Taylor Goldenstein
@taygoldenstein
Austin bureau reporter @HoustonChron. 2014 Visiting Fellow @Harvard's @niemanfdn. Formerly @statesman @latimes @ChicagoTribune @TB_Times. Signal: 5122002910
ICYMI: Most Texans don't have access to parental leave. Red states that don't have the political appetite for mandatory programs have turned to a voluntary, insurance-based model. @HoustonChron found that just two insurers signed up to sell policies. houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Important to note there are lots of recreational products <3mg/0.3% on the market, including gummies and beverages, and consumers could get around a limit by taking multiple serves. This could be a way to find agreement w/ Patrick while keeping some low-potency products around.
NEWS: Gov. @GregAbbott_TX tells me he wants to BAN intoxicating consumable THC products in Texas: "The only hemp product that's going to be out there is non-intoxicating hemp, which is below 3 milligrams of THC." Story tk via @impactnews #txlege
As the Texas Legislature convenes in a special session, in part to address flooding after the July 4 Kerr tragedy, we found that they repeatedly underfunded such efforts & did not pass key recommended legislation to help rural communities w/ @LChurchilll propublica.org/article/texas-…
Two years ago, a lawyer in Texas AG Ken Paxton's trafficking unit cut a deal for a man accused of forcing two girls into sex work. The accused got no prison time and didn't have to register as a sex offender. Now, the deal is falling apart. Read why. The latest from…
And we’re out. Till Thursday. Committees probably will be meeting in the meantime #txlege
And we’re off. Special session open with a prayer for the July 4 flood victims and families. #txlege
“Hell no, not on our watch” That’s what State Rep @ronereynolds said just before the special session of the Texas Legislature got underway today. Part of the agenda includes redrawing the states congressional districts to make it harder for Democrats to win in 2026.
That changed this year. Now, Ken Paxton is listing eight properties on his state ethics forms. He didn't say why, but the change came after state regulators clarified made clear trust assets need to be disclosed if the holder has actual knowledge of the property. #txlege
Texas' special legislative session starts today. @isaacyu_ and @JohnnieMo break down the major issues, from a THC ban to flood relief: houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Update in Angela and Ken Paxton divorce case. It looks like the case has been transferred to a new judge, as I reported it would be. This would be at least the third judge on the case. It may have been transferred to a fourth judge, according to the docket, but it's hard to…
NEW: The judge overseeing Texas AG Ken Paxton's divorce case has put it under seal, meaning the public won't be able to access the record. We got all the documents filed before the case was sealed and have published them. See this thread. #txlege
Welcome to the Texas Take Podcast. @JohnnieMo @taygoldenstein @isaacyu_ and I catch you up on the latest from Kerrville, prep yall for the special session, dig into the THC ban possibilities and explore “biblical grounds.” megaphone.link/SFO8612609759
Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski to run again for Texas attorney general (via @benwermund; I’m out today 🌴) houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
The Biden-era rule that would have removed medical debt from credit reports has been vacated by a federal judge in Texas. 1/