Legal News
Latest updates from Houston & Texas
texas News
Legal and political developments related to texas, analyzed from a civil rights perspective.
Articles tagged "texas"
Texas Grand Jury Declines Indictment in Fatal 2025 Shooting by ICE Agent
A Texas grand jury has declined to indict an ICE agent in the fatal 2025 shooting of U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez on South Padre Island, citing a lack of probable cause. This "no bill" decision leaves the family seeking further transparency regarding the evidence presented, highlighting ongoing questions about federal agent accountability and public access to investigation findings.
Texas Education Board Approves 4,200 Curriculum Fixes, Raising Legal and Fiscal Questions
Texas's State Board of Education has preliminarily approved 4,200 corrections to a state-developed, Bible-infused elementary curriculum, raising significant legal questions about the separation of church and state under the First Amendment. This costly repair, borne by taxpayers, highlights a lack of accountability for curriculum errors and concerns over biased historical content, impacting over 400,000 students.
Faith and Campaigns: Churches' Influence on Texas Senate Primary
The Texas Senate Democratic primary illustrates how religious institutions deeply influence political campaigns and public policy debates. Candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico draw on church power for voter mobilization, civil rights, and social welfare advocacy, highlighting First Amendment considerations.
Texas Primaries Reveal Key Legal Fights and Public Policy Crossroads
New poll numbers for the 2026 Texas primaries show critical legal and public policy implications, with U.S. Senate and Attorney General races likely heading to runoffs. These elections will determine who shapes state legal strategy and federal legislation, directly impacting Texans' constitutional rights and everyday lives.
Texas Comptroller Race: Fiscal Duties Take Back Seat to Culture War Debates
The Texas Comptroller election is seeing candidates prioritize social issues like DEI, trans athletes, and immigration over traditional fiscal duties. This shift could transform the office's role, potentially using financial power to influence social policy, raising significant legal and constitutional questions about discrimination and the appropriate use of state funds.
Houston Rep. Al Green Ejected Again, Sparking Debate on Free Speech and Congressional Decorum
Houston Rep. Al Green's second removal from Congress during a Trump speech for displaying a protest sign raises critical legal questions about the balance between a legislator's right to free speech and the rules governing congressional decorum. This incident is set against a backdrop of partisan redistricting, a move with significant public policy implications that could reshape Texas's political landscape and Green's reelection prospects.
Houston Legal Experts Tackle Social Media Addiction & Shifting Political Landscape
A landmark trial in Houston is questioning if social media platforms are intentionally addictive for young users, potentially setting new legal precedents for corporate responsibility. Concurrently, the rising influence of social media personalities in Texas politics is reshaping political discourse and raising public policy concerns about election fairness.
Texas Legal Battles: Social Media, Elections, and Public Safety Face Scrutiny
Houston and Texas are grappling with significant legal challenges ranging from corporate accountability in social media addiction to government oversight in public safety. Courts are examining tech company responsibilities to users and state officials' duties to citizens, alongside emerging legal questions in election integrity and autonomous vehicle liability. These cases stand to redefine consumer protection, election rules, and regulatory frameworks across the state.
Texas ICE Facilities Face Legal Scrutiny After Homicide Ruling, Surge in Deaths
Six deaths in six weeks at Texas ICE facilities, including one ruled a homicide, are bringing intense legal and public policy scrutiny to the state's overcrowded and under-regulated immigrant detention system. Issues range from alleged medical neglect and staff violence to lack of oversight and delayed investigations, raising serious questions about due process and human rights in federal custody. Critics warn that plans for further expansion will only worsen what's already a humanitarian and civil rights crisis.
Texas Primary Propositions: What Your 'Opinion Poll' Vote Means for State Law
Texas primary ballots include non-binding propositions that act as crucial public opinion polls for political parties, directly shaping their platforms and influencing future state legislation. Your vote on these proposals, covering issues from property taxes and healthcare to immigration and voting rights, helps signal policy priorities for the state. Understanding these propositions is key to seeing potential legal and public policy shifts in Texas.
Texas Primary Turnout Surges: What It Means for Your Rights and State Policy
Early voting for Texas's 2026 party primaries saw a significant turnout, signaling strong public engagement with crucial legal and policy matters. Voters' motivations, from historical voting rights struggles and economic concerns to judicial selections and calls for equitable representation, directly influence the legal framework and public policies debated in our state. These elections are foundational for who gets to shape Texas law, impacting citizens' constitutional rights and daily lives.