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The Latest Breaking News from Jeff Leach

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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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.

The Texas Tribune

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

Latin Times

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.

The Texas Tribune

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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.

The Texas Tribune

Texas court clears way for execution

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

Salon

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.

The Texas Tribune

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."

Latin Times

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.

The Texas Tribune

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The Texas Tribune

Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Roberson’s case

After the attorney general insisted on the death row inmate’s guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal.

The Texas Tribune

Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justice

Texas’ junk science statute has remained hamstrung for the last decade. So too have other criminal justice reforms, despite efforts from the Texas House.

The Texas Tribune

A legal battle spared Robert Roberson’s life, for now. Here’s what happens next.

The effort to spare Roberson sparked a conflict between the state’s top courts that must be resolved. When it is, the death row inmate will likely be back on the path to execution.

The Independent UK

Texas man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case awaits clemency ruling

A Texas man who this week could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is awaiting a decision on his request for clemency from a state board

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Salon

TX gives millions to anti-choice groups

Texas leads nation in funding for crisis pregnancy centers. Its system is riddled with waste and lacks oversight

The Texas Tribune

Texas funnels millions to anti-abortion groups with little oversight

Texas leads the nation in funding for crisis pregnancy centers. But they’re riddled with waste, a ProPublica and CBS News investigation found.

The Texas Tribune

Texas runoff yields no clear winner among GOP’s warring factions, setting stage for power struggle

Neither of the Texas GOP’s dueling factions landed a clean knockout blow during a grueling primary season that only seemed to set up further chaos and strife.

The Texas Tribune

State district judge recommends overturning Melissa Lucio’s death sentence

In a rare joint statement, the district attorney and the defense agreed that prosecutors withheld evidence that could point to a Rio Grande Valley woman’s innocence in the death of her toddler.

The Independent UK

Report: Belief death penalty is applied unfairly shows capital punishment's growing isolation in US

An annual report on capital punishment says more Americans now believe the death penalty is administered unfairly

The Texas Tribune

Texas secessionists feel more emboldened than ever

At a recent conference that featured a sitting state senator, so-called “TEXIT” supporters celebrated their movement’s incremental gains.

The Texas Tribune

Abbott touts school voucher deal with House leaders, but others reluctant to say if bill will pass

A deal between the governor and House would be a breakthrough after months of talks. But whether they actually have a deal is unclear.

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