Texas courts reporter @blaw. Type 2 fun. News or parenting tips? DM me or email rautullo@bloombergindustry.com.
Austin, Texas
- Tweets 11,788
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- Followers 8,649
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Keep in mind Gov. Greg Abbott is a former justice on the Texas Supreme Court.
Absolutely remarkable that he requested a pardon for Daniel Perry without reviewing evidence.
12 people took an oath to be fair and impartial and agreed on guilt. Abbott says he knows better than them
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BREAKING: Austin citywide boil water notice has been issued. It comes due to power loss at The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, Austin Water's largest water treatment facility.
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Personal news: yesterday I removed myself from power outage coverage and went to the hospital. There, a little earlier than expected, my wife gave birth to a darling little boy.
Mom and baby are great. Dad has much to learn and will now take a short break from work to learn it.
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Now: University of Texas at Austin hit with class action lawsuit from a student, on behalf of others, who says university's online learning options during the pandemic are inferior to the in-person education they paid for.
Board of Regents and chairman Kevin Eltife also named.
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NEW: The Statesman has obtained Chris Beard's arrest affidavit.
A woman told police Beard "choked me, threw me off the bed, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around, and going nuts."
She said the choking lasted for five seconds and impeded her breathing, police say.
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Three unsurprising lines in this story:
-Abbott did not respond to requests for comment
-Paxton, who did not respond to a request for comment ...
-DPS did not respond to a request for comment for this story #txlege
Gov. Greg Abbott boasted that Texas removed 6,500 noncitizens from its voter rolls since 2021. We found U.S. citizens among those. W/ @ViannaDavila @LChurchilll & @NataliaECG for @TexasTribune @propublica & @VotebeatUS texastribune.org/2024/10/15/…
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Travis County DA José Garza has been in office for 13 months. His office has indicted 26 cops, and has indicted at least one cop twice.
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New from us at Bloomberg Law: a key witness who ducked AG Ken Paxton's impeachment trial has been subpoenaed by the feds.
Kevin Wood, a contractor who worked on a Paxton home remodel, is scheduled to testify before a grand jury this month. @blaw #txlege
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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New: An investigative tool Texas AG Ken Paxton uses to probe companies and organizations is unconstitutional, a federal judge in Austin said today.
Paxton used the tool - Request to Examine - to probe El Paso migrant nonprofit Annunciation House.#txlege
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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Job news: I am now with Bloomberg Law covering Texas courts.
Moving forward, this account will focus less on legislation at #txlege and more on lawsuits spurred by that legislation.
Forever grateful for my nine years @statesman. Thank you for reading and for making my job fun!
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AG Ken Paxton tells Daily Caller he'll file criminal complaints after House impeachment managers released a document with his home address.
Worth noting: Paxton's home address is available online through the Travis County Appraisal District.
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On Chris Beard:
-Many family violence arrests are a misdemeanor. This is a felony.
-Beard is alleged to have choked complaining witness. Advocates are deeply concerned when choking is involved.
-Incident alleged to have happened at Beard's house. In Sept., house went up for sale.
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Today, I paid $20.25 to park in downtown Austin at a street meter. That covered me for a little more than eight hours.
The penalty for parking at an expired meter I've since learned is $20.
So, yes, I lost money by following the law.
@austintexasgov
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Mayor Kirk Watson: "I've been frustrated and disappointed in the communication that I feel like should have been better with the people of the city. A press conference like this to answer questions should have happened before now."
Obvious question: Why didn't Watson call one?
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Chris Beard told police that he has audio recordings showing he was not the primary aggressor. He was asked if he would be willing to share those audio recordings to which he said no.
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Oh my.
Billionaire George Soros is involved in Austin's Prop A police staffing initiative.
On Monday, Soros' Open Society Policy Center transferred $500k to Equity Austin to defeat Prop A.
Soros not new to town. He pumped big money into DAs race in 2020 to support Jose Garza.
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BREAKING: Austin's boil water notice is over after 75 hours.
The notice had been in place since Saturday evening, the result of human error that led to heightened levels of turbidity, or cloudiness, at a city treatment plant.
1 million Austin Water customers were impacted.
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BREAKING: Chris Beard's fiancée gives first statement since the University of Texas basketball coach's arrest for family violence on Dec. 12.
She says Beard did not strangle her and she does not refute Beard's statement that he acted in self defense.
Story to come @statesman.
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9 years ago this month I began at @statesman. The paper was excellent and employees were happy.
Today, I stand with my colleagues on a one-day strike. @Gannett, while in deep debt, can do more for us.
My younger friends deserve the Statesman I came into in 2014.
Back Tuesday.
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New: DA José Garza requests meeting with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to oppose pardon for convicted murderer Daniel Perry.
Garza says he wants to present evidence considered by jurors.
Gov. Greg Abbott says the verdict was unjust and that he hopes to pardon Perry.
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*Unofficial*
Republicans flip 23 benches held by Dems - seven in Dallas, three in Edinburg, five in Houston's 1st Court, five in Houston's 14th Court, and three in San Antonio.
Republicans go 31-1 in head to head races with Dems.
Dem win was in Austin and by 2%. #txlege
There are 32 contested races in Texas appeals courts.
Republicans are leading in all but one.
We're on track for a lot of blue-to-red flips in Houston and Dallas.
#txlege
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In Austin, with a population around 1 million, the mayor's race is decided by fewer votes than the population in Mustang Ridge.
Unreal.
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BREAKING: Texas House candidate Justin Berry is among 19 Austin Police officers indicted in 2020 protests.
Berry (R) faces 3 others in HD 19 primary. Early voting began Monday.
His lawyer, Ken Ervin, declined comment: "We'll have plenty of comments later, but not now."
#txlege
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Capitol building filling up 70 minutes before House vote on impeachment of AG Ken Paxton.
Unfortunately for Paxton, most of the visitors appear to be weekend tourists and not the protesters Paxton had asked to come. #txlege
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ACL lineups aren't getting worse.
You're getting old.
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Big news for Longhorns football fans.
Texas House passes HB 2415, which would exempt UT from Capitol view height restrictions.
Bill paves way for UT to build taller scoreboard at north end of DKR stadium. It now goes to the Senate. #txlege
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Former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, tells @statesman he might run for mayor in November 2022.
Watson was Austin's mayor from 1997-2001.
"I'm considering it seriously. That includes talking to people, doing some research and considering what I want to be doing right now."
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HUGE homelessness news:
Tomorrow, Travis County commissioners will consider allocating $110M in federal ARPA funds to build housing for the homeless population.
Money would fund creation of more than 2,000 new units and take major bite out of community goal of 3,000 new units.
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New: Ted Cruz’s top aide testified in DOJ's Ken Paxton bribery probe, source tells @BLaw.
Also, Texas prosecutors previously handling case had prepared a draft to indict Paxton on bribery and obstruction before DOJ took over, another source says. #txlege
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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Interesting exchange at gas station:
Man at next pump poked head around and asked, "Is your dad alive?" Didn't know where he was going, but I engaged. My dad is alive; mom is not.
He said his dad died this week and he's having a hard time.
He told me to call my dad, so I did.
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Kevin Wood’s grand jury subpoena is significant in that it signals federal authorities, who opened a bribery investigation into Ken Paxton three years ago, are not backing off even after the attorney general was acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial last month. #txlege
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Austin Dem Sarah Eckhardt voted against rules in Paxton trial. In statement to Senate Journal she says many are unprecedented & favor Paxton.
"Most disturbing is the unprecedented ability of the defense to win a dismissal of an Article of Impeachment by a simple majority vote."
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BREAKING: Kirk Watson appears to have won the runoff election to be Austin's next mayor.
Watson, unofficially, defeats Celia Israel by under 900 votes.
In Travis County, Israel topped Watson by just 17 votes, but Watson won big in Williamson County.
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Outside lawyer investigating AG Ken Paxton on behalf of House General Investigating committee says two Paxton homes have homestead exemptions. State law allows for just one. #txlege
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Maybe he was safe regardless, but DA Jose Garza likely secured a second term in the last 24 hours.
Winning a highly politicized case that Gov. Greg Abbott wants to overturn plays very well with Travis County Democratic voters.
Garza is up for reelection in 2024.
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BREAKING: The manhunt for the Austin yoga instructor charged with killing pro cyclist Moriah Wilson ends after six weeks with her arrest in Costa Rica.
Kaitlin Armstrong's arrest came about 50 days after the shooting. She is charged with murder and unlawful flight.
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Stalwart #txlege reporter @RyanChandlerTV tells us that over a six-month period, AG Ken Paxton's press office received 2,700 emails. The office's account sent just eight emails in that time.
Gov. Greg Abbott's press office similarly ignores almost all media requests.
502 days ago, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a press conference — one of just two he has called in the last year and a half. He took no questions.
trib.al/nYl6y4b
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Ken Paxton said he'd file criminal complaints against 12 House impeachment managers for releasing home address.
Best I can tell he's filed two. In one, the DA won't file charges. In the other, the DA asked Paxton fill out a form. Paxton didn't. #txlege
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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As of 10:15 a.m., Chris Beard remains in the Travis County jail. He has yet to face a magistrate judge.
Beard was booked six hours earlier on a charge of felony family violence.
By the end of the day we hope to obtain the probable cause affidavit and Beard's booking photo.
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EXCLUSIVE: Federal prosecutors have seated a grand jury in San Antonio and called witnesses close to Ken Paxton to testify. The latest from @tplohetski and I. #txlege
statesman.com/story/news/pol… via @statesman
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BREAKING: Texas House General Investigating Committee votes unanimously, 5-0, to adopt articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton. #txlege
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Trying to make friends in Austin sounds like this:
You: So what do you do?
Them: I'm in strategic development for block chain cloud based direct to consumer technology consulting
You: Ok, but like what is it you exactly do?
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New: Ken Paxton's state securities case has a court setting for Aug. 3, prosecutors say.
The case was recently returned to Harris County after Paxton fought unsuccessfully to get it tried in Collin County, where he's from.
Case has been lingering since 2015 indictment. #txlege
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For some reason there's this notion that many people living on Austin's streets want to be there and would turn down housing, if offered.
Not true.
45 people living at the encampment at Ben White/Menchaca agreed to relocate to city-owned hotel. Two people declined that offer.
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Training with a newborn is HARD. Training with a newborn while covering the #txlege is damn near IMPOSSIBLE.
Though low on sleep and weekly mileage, I’m honored to toe the line tomorrow at @bostonmarathon.
Been looking forward to this day for years.
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How does Austin Police feel about Prop B?
Last week, the police labor union contributed $27,000 to Save Austin Now --- the PAC behind the push to reinstate criminal penalties for camping.
Election day tomorrow.
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Breaking rule against posting work stuff while on vacation because I need clarity.
Did Mayor Kirk Watson cite comments from third grader, later found to be false or misleading, to end the APD-DPS strategy, only for Gov. Greg Abbott to say no way and send MORE officers to Austin?
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Very important to not load up on water from your faucet right now and risk harming the city's already low water supply. Conserve. Authorities are saying to only use what you need for essential functions.
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Challenging stretch politically for Mayor Kirk Watson.
He’s been trying to assure GOP state lawmakers that he’ll bring sensibility to Austin and that they should stand down.
He then sides against Austin police in contract negotiations and wakes up to this street racing thing.
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The woman, who lives with Beard, told police the two had been arguing for days about their relationship.
The woman said that last night she took reading glasses from Beard's hand and broke them. Beard, she told police, then slapped her glasses from her face.
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Twitter friends, please confirm and add to.
No water
78735, 736, 745, 749, 752, 753, 758. Leander? Pflugerville?
Low water
78723, 748
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BREAKING: Kirk Watson, who was Austin's mayor from 1997 to 2001 before serving 13-plus years in the Texas Senate, says he hopes to be mayor again and is entering the race to replace Steve Adler in the November election.
#txlege
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Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car is so good and so timeless.
Song’s 30 years old and if it dropped today it would be No. 1 on the charts within a week.
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Austin City Council members Paige Ellis and Natasha Harper-Madison are requesting special called meeting “to know more about how we got under this boil water notice, and how we can prevent another one in the future.”
Ellis and NHM are only two members up for reelection in 2022.
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At morning presser, Austin Mayor Steve Adler fuming over Gov. Abbott's lifting of mask mandate.
"There's no explanation for the governor's action other than trying to distract us and the media from the failure of the state to protect us from the power outage."
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Used to get annoyed by parents over posting about their kids.
Then I had one.
Now I realize it’s not because we think they’re special but because we have absolutely nothing else happening in our lives worth telling y’all about.
Here’s Andrew, 15 months.
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I removed a tweet on Chris Beard that identified his relationship with the complainant in his arrest. I did this out of privacy concerns for the complainant.
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Now: Austin City Council members approve significant salary increases for themselves.
It's a 40% raise for the 10 district council members, and a 37% raise for the mayor.
It passed 8-3, and, interestingly, the three youngest council members voted no: Ellis, Fuentes, Kelly.
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Austin City Council members are discussing public testimony and the length of council meetings.
Natasha Harper-Madison has a brilliant idea. She encourages council members to "talk less."
Bless her.
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I was scooped by the Statesman!
As story says, I accepted a position to stay here to be the Texas chief political reporter. Trading City Hall for the Capitol.
Move effective after election. Appreciate your clicks over the years. #txlege
statesman.com/story/news/loc… via @statesman
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NOW: Austin's Prop A police staffing plan got crushed in early voting in Travis County.
For: 32% (27,913)
Against: 67% (57,109)
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Can't think of anywhere in Austin I'd rather be less right now than camping in the woods next to crumbling trees.
Scary times for the homeless population.
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Leaving Uvalde and heading home after three tough days.
The folks here and in neighboring towns are lovely. They graciously gave me directions, taco recommendations, story guidance, and wifi passwords.
What a horrific reason for meeting these people.
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NOW: House Bill that could derail Austin's Project Connect unravels on a successful point of order from Austin Rep. John Bucy.
Bill returns to Senate for further action. But, with four days left in the session, it's unclear if the issue can be resolved.
More to come.
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Big Texas counties for Biden, so far.
Travis, 72%
Dallas, 65%
Bexar, 58%
Harris, 56%
Tarrant, 49%
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Woah! Travis County appraisals are out and my home increased in value by 120 PERCENT.
Anyone else getting killed?
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There are 32 contested races in Texas appeals courts.
Republicans are leading in all but one.
We're on track for a lot of blue-to-red flips in Houston and Dallas.
#txlege
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There's a belief by some that people experiencing homelessness would rather be outdoors than in shelter.
The numbers don't support that.
Per city's homeless strategy officer, 93% of people offered a hotel room under Austin's HEAL plan have said yes.
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Now: Four Austin business owners join PAC Save Austin Now in new lawsuit alleging the city of Austin is not fully enforcing the homeless camping ban voters approved during the May 1 election.
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What does $1,250,000 get you in West Austin right now?
Your grandma's yellow carpet and window shades in a 1950s ranch the sellers tout as a "fantastic development opportunity."
This housing market is beyond out of control.
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New: Ex-Texas Solicitor General Judd Stone quit rather than get fired after two employees accused him of harassment, one says in a lawsuit.
Stone also made threats that caused First Assistant Brent Webster to fear for family's safety, suit says. #txlege
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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New: Austin taxpayers sue to stop city from collecting $187M in taxes for light rail.
Taxes shouldn't be collected because previous taxes are unspent, they say.
Plaintiffs include commissioner Margaret Gomez & Dirty Martin's.
Repped by @aleshirelaw.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
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Paul Yetter, lawyer for foster care children, called ruling "a sad day for Texas children."
“For over a decade, Judge Jack pushed the state to fix its broken system. She deserves a medal for what she’s done. We will keep fighting to ensure these children are safe.” #txlege
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I like dogs and I’m glad that Austin likes dogs.
But can we keep them out of the grocery store?
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Big win for @TexasTribune in Western District of Texas.
Trib sued Caldwell County for access to bail hearings.
Yesterday, a federal judge issued preliminary injunction telling Caldwell County to stop restricting press and public from these hearings. March 4 deadline to comply.
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Don’t have many life goals. One of them is to run the Boston Marathon.
Had hoped to qualify in:
2018 (Austin; ankle surgery)
2019 (Vancouver; re-injured stupid ankle)
2020 (Eugene; pandemic)
2021 (Eugene; still pandemic)
Grateful to have an opportunity Sunday @HoustonMarathon.
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Save Austin Now with a warm and touching tribute to Greg Casar, who announced today he's leaving the city council to run for Congress.
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Statesman is hearing multiple areas in South Austin and Southwest Austin have little to no water.
Austin Water plans to issue a press release very soon on this situation.
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New: Austin City Council D9 runoff candidate Zo Qadri announces endorsement from Council Member Chito Vela.
Vela also supports Celia Israel for mayor.
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The Texas Supreme Court, which will decide Gov. Abbott's petition to expel Rep. Gene Wu for orchestrating House Democrat quorum break, isn't just all-Republican.
Six of the nine justices are on the bench via an Abbott appointment. #txlege
Today I took emergency action to begin the removal from office of derelict Democrat Texas House members who refuse to show up for the special session.
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Tents are back on Austin's downtown hike-and-bike trail as city wrestles with enforcement statesman.com/story/news/202… via @statesman
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Some number crunching in the Austin mayor's race.
Celia Israel spent $3 per vote.
Kirk Watson spent $11 per vote.
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Spotted on morning run: longtime @TexasLonghorns associate athletic director Chris Plonsky picking up street trash on Mesa. She tells me she does it to "keep Austin beautiful."
Great job, CP.
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As we stay up hoping Austin ends the boil water notice tonight, let's all be honest with one another.
Who has been boiling their drinking water these past four days?
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EXCLUSIVE: University of Texas to announce plans Monday for Austin campus hospital in partnership with cancer treatment giant MD Anderson.
My latest with @tplohetski. #txlege
statesman.com/story/news/loc… via @statesman
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NOW: Brad Ayala, a teenager who fell limp after being struck in the head by a police bean bang round in the 2020 Austin protests, will receive $2.95 million in a settlement with the city.
This follows the city recently paying a combined $10M to two other injured protesters.
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Now: City clerk certifies voter petition from Save Austin Now to require minimum staffing levels for the Austin Police Department.
Save Austin Now submitted more than 27,000 signatures on July 19. 20,000 had to be verified.
This heads to the November ballot.
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This trial is beginning to take a toll.
This morning, the 7-month-old is fussing and giving me a hard time.
I responded: "Everything you just said is untrue and offensive and therefore I plead not guilty." #txlege
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José Garza to the Pardons and Parole Board:
"Before making any decision, I implore you to review the trial transcript, evidence from trial officials that may have an impact on public safety, and request input from the victim’s family as to how a pardon may impact them.
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Austin police to start handing out camping ban citations Sunday statesman.com/story/news/202… via @statesman
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Twitter is filled with dangerous misinformation in the shooting death of protester Garrett Foster.
Stick with local media, not out of town trolls.
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BREAKING: A Travis County judge rules HB 2127 - the so-called "Death Star" local preemption bill - unconstitutional.
Ruling from Judge Maya Guerra Gamble comes two days before HB 2127 was set to go into effect on Sept. 1.
More to come.
#txlege
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