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The Latest Breaking News from Jeff Leach

Judge sets Robert Roberson’s execution date for Oct. 16

Wednesday’s decision affirms Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request for an October execution date for Roberson, whose case has divided the state’s Republicans.

The Texas Tribune

Top Texas donor slams Speaker Burrows, House members after legislative setbacks

Texans for Lawsuit Reform is threatening to primary House members who helped kill their major legislative priorities.

The Texas Tribune

Texas parents and teachers worry bills to root out liberal sway from public schools pave the way for conservative bias

Advocates say the bills will give parents more power over their children’s schools. Critics say they don’t give parents anything they didn’t already have and will only strain their relationship with teachers.

The Texas Tribune

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In final act, Texas Legislature boosts judges’ pay and lawmaker pensions

House and Senate members agreed that judges needed a pay raise. But they spent the final hours of the legislative session debating whether Texas lawmakers should also benefit from the boost.

The Texas Tribune

Long-awaited raise for Texas judges in limbo over legislative pension clash

A bill to increase judicial salaries from $140,000 to $175,000 a year stalled amid a disagreement over lawmakers’ own retirement benefits.

The Texas Tribune

Texas DEI ban in public schools approved in the House

Senate Bill 12’s supporters say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas.

The Texas Tribune

Bill to teach Texas kids the dangers of communism — but not fascism — clears the Legislature

The bill won bipartisan support despite efforts from multiple Democrats that would have also required students to learn about fascism and Nazism.

The Texas Tribune

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Texas continues to restrict the care women receive - but hey, moms could soon use the carpool lane

The Texas House passed a bill on the eve of Mother’s Day, allowing a woman who is ‘pregnant or is a parent or legal guardian’ to drive in the carpool lane even if there are no other passengers

The Independent UK

Texas lawmakers debating DEI ban in K-12 schools ask: Do students benefit from teachers who look like them?

Conservative lawmakers say DEI efforts are discriminatory and push liberal ideologies on children. Critics point to research showing a diverse teacher body helps students succeed academically.

The Texas Tribune

“A gift to our mothers”: Moms could drive solo in car pool lanes under Texas House bill

The bill originally allowed pregnant women to drive in HOV lanes, to be consistent with Texas abortion laws, but legislators extended it to all mothers.

The Texas Tribune

Texas House votes to strictly define man and woman, excluding trans people from state records

If it becomes law, the bill would define sex based on reproductive organs and require state documents and policies to comply with that framework.

The Texas Tribune

Texas House OKs bill that gives schools more latitude to discipline students

A last-minute amendment would require students to go to alternative education settings if they attack a teacher or make terroristic threats.

The Texas Tribune

Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.

Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.

The Texas Tribune

Debate on House’s school voucher bill centers on a question: Should wealthy Texans be included?

The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.

The Texas Tribune

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The Texas Tribune

Casino and sports betting companies press for a win in Texas despite Senate opposition

With plenty of patience and money, the industry is extending its multi-year campaign to bring legal casinos and sports betting to the state.

Latin Times

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Supports Legalizing Sports Gambling, Says He Would Be 'Shocked' If There 'Were Not Some Texans Who Do It Already'

The closest Texas has gotten to legalize sports gambling was in 2023, when a bill by State Rep. Jeff Leach cleared the House by an 82-51 vote but was never picked up by Texas Senate

The Texas Tribune

Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony after new legal move

Attorney General Ken Paxton sought to delay legal proceedings until Jan. 13 — the day before the committee disbands — even as lawmakers vowed to continue fighting to hear from Roberson.

The Texas Tribune

Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying

The motion escalates a tense standoff between Paxton and a bipartisan Texas House committee, which had subpoenaed Roberson to testify at the Capitol on Friday.

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The Texas Tribune

Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time

The new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxton’s office stalled a previous effort to get Roberson’s legislative testimony about his conviction in “shaken baby” case.

Salon

Texas court clears way for execution

Robert Roberson evaded execution last month when legislators tossed him a lifeline. Texas' top court just tossed it

The Texas Tribune

Texas can schedule Robert Roberson’s execution — but lawmakers still expect his testimony first

Roberson was convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in a “shaken baby” case that many say led to an innocent man’s death sentence.

Latin Times

AG Paxton Says GOP Rep 'Must Resign' After Confession of Texting Judge on Behalf of Death Row Inmate

Rep. Jeffrey Leach apologized and dismissed Paxton's request : "I'm not afraid to admit when I mess up."

The Texas Tribune

Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson case

The AG also said he’d make a criminal referral against the lawmaker, who apologized for texting a Court of Criminal Appeals judge about a new trial for the death row inmate.

The Texas Tribune

Ken Paxton resisting Texas House members’ bid to hear Robert Roberson’s testimony

Members of a Texas House committee say in a Texas Supreme Court filing that Paxton’s office is blocking the death row inmate from complying with a legislative subpoena.

The Texas Tribune

State Rep. Jeff Leach asked Texas judge to consider a new Robert Roberson trial in apparent conduct violation

Leach, one of the driving forces behind the effort to stop Roberson’s execution, later apologized to the judge, who told the lawmaker there were still pending matters before the court.

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