Business
February 5, 2021
Texas Payday Lenders Get Millions in Pandemic Relief Money
Many short-term lenders receive government help even as their ultrahigh interest rates trap vulnerable customers in debt.
Ken Paxton
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2021
The Texas GOP Returns to Its Favorite Pastime: Infighting
With state government more firmly in Republican hands, the next year will feature a return of the Republican civil war. Here are the skirmishes to watch for.
Politics & Policy
December 16, 2020
Bum Steer Awards, 2021: Get Ready for the Amazing Adventures of PAXT-MAN!
Can you help Texas's attorney general escape the long arm of the law?…
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2020
Ken Paxton Takes His Texas Grifting to the National Stage
Facing a bribery allegation and criminal fraud charges, the Texas attorney general is tossing his supporters fresh red meat by leading an attempt to overturn the will of American voters.
Politics & Policy
October 5, 2020
The Calls of Impropriety Are Coming From Inside Ken Paxton’s Office
The Texas attorney general has called his 2015 indictment for securities fraud a “witch hunt.” Now, seven of his aides accuse him of corruption.
Politics & Policy
September 11, 2020
Greg Abbott’s “Back the Blue” Posse Can’t Shoot Straight
Facing down a potential Democrat-controlled Texas House, the governor has made a hard push to reframe the November election on his terms.
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2020
Could Voting by Mail in November Become an Act of Civil Disobedience?
Unless the courts rule decisively, Texas voters could face a terrible choice: risk their health at the polls, or risk prosecution by using a mail-in ballot.
Politics & Policy
May 15, 2020
Why Does Attorney General Ken Paxton Want to Make Voting a Death-Defying Act?
The resignation of a key election official serves as a warning about the dangers of conducting elections in person during the coronavirus pandemic.
Politics & Policy
May 5, 2020
Will Texans Be Able to Vote by Mail?
The question is making its way through the courts, after Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed a state judge’s ruling.
Politics & Policy
April 13, 2020
The State’s Ban Isn’t Stopping Texans From Getting Abortions
Governor Greg Abbott's order, closing abortion clinics through April 21, has sent many out of state to seek the procedure—in the middle of the pandemic.
News
July 29, 2019
Texas Might Kill Obamacare, But State Leaders Don’t Seem to Have a Plan for What’s Next
In the event that millions lose their health insurance and protections for preexisting conditions disappear, the state has no real backup plan.
Border & Immigration
July 22, 2019
Should Texas Sue the Federal Government Over Border Costs?
Two Texas Democrats are calling on Republican attorney general Ken Paxton to sue the feds for reimbursement of border security costs. But legal experts think it’s a bad idea.
Politics & Policy
February 22, 2019
Best & Worst Legislators in Real Time: Senator Angela Paxton, for Filing Legislation That Could Directly Benefit Her Indicted Husband
The rookie lawmaker stunned the Texas Senate.
Politics & Policy
February 8, 2019
Best and Worst Legislators in Real Time: Senator Kirk Watson
The Austin senator grills the secretary of state to get to the bottom of the controversial elections advisory.
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2019
Texan Wrongfully Flagged For Possible Illegal Voting Joins Lawsuit Against Texas Officials
A U.S. citizen for just 10 months, Julieta Garibay has emerged as the face of plaintiffs who say that tens of thousands of Texans have been falsely accused of voter fraud.
Politics & Policy
September 26, 2018
Ken Paxton Backs Expulsion of Student Who Refused to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
The attorney general’s office says that Texas law supports the school.
The Culture
September 4, 2018
Matthew McConaughey and Ken Paxton Team Up Against Human Trafficking
The surprising pair has joined forces for a noble cause.
BBQ
August 16, 2018
Sid Miller Is Still Obsessed With Barbecue Scales
Despite Attorney General Ken Paxton’s advice, the agriculture commissioner won’t let go of barbecue scale enforcement.
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2018
Democrat Justin Nelson’s Campaign Is Making a Lot of Noise About Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Indictment
In our podcast, the Houston lawyer argues that Texans should be embarrassed by Paxton’s criminal indictment.
Border & Immigration
May 1, 2018
Paxton Sues to End Protections Against Deportation for Young Immigrants
President Obama may be gone, but he’s not forgotten in the politics of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Politics & Policy
March 21, 2018
Attorney General Ken Paxton Spread False Information on Austin Bombings
Paxton incorrectly whipped up fear on Sean Hannity’s national television show.
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2017
Ken Paxton Rules That Licensed Handgun Owners Can Bring a Firearm to Church
The attorney general issued the opinion to provide legal options for improving church security in Texas.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Ken Paxton Edition
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Politics & Policy
December 8, 2016
The Paxton Files
A few more tidbits on the controversial Texas attorney general.
Politics & Policy
November 22, 2016
The Televangelism of Ken Paxton
It’s been a difficult two years in office for Texas’s attorney general. First came his indictment on multiple felonies, then an embarrassing series of missteps and staff shake-ups. Now, with his trial looming, he’s seeking salvation one live television interview at a time.
Politics & Policy
April 12, 2016
Ken Paxton’s Legal Battles, Explained
The embattled AG was charged by the SEC on Monday, which may have given casual observers déjà vu.
Politics & Policy
April 11, 2016
More Indictments for Texas’s Attorney General
The SEC has added three more civil charges to Ken Paxton's tab.
The Daily Post
January 20, 2016
Ken Paxton Says That Daily Sports Fantasy Sites Are Illegal Gambling In Texas
He’s not wrong about that, but is this an opportunity to reconsider gambling laws?…
Border & Immigration
November 24, 2015
Greg Abbott Loves Small Government—Until He Doesn’t Like What People Do With It
According to the governor, local mayors aren’t allowed to ban firearms in their city halls, and religious charities can only help people he approves of.
Politics & Policy
September 8, 2015
Texas on Trial
What the scandal surrounding Attorney General Ken Paxton tells us about Texas politics.
Politics & Policy
September 8, 2015
Stinging Indictment
The scandal isn’t Ken Paxton’s alleged crimes. It’s that he was elected in the first place.
Politics & Policy
September 1, 2015
A Tenuous Defense of Ken Paxton
The latest on our embattled attorney general. Plus: A Scoop!…
Politics & Policy
August 24, 2015
62% of Texas Republicans Want Paxton to Resign
First question: Who are the 38%?…
Politics & Policy
August 3, 2015
Ken Paxton And His Legal Team Are Being Awfully Quiet Now That He’s Been Indicted
The Attorney General of Texas doesn’t usually shy away from the spotlight, but after turning himself in for three felony charges Monday, the outspoken chief civil lawyer for the state has been shockingly reticent.
Politics & Policy
August 3, 2015
The Existential Conundrum of Covering Ken Paxton
The latest “news” about the Texas attorney general.
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2015
Indictments Are Imminent For Texas’s Attorney General
On Monday, per WFAA, the state’s top law enforcement official will be charged with multiple felonies.
Politics & Policy
July 31, 2015
Weekend Reading
A look back at two other attorney-generals who ran into trouble.
The Daily Post
July 14, 2015
Rusk County Clerk Resigned Rather Than Issue Gay Marriage Licenses
Say what you will about her position, Joyce Lewis-Kugle displayed the courage of her conviction. …
Politics & Policy
July 2, 2015
The Ken Paxton Problem
As bad as it is, it goes beyond any possible criminal wrongdoing.
The Daily Post
June 29, 2015
The First 72 Hours of Legal Gay Marriage in Texas Have Been Eventful
Straight couples were forced to wait for licenses, Texas’s attorney general captured the world’s attention, and a lot of gay couples got married. …
Politics & Policy
June 29, 2015
Out of Step (And Falling Behind)
The recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court show how far Texas has fallen from the mainstream. The recent reactions by our leaders only make it worse.
The Daily Post
June 26, 2015
The Supreme Court’s Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage and What That Means for Texans Today
The implications of the Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling for the country are sweeping, but in Texas right now, there are still questions that need answering. …
Politics & Policy
April 13, 2015
Big Bucks Deer Hunting and The Bad Boys
High dollar deer hunting is in the news, and so are some of the state’s political bad boys.
Politics & Policy
April 9, 2015
Grand Jury Goes Rogue on Attorney General Ken Paxton
If the Collin County district attorney won’t investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton for securities violations, a rogue grand jury will.
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2015
A Week Full of Texas Political Scandal
This week’s Texas political scandal roundup.
Politics & Policy
February 21, 2015
Texas Might Have Married Its First Same-Sex Couple
What started as a small wedding ceremony outside a Travis County office resulted in a political storm that left the couple, and the rest of the state, confused.
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2014
Friday Afternoon Open Thread
The border surge, extended. Immigration action, executed. Hispanic voters, considered. And more! …
Politics & Policy
October 6, 2014
An Update on the AG Race
Ken Paxton remains an alarmingly safe bet…
Politics & Policy
June 4, 2014
Well, well, well
The Texas Public Policy Foundation changes its view of state spending.
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2014
The Big Day
Texans are heading to the polls for this year's primary runoffs…