In a year when four justices face reelection, the all-Republican high court has made a slate of controversy-generating decisions, including lifting a moratorium on evictions and — for now — limiting voting by mail in this year’s elections.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
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Coronavirus in Texas
How a Dallas salon owner changed Texas’ reopening debate
After Shelley Luther was jailed for opening her salon in blatant defiance of emergency orders, top Texas Republicans in all three branches of government scrambled to ensure her release.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: The path to emergency powers in Texas might run through the courts
State and local governments are at odds over what should and should not be allowed during a pandemic — a debate over health, economics and civil liberties. The old sparring partners have increasingly appealed to a referee: the courts.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warns Austin, San Antonio, Dallas to loosen coronavirus restrictions
Paxton’s office said that there could be litigation if cities do not pull back coronavirus restrictions related to masks, sheltering in place and religious services.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Complaint filed over Texas AG Ken Paxton’s tactics to limit mail-in voting
In a series of tweets and a public statement, Paxton said eligibility for absentee voting has not been expanded. But a state judge’s order says otherwise.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas’ rules for mail-in voting won’t work during pandemic, a new lawsuit argues
In their suit, a group of Texas voters and civic organizations claim that four Texas absentee voting rules are unconstitutional during a public health crisis.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Top Texas officials denounce Dallas salon owner’s jail sentence for defying orders to close
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton said the seven-day jail sentence was excessive. Paxton called for her immediate release.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas voters sue over age restrictions for mail-in ballots
The voters — all between the ages of 18 and 28 — want the courts to rule that the state’s age restriction for voting by mail, which limits eligibility to those 65 and older, violates constitutional protections.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Federal government sued for denying stimulus checks to Americans married to undocumented immigrants
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, is alleging that a provision in the $2.2 trillion stimulus package known as the CARES Act that denies the benefit to mixed-status families in unconstitutional.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo sued over face mask requirement
The suit claims Hidalgo has exceeded her authority by implementing orders more restrictive than those of Gov. Greg Abbott, which take precedence.
