Taylor Goldenstein

Texas senators running for attorney general to vote on expanding office's power Three state senators are running to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2026. They will consider a bill letting the office prosecute election fraud.

NEW: Texas senators running for attorney general to vote on bill expanding the office’s power www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Texas lawmakers to revive bill expanding legal defense for trafficking victims Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the bill and put it on the special session agenda, saying he wants a narrower version.

Mia Santoro was sentenced to 20 yrs for a deadly robbery in which she said her traffickers forced her to participate.

Advocates say her case is prime exmple of the problem w/ TX's duress defnse. After Gov vetoed a bipartisan bill, lawmakers are trying again: www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Texas' special session starts Monday. Here are the key issues up for debate Gov. Greg Abbott named nearly 20 issues to the special session agenda, including flood relief, hemp THC restrictions and redistricting.

Texas' special legislative session starts today. Here are the major issues, from a THC ban to flood relief www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski to run again for Texas attorney general Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, who came up short in the 2022 primary against former ACLU attorney Rochelle Garza, announced his second run.

Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski to run again for Texas attorney general www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... (via @benwermund.bsky.social)

State Sen. Angela Paxton files for divorce from Texas AG Ken Paxton The news comes as Ken Paxton is running for U.S. Senate in next spring’s GOP primary against incumbent John Cornyn.

NEW: State Sen. Angela Paxton files for divorce from Texas AG Ken Paxton www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Good scoop by @ryanjreilly.com.

Top DOJ official, in leaked audio, bragged at a private Republican event that the Trump admin was able to kill a longstanding Texas law that gave undocumented immigrants in-state tuition “in six hours” by coordinating with AG Ken Paxton.

Huh, that’s bizarre. I’m sorry about that! Thanks for telling me — I’ll report to our digital folks!

If you're an Express-News subscriber, you can read it here:
www.expressnews.com/politics/tex...

If you're an Austin American-Statesman subscriber, you can read it here:
www.statesman.com/story/news/p...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

Here's a gift link: www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

In suit filed today, Stone + Hilton claim Webster was angry w/ them for pushing to get access to records that they believed would expose Webster's wrongdoing.

They allege he took revenge by lying abt them to provide support for Eskew's harassment suit. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

"Decisive factor" is whether a reasonable person + Eskew would find the comment to be sexual in nature, TWC excerpt in suit reads.
"Corroborating information presented + Eskew’s testimony shows that a reasonable person would find the comment to be sexual." www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

You might've missed bc this was in amended complaint: TX Workforce Cmn concluded Eskew's claim met criteria for sexual harassment.

Suit says Stone denied sexual nature of his comment tht alcohol wasn't "most disgusting thing" that had ever been in her mouth. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

1st suit was filed by Jordan Eskew, who assisted Stone + Hilton while on leave from OAG to work on Paxton's impeachment defense team.

She accused Stone of sexual harassment on multiple occasions + Hilton of failing to intervene, which the men have denied. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

It’s unclear if claims against Webster were raised to law enforcement; he has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

Suit states Stone + Hilton reported to "appropriate authorities," but they declined interview to clarify which authorities + when. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

Frmr Solicitor General Judd Stone + former Paxton top aide Chris Hilton, allege in Bar complaint tht Paxton's top deputy, Brent Webster, threatened to fire employees who gave testimony unfavorable to Paxton during impeachment. No response yet from Webster. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Former Ken Paxton aides allege witness tampering during impeachment trial The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary.

The public feud could become a distraction for Paxton just as he’s overcome a series of legal troubles and as he launches his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next yr’s GOP primary. Paxton did not immediately respond to a request for comment. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

NEW: Several current and former staffers of AG Ken Paxton's office are trading explosive accusations in new filings, the latest of which alleges that Paxton's top deputy obstructed justice and tampered w/ witnesses during his 2023 impeachment. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Houston-area group homes close amid state funding woes, industry leaders say The state Legislature has resisted calls to significantly raise pay for the staff who support the roughly 15,000 people who live in small residential settings supported by a Medicaid waiver program.

Houston-area group homes for people with disabilities shutter as industry faces ‘crisis’, via @taygoldenstein.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Abbott vetoes summer food aid program, forgoing $450M in federal dollars Texas is one of a dozen states that doesn't participate in the Summer EBT program that gives low-income children meals when school is out.

NEW: Abbott vetoes summer food aid program, forgoing $450M in federal dollars www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Jolanda Jones jumps into race for Houston's 18th Congressional District The Texas state representative joins a growing field of Democratic candidates vying to fill the seat formerly held by Sylvester Turner and Sheila Jackson Lee.

NEW: State Rep. Jolanda Jones jumps into race for Houston's 18th Congressional District www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... #TX18

How a Texas bill defining gender could revive the failed 'bathroom bill' The proposal could enable schools to enforce bathroom rules for transgender students and impact research, police investigations and more, LGBTQ advocates said.

good story from @taygoldenstein.bsky.social in the chronicle this morning about the ripple effects of Texas' new sex definitions law, it's worth your time to sit with it:

www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Key bills that passed and failed in the Texas Legislature Lawmakers celebrated a host of policy wins as the session ended this week, including private school vouchers, teacher pay raises and a crackdown on bail.

Key bills that passed and failed in the Texas Legislature, via @taygoldenstein.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Abortion fund groups dealt setback in bid to avoid prosecution for providing aid If the ruling stands, it could leave thousands of Texans who cannot afford to leave the state for an abortion without options.

NEW: Abortion fund groups dealt setback in bid to avoid prosecution for providing aid to Texans www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Push for parental leave wanes as Texas GOP eyes other ways to help families Lawmakers are pushing ideas more aligned with the party’s business-friendly approach and the Trump administration’s push to reverse declining birth rates.

NEW: Push for parental leave wanes as Texas GOP eyes other ways to help families www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... #txlege

Really great show last night!!

@mcglinchyreports.bsky.social killed it as per usual. And the vibes in the new Bass Hall location are, as the youths say, immaculate! Highly recommend.

Texas bill would require passports, birth certificates for voter registration The measure would immediately impact about 500,000 registered voters who do not have a social security number or driver's license on file with the state.

NEW: Texans could soon need to show their passport or birth certificate to register to vote www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... #txlege

Struggling Texas families often wait months for help accessing child care Texas families struggling with child care costs are having a hard time getting access to state assistance.

Demand for Texas child care subsidies is skyrocketing, often leaving families waiting months for help, via @taygoldenstein.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

After outcry, Texas lawmakers tweak bill clarifying abortion ban exception The bill had hit a stumbling block after abortion funds warned it could help revive a 19th century law that criminalizes people seeking abortion.

NEW: After outcry, Texas lawmakers tweak bill clarifying abortion ban exception www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... #txlege

Struggling Texas families often wait months for help accessing child care Texas families struggling with child care costs are having a hard time getting access to state assistance.

In the 13-county region that includes Harris County, nearly 30K families are in line for state child care assistance, with an average wait time of about 14 months.

TX lawmakers will consider today a funding boost to the program to cut down on waitlists: www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Pro-abortion rights activists at odds over Texas bill on emergency exceptions Women denied abortions in Texas pushed back on bipartisan bill to clarify emergency exceptions at a House hearing.

NEW: Pro-abortion rights activists at odds over bill meant to clarify medical exception in Texas ban www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex... #txlege