Two days after Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton and the board’s chair, Christi Craddick, clashed publicly at a state meeting, Sitton is asking Attorney General Ken Paxton to weigh in on his colleague’s actions.
Jim Malewitz
Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
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State Government
Railroad commissioner to chair: “This isn’t a dictatorship” (video)
In a livestreamed Tuesday meeting, Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton and the board’s chair, Christi Craddick, sparred over questions about the fate of the agency’s executive director.
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Health care
Amid opioid investigation, Texas and other states demand drug company documents
Texas and a coalition of 40 other states have served subpoenas or other requests to eight companies that manufacture or distribute prescription painkillers, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday.
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Now on the Books
New law lets Texas drivers help tackle the state’s rape kit testing backlog
Driver’s license applications will soon ask Texans whether they’d like to donate $1 or more for sexual assault kit testing. It’s the state’s latest effort to reduce a backlog that has swelled for years.
Posted inState Government
Principals aren’t registering high schoolers to vote. Texas is turning to superintendents.
Thirty-four years ago, the Texas Legislature enacted a novel law requiring high school principals to register eligible students to vote. But many aren’t complying, and voter participation remains chronically low.
Posted inState Government
Supreme Court puts redrawing of Texas political maps on hold
In separate orders issued Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked two lower court rulings that invalidated parts of the state’s congressional and House maps where lawmakers were found to have discriminated against voters of color, putting on hold efforts to redraw those maps.
Posted inState Government
Audit: Ag agency hikes on fees to Texas farmers and ranchers raised millions more than needed
In 2016, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller irked farmers, ranchers and lawmakers by dramatically raising fees for a wide range of services his agency offers. A new state audit says the higher fees generated millions more dollars than necessary in 2016.
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In Harvey's Wake
Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information
After explosions in a Crosby chemical plant, the public had no option but to trust government and company assurances that billowing smoke presented little danger.
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Texas Elections 2018
Trump’s Justice Department wants Texas to keep invalidated voter ID law
Continuing a dramatic reversal on voting rights under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal appeals court to allow Texas to enforce a photo voter identification law that a lower court found discriminatory.
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In Harvey's Wake
Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton: There is no fuel shortage
Long lines formed at Texas gas stations Thursday as some prices started to spike — but officials say Hurricane Harvey hasn’t led to a shortage of fuel.