Welcome back, friends
Texas House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee chair Jeff Leach, a Republican, and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee chair Joe Moody, a Democrat, submitted a filing with the Texas Supreme Court, emphasizing judicial independence and the separation of powers. Attorney General Ken Paxton publicly called for Leach’s resignation following Leach’s private communications to Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Michelle Slaughter, requesting mercy to be shown on the Robert Roberson’s execution. 8-day-out Campaign Finance Reports are now available.
Today’s Insights:
- Moody, Leach Ask Texas Supreme Court to Rule on Legislative Subpoena
- AG Paxton Calls for Rep. Leach’s Resignation Following Private Communication with Judge
- 8-day-out Campaign Finance Reports
Moody and Leach File for Judicial Independence in Texas Supreme Court
Texas House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Chair Jeff Leach, a Republican, and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chair Joe Moody, a Democrat, submitted a filing to the Texas Supreme Court highlighting the judiciary's role in maintaining the separation of powers. The brief focuses on whether the committee's subpoena power is enforceable and if the executive branch must comply. Without enforceability, the legislature may lack authority to compel executive testimony, potentially weakening legislative oversight and shifting the balance of power toward the executive branch.
Download Filing Below:
RELATOR’S BRIEF ON THE MERITS.pdf
AG Paxton Calls for Rep. Leach’s Resignation Following Private Communication with Judge
Attorney General Ken Paxton has called for Rep. Jeff Leach’s resignation following Leach’s private communication with Judge Michelle Slaughter of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals about Robert Roberson's death row case. Leach admitted the communication was an error. Paxton, citing ethical concerns, also announced a criminal referral against Leach. Notably, Slaughter was among three judges defeated in the 2024 Republican primary after Paxton opposed them; the court previously ruled in 2021 that Paxton lacked unilateral authority to prosecute voter fraud.
8-Day-Out Campaign Finance Reports Available on USLege
The 8-day-out campaign finance reports are now available. Visit USLege to access updated campaign finance data and insights.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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Bills and Business is your go-to podcast for conversations related to Texas legislation and business. Hosted by Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege—an AI-driven legislative tracking software—we bring you in-depth analysis on economic trends, impactful legislation, and key developments shaping Texas business.
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
