The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas Medicaid caregivers’ wages were already near the poverty level. But parents whose sole income came from taking care of their disabled children have now lost their ability to work overtime hours. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2722308ad2fd24a012b2d5e89ae32db1/0831%20CLASS%20Sharp%20JS%2002.jpeg)
One whistleblower testified that Ken Paxton didn’t trust law enforcement after his own securities fraud indictment. Senators could begin deliberating the impeachment charges later this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/899a9a5192d9b4e109f956b8957ce971/0911%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%205%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
The suspended attorney general’s lawyers focused on disloyalty and attacked evidence, while impeachment managers accused Paxton of excessive and obsessive misconduct. Neither side ignored the politics behind the case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a27ac1e0dcb58c3e54542eef9f368b60/0905%20Floor%20POOL%20JF%20DMN%2030.JPG)
On cross examination, Paxton’s defense attorney launched into whistleblower Ryan Vassar for bringing no physical evidence when he and others reported their boss to the FBI. Vassar said he was a witness and not an investigator. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/232d8e0e60467d45bf8b1bd19c0523a9/0908%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%204%20EH%20TT%2016.jpg)
The UT poll also touched on a range of other topics, including Texas voters’ opinions on the upcoming presidential election and the U.S. Senate race. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1f3517af30229548e05ee56f8db0a0fe/Eagle%20Pass%20Buoys%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
The former top cop for the attorney general’s office testified that complying with real estate investor Nate Paul’s requests would have amounted to criminal activity. Defense attorneys also questioned whistleblowers about their group texts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/794a5b6b540c477a4ef10c252bd109c3/0908%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%204%20BD%20TT%2008.jpg)
A report by the federal environmental agency’s internal watchdog found that EPA is failing to enforce its own pollution limits for the known carcinogen at many refineries — including some in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/71ba0176a015ddf376fe3812aeac4f3c/0226%20ITC%20Scene%20Setters%20MF%2010.jpg)
Ryan Bangert, a former top official under the attorney general, said Paxton allowed a friend and political donor to hijack the state agency, diverting it from its mission to help all Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ae6d61332dc0ed8bb21512449bef0255/Paxton%20Trial%203%20JWJ%20AAS%20Pool%20TT%2003.jpg)
Former attorney general officials testified that Ken Paxton pushed to release confidential FBI records to friend and donor Nate Paul. They also denied defense attorneys’ assertions that they staged a “mutiny.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9c9ee688b6cf08b4961ba1d95f1eeb93/0907%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%203%20BD%20TT%2045.jpg)
Jeff Mateer testified that Paxton was so intent on helping Austin real estate investor Nate Paul that he worried the attorney general was being blackmailed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc88a7fa2e6c1cc9320e0fcb06b6b53d/0906%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%202%20BD%20TT%2005.jpg)
The state has canceled all visits to Texas prison inmates until a comprehensive search of all 100 correctional facilities for contraband has been completed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f181ae29b290530296df094eadaf47ce/Unsafe%20Prisons%20JW%20TT%2033.jpg)
On the second day of the impeachment trial, former officials in the attorney general’s office say Ken Paxton’s relationship with real estate investor Nate Paul raised alarms. Defense attorney accused the witnesses of “staging a coup.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b993f97d2fc8be43235305798e94ab93/0906%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%202%20EH%20TT%2041.jpg)
Targeted by local conservative activists, Mark Gonzalez joined an increasingly crowded 2024 primary — a move that triggered his resignation as district attorney. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/072a3588689331f5b3056cc0c0a5629d/TTF17%20Criminal%20Justice%20-%20Gonzalez%20TT%2013.jpg)
After senators rejected the suspended attorney general’s bid to dismiss all accusations against him, lawyers for both sides laid out their cases and impeachment managers called their first witness. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5a2f52a94abdecb6dc7b7d54b12e1e75/0905%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%201%20BD%2010.JPG)
The suspended attorney general argued that he should have the same protection from testifying as any defendant in a criminal trial. Patrick, acting as trial judge, agreed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/42b2f653cac544c1d639c3f8d36c7b30/0905%20Floor%20POOL%20JF%20DMN%2029.jpeg)
The pretrial motions required a majority vote. All but one were rejected by two-thirds of the Senate, suggesting an openness in the chamber to hear the allegations against Paxton. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ab6180099e74c6533ee26628f7b2cb5/0905%20Impeachment%20Trial%20BD%20TT%2005.jpg)
Records obtained by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune give deeper insight into how Paxton’s representation denials often pushed agencies to look for outside legal counsel that was ultimately funded by taxpayers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c2f7835f21059cb46e7907a0653d22e1/Paxton%20Opioid%20Presser%20SF%2001.jpg)
Will the suspended attorney general testify, and will any — or all — articles of impeachment be dismissed before opening arguments? Answers are finally coming. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c2854a1120178052e75ba4bd9725532d/0831%20Senate%20Gallery%20BD%2086.jpg)
On the first day of the impeachment trial, senators rejected defense attorneys’ attempts to dismiss all 16 articles of impeachment. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also ruled that Ken Paxton couldn’t be forced to testify. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cbc3e40a295fbf4388741eb2f030b838/0905%20Floor%20POOL%20JF%20DMN%2011.jpeg)
Paxton named House Speaker Dade Phelan, a fellow Republican, in his brief remarks Saturday in North Texas. The suspended attorney general faces a trial Tuesday that would remove him from office permanently. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35521d2b7254054c849689c6108ebb54/0902%20Labor%20Day%20Paxton%20AS%20TT%2015.jpeg)