https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/james-barragan/The latest news by James Barragán.enFri, 30 Jun 2023 12:32:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/carlos-uresti-prison-release-senator/The Democrat from San Antonio was initially sentenced in 2018 to 12 years in federal prison. His sentence was later reduced, and he will stay in a halfway house until December 2024.James BarragánFri, 30 Jun 2023 12:32:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/carlos-uresti-prison-release-senator/Carlos Uresti talks with the media after his sentencing in federal court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator was released from federal prison Friday, his lawyer said.Carlos Uresti talks with the media following his sentencing in Federal Court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator will be released today from federal prison after serving more than 4 years of a 12-year sentence.Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday.Joshua Fechter, Karen Brooks Harper and James BarragánWed, 28 Jun 2023 15:35:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-legislature-special-session-ends/Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to the Capitol for round two, hoping to break an impasse that has outlasted the regular session and one overtime period.James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 27 Jun 2023 13:08:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-legislature-special-session-ends/The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6.The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6, 2023 in Austin.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/22/ken-angela-paxton-impeach-recuse/Sen. Angela Paxton will have no say in deliberations to convict or acquit impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, but she will sit on the Senate court of impeachment. That means 21, not 20, votes will be needed to convict.James BarragánThu, 22 Jun 2023 18:36:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/22/ken-angela-paxton-impeach-recuse/Ken Paxton takes the oath of office to begin his third term as attorney general from Gov. Greg Abbott, as his wife, state Sen. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, holds the Sam Houston Bible.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton takes the oath of office for the third time from Gov. Greg Abbott, as his wife, state Sen. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, holds the Sam Houston bible.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-rules/Senators, who will sit as a court of impeachment for the suspended attorney general, spent two days drafting rules that were adopted late Wednesday.James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-rules/Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021. Paxton was temporarily suspended from office after the House voted last month to impeach him.State Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, speaks at a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-whistleblowers/Once high-ranking officials in the attorney general’s office, the four were fired after reporting concerns about Paxton’s behavior to law enforcement.James BarragánFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-whistleblowers/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps to the podium to make a statement to the press on May 26, 2023, a day before an impeachment vote in the Texas House.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps to the podium to make a statement to the press on May 26, 2023, a day before a scheduled impeachment vote. Behind him, from left: Tommy Tran, executive assistant; James R. Lloyd, associate deputy attorney general for civil litigation; Austin A. Kinghorn, associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel; Ryan Fisher, director of government relations; Joshua Reno, deputy attorney general for criminal justice; and Suzanna Hupp, special adviser.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-allegations/In 2020, deputies in the attorney general’s office met with FBI agents to accuse their boss of misconduct. Their accusations would form the backbone of articles of impeachment against one of the state’s most powerful officials.James BarragánFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-allegations/Attorney General Ken Paxton attends the inauguration ceremony for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony of Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/14/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-houston/The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling overturns lower-court decisions that had moved the case back to Collin County, where the suspended attorney general lives.James BarragánWed, 14 Jun 2023 09:52:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/14/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-houston/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gives a speech in the Senate chamber during his swearing-in ceremony in January.Opening Day action of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol showing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton giving a speech in the Senate chamber during his swearing-in ceremony.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/nate-paul-arrested-ken-paxton-impeachment/It is not immediately clear what Paul was charged with, but Travis County officials confirmed he was being held in the jail at the request of the FBI. Paxton’s deputies accused Paul of bribing the now-suspended attorney general in 2020.James Barragán, William Melhado and Patrick SvitekThu, 08 Jun 2023 19:22:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/nate-paul-arrested-ken-paxton-impeachment/Nate Paul, the Austin real estate developer central to allegations of illegal conduct by Ken Paxton, Texas’ now-suspended attorney general, was booked into Travis County Jail on Thursday afternoon.Nate Paul is the CEO of World Class, a real estate holding company.World Class websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/06/ken-paxton-impeach-tony-buzbee/The boisterous and outspoken attorney will be matched against two legal icons who will prosecute the attorney general in his upcoming trial before the Texas Senate.Robert Downen and James BarragánTue, 06 Jun 2023 21:39:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/06/ken-paxton-impeach-tony-buzbee/Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks during a press conference at the Travis County Republican Party suite in Austin on June 7, 2023. Dan Cogdell, right, is another prominent Houston-based attorney who specializes in criminal defense and is a member of Paxton’s legal team.Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks during a press conference at the Travis County Republican Party suite in Austin on June 7, 2023.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-defense/The defense team includes the agency’s chief appellate lawyer and head of its general litigation division.James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 30 May 2023 17:47:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-defense/Suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to reporters on May 26, 2023, a day before the Texas House adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023 a day before a scheduled impeachment vote in the Texas House in a long-running ethics complaint.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/ken-paxton-impeach-republican-infighting/As the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and party’s far right came into focus.James BarragánSun, 28 May 2023 19:07:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/ken-paxton-impeach-republican-infighting/From left: State Reps. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, wait as Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at Ken Paxton’s impeachment proceeding on May 27, 2023. Canales and Morales voted for impeachment; Toth and Tinderholt voted against it.From left: State Reps. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Eddie Morales, Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, wait as Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at the back mike as the impeachment proceedings against Ken Paxton are debated on May 27, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/ken-paxton-impeached-texas-attorney-general/The House voted 121-23 to suspend the attorney general and refer him to the Senate for trial on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. It was the first such impeachment since 1975.Zach Despart and James BarragánSat, 27 May 2023 16:48:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/ken-paxton-impeached-texas-attorney-general/Speaker Dade Phelan presided over a contentious four-hour debate over the fate of Attorney General Ken Paxton. But the vote wasn't close.The Texas House voted to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/26/texas-legislature-national-guard-payroll-error/The mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes.James BarragánFri, 26 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/26/texas-legislature-national-guard-payroll-error/Members of the Texas National Guard work 12- to 13-hour shifts guarding the Texas border wall, construction crews and materials near Del Rio on Dec. 8, 2021.Members of the Texas National Guard work 12 to 13 hour shifts guarding the “Texas border wall,” construction crews and materials near Del Rio on Dec. 8, 2021. Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to Del Rio after an increase in migration at the southern border.Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/ken-paxton-20-articles-impeachment/The Texas House will vote on accusations that include bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duty and obstruction of justice.Chuck Lindell and James BarragánThu, 25 May 2023 22:28:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/ken-paxton-20-articles-impeachment/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at his primary election results watch party in McKinney on March 1, 2022.State Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at his primary election results watch party in McKinney on March 1, 2022.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/ken-paxton-impeachment-investigation/The attorney general, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, is accused of a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking. The full House is expected to consider the articles soon.James Barragán, Robert Downen and Zach DespartThu, 25 May 2023 16:23:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/ken-paxton-impeachment-investigation/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to supporters after being reelected in November.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to supporters Paxton Watch Party Barn in Plano after being re-elected on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.Ben Torres for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/ken-paxton-abuse-power-house-investigation-texas/Many allegations against Paxton were already known, but the airing of them revealed the scope of the investigation by the committee, which has the power to recommend censure or impeachment.Zach Despart and James BarragánWed, 24 May 2023 10:19:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/ken-paxton-abuse-power-house-investigation-texas/House Committee on General Investigating Chair Andrew S. Murr, left, and Vice Chair Ann Johnson listen to testimony on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday at the Capitol in Austin.From left: House Committee on General Investigating Chairman Andrew S. Murr and Vice Chair Ann Johnson listen to testimony on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Capitol in Austin on May 24, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-border-unit-bill/The House has already passed the bill, but the two chambers will need to iron out the differences in their versions before it is sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.Jolie McCullough and James BarragánWed, 24 May 2023 02:07:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-border-unit-bill/Migrants carry supplies before crossing the Rio Grande into the U.S. from Ciudad Juárez on May 8.Migrants carry supplies before crossing the Rio Grande River and into the U.S. from Mexico on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Juárez, Chihuahua. Several hundred migrants have been waiting on the U.S. side of the river to be picked up and processed by CBP.Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-senate-priorities/The two chambers have been at odds over property tax relief and school choice, but on Tuesday night, those divisions spilled over into priorities the bodies had previously agreed upon.Eleanor Klibanoff, James Barragán and Jolie McCulloughWed, 24 May 2023 01:28:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-senate-priorities/Representatives vote on the House floor during the legislative session at the state Capitol on April 11.Members of the House vote on the House floor during session at the state Capitol on April 11, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/23/legislature-fractured-democrats-lgbtq/The defections have sparked feelings of betrayal and promises of retribution, particularly as Republicans in the Legislature have presented a unified front.James BarragánTue, 23 May 2023 12:03:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/23/legislature-fractured-democrats-lgbtq/Protesters gather near the entrance to the Texas House on May 12 to oppose Senate Bill 14, which seeks to ban puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth.People cheer and wave rainbow flags while gathered on the stairs across from the House floor to protest against SB 14, which seeks to ban puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth, before it is heard for debate in the House at the state Capitol in Austin on May 12, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune