart.
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Criminal Justice
Smith Eyes a Return
Austin lawyer and anti-affirmative-action advocate Steven Wayne Smith is planning a return to the Texas Supreme Court.
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Criminal Justice
31 Days, 31 Ways: Tort Reform Bill Gives Texas High Court New Powers
DAY 28 of our month-long series on the effects of new state laws and budget cuts: Under a new tort reform law, the Texas Supreme Court will make rules to expedite certain lawsuits and to allow judges to dismiss meritless ones early on.
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Criminal Justice
High Court Approves “Pole Tax” on Strip Clubs
The Texas Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a $5-per-patron tax on strips clubs does not violate the First Amendment, adding the latest chapter to a four-year legal battle.
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Criminal Justice
Supreme Court is Elected, but Bears Perry’s Stamp
Judges are elected in Texas, but Gov. Rick Perry has picked the winners on the state’s highest civil court almost without fail since he took office in 2000.
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Criminal Justice
Senate Approves Loser-Pays Bill
The Senate unanimously passed a major tort reform bill today that would allow courts to grant attorneys’ fees to prevailing parties under certain circumstances.
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Criminal Justice
Chief Justice to Legislature: Remember the Neediest
In his biennial State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson urged the Legislature to protect legal aid funding — and renewed his call for the reform of judicial elections.
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Criminal Justice
Jurists, Lawmakers, Lawyers: Aid Funds Running Out
Organizations that provide legal services to those who can’t afford them are quickly running out of money even as the need for their help is increasing, advocates said Wednesday at a press conference.
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Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Study: Courts Can Do Better With Foster Kids
The Texas judicial system can do a better job handling the cases of kids in long-term foster care, according to a study released today by Texas Appleseed.
