Republicans from Gov. Greg Abbott on down are pressuring the all-GOP Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse a December ruling that gutted the attorney general’s power to go after election cases on his own.
Judiciary of Texas
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Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: In Abbott’s hands, executive orders look like suggestions
Even as Gov. Greg Abbott is loosening his pandemic restrictions on people and businesses, he is buckling to opponents who protest that he’s moving too slowly. He’s undermining his own authority — and enforcement of the rest of his rules.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: Splitting hairs in Texas, for politics and profit
The governor and other top Texas officials love promoting the rule of law, but they also love good politics. The civil disobedience of a Dallas beautician forced them to choose a favorite — and maybe hurry changes in pandemic policy.
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State Government
Analysis: The Texas Supreme Court and the ruling class
A well-heeled loser of a lawsuit that went to the Texas Supreme Court did a detailed analysis and concluded that the big law firms that politically support the judges get the best results. Maybe money is the reason, maybe it’s not.
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Politics
Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court
Jerry Zimmerer, an appellate judge in Houston, said his campaign differs from Amy Clark Meachum’s because “I actually want the best candidate to win.”
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Politics
Analysis: Voters elect Texas’ judges. The state might take that power — but it’s risky.
Even the Texas lawmakers who want to change the way the state selects judges are wary of taking that power away from voters. The politics are more difficult, in some ways, than the proposed policy changes.
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Politics
Advocates have long tried to change judicial selection in Texas. Is Dan Patrick their newest obstacle?
A new commission had barely begun to study Texas’ partisan judicial election system when the leader of the Texas Senate signaled skepticism of reform.
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Politics
State leaders again want to review how Texas elects judges. Will they end partisan judicial elections?
After an election that swept scores of Republican judges out of office, Gov. Greg Abbott is eyeing judicial selection reform. Advocates hope that the perennial issue may finally draw some attention.
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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
Two controversial federal judge nominees will not be confirmed, Senate Republican says
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Republican said Wednesday that two of President Trump’s nominees for open seats on the federal bench will not be confirmed. One of them, Jeff Mateer, was nominated to serve as a federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas.