https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/zach-despart/The latest news by Zach Despart.enFri, 09 Jun 2023 11:46:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/nate-paul-federal-charges/The Austin real estate investor was a central figure in allegations that led the Texas House to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton last month. One of the charges against Paul has ties the impeachment allegations.Zach Despart and Robert DownenFri, 09 Jun 2023 11:46:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/nate-paul-federal-charges/Booking photo for Nate Paul.The United States Federal Courthouse in Austin on June 9, 2023.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/rio-grande-buoys-greg-abbott/The governor revealed plans for a floating river barrier at a Capitol signing ceremony for six new laws related to border security. The first 1,000-foot section will be set up near Eagle Pass.Zach Despart and Patrick SvitekThu, 08 Jun 2023 16:13:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/rio-grande-buoys-greg-abbott/Gov. Greg Abbott used a bill-signing ceremony Thursday at the Capitol to announce that the state will deploy buoys, shown in the photo to his left, to deter migrants from crossing the Rio Grande.Gov. Greg Abbott displays SB 1113, one of six bills he signed during a border security bill signing session at the state capitol in Austin on June 8, 2023. “Washington D.C. has failed to do its job to secure the border,” Abbott said “As a result, Texas has had to take unprecedented steps in responding to the crisis caused by the Biden administration on the border, and in response the Texas legislature has stepped up to make sure that we will be able to more robustly respond.”Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/greg-abbott-special-session-property-taxes/The governor stands behind his support of the Texas House tax plan despite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s insistence that the Senate has a better deal for homeowners.Zach DespartFri, 02 Jun 2023 14:56:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/greg-abbott-special-session-property-taxes/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the Legislature's recently completed regular session at the Texas Public Policy Foundation office in Austin on June 2, 2023.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/31/dan-patrick-greg-abbott-tension/Always happy to castigate the Texas House, Patrick breaks form to criticize the governor as misinformed and unsympathetic toward homeowners.Patrick Svitek and Zach DespartWed, 31 May 2023 18:38:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/31/dan-patrick-greg-abbott-tension/From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/31/john-scott-interim-attorney-general/Scott, a former deputy attorney general, will run the agency because Ken Paxton has been suspended from office until his impeachment trial before the Texas Senate.Zach Despart and Robert DownenWed, 31 May 2023 13:45:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/31/john-scott-interim-attorney-general/Former Texas Secretary of State John Scott at a press conference in 2022. Abbott tapped Scott to serve as interim attorney general while Ken Paxton awaits a Senate trial on his impeachment.Texas Secretary of State John Scott at a press conference held by Gov. Greg Abbott on April 14, 2022.Eddie Gaspar/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/ken-paxton-responds-impeachment/Paxton said House members were showing “contempt for the electoral process” and accused them of sabotaging his work challenging the Biden administration.Patrick Svitek and Zach DespartFri, 26 May 2023 16:23:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/26/ken-paxton-responds-impeachment/At a press conference on Friday, Attorney General Ken Paxton with aides, 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; Suzanna Hupp, special adviser; Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general; Lesley French, chief of staff; George Lane, adviser; Paige Willey, deputy communications director; and Ralph M. Molina, deputy attorney general for legal strategy.At a press conference on May 26, 2023, Attorney General Ken Paxton with aides, from left to right: 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; Suzanna Hupp, special adviser; Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general; Lesley French, chief of staff; George Lane, adviser; Paige Willey, deputy communications director; and Ralph M. Molina, deputy attorney general for legal strategy.Bob Daemmrich 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/2023/05/25/texas-energy-renewables-natural-gas-grid-politics/State lawmakers have pushed bills to support fossil fuel-burning power plants and restrict renewable energy development this legislative session.Emily Foxhall, Kai Elwood-Dieu and Zach DespartThu, 25 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-energy-renewables-natural-gas-grid-politics/Wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Willacy County in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.Lyford, TX - May 17, 2023: Industrial energy-producing wind turbines cover hundreds of acres of farmland in Lyford, TX. (Photo by Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune)Ben Lowy 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/2023/05/16/greg-abbott-governors-border-ron-desantis/Although border encounters have fallen since Title 42 ended Thursday, Texas’ top Republican asks for “all available law enforcement personnel and resources.”Zach DespartTue, 16 May 2023 17:54:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/16/greg-abbott-governors-border-ron-desantis/A migrant family from Peru asks Texas National Guard troops to be let inside a makeshift migrant camp on May 12, 2023, in El Paso. The family was denied entry.A migrant family from Peru ask Texas National Guard Troops to be let inside a makeshift migrant camp to be processed about two hours after Title-42 ended at 9:59 p.m. local time, Friday, May 12, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. The family was denied entry.Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/20/uvalde-shooting-police-ar-15/The gun was also used in the Uvalde shooting, where law enforcement records show police were afraid to confront the gunman because of the weapon’s firepower.Zach DespartSun, 07 May 2023 17:21:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/20/uvalde-shooting-police-ar-15/Assault-style weapons are laid on a table at a gun show in San Marcos on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/texas-legislature-bryan-slaton-investigation/The House General Investigating Committee found that Slaton, a Republican from Royse City, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a subordinate. The Texas Tribune previously reported on an allegation that he had sex with one of his staff, a woman under 21, and gave her alcohol.Zach Despart and Renzo DowneySat, 06 May 2023 10:02:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/texas-legislature-bryan-slaton-investigation/State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, sits at his desk in the House chamber on May 5, 2023.State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royce City, sits at his desk in the House Chamber on May 5, 2023. Slaton is under House investigation for alleged liaisons with a Capitol staffer.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/01/texas-house-investigation-slaton-jones-hearing/Weeks after the committee issued four subpoenas without disclosing what they were for, it moves forward with its investigation into an unnamed lawmaker.Zach DespartMon, 01 May 2023 14:21:14 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/01/texas-house-investigation-slaton-jones-hearing/The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/legislature-create-courts-republican-bills/Supporters say the proposals would increase efficiency and expertise, but opponents argue the attempts are political and probably unconstitutional.Zach DespartWed, 19 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/19/legislature-create-courts-republican-bills/The Texas Supreme Court courtroom in downtown Austin on Jan. 15, 2020.The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/14/texas-house-investigating-committee-bryan-slaton-jolanda-jones/The committee would not say who was being issued the subpoenas or for what purpose.Zach DespartFri, 14 Apr 2023 16:07:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/14/texas-house-investigating-committee-bryan-slaton-jolanda-jones/The state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 9.The state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 9, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/10/bryan-slaton-texas-legislature-ethics-criminal-attorney/The complaint came after an incident in which Slaton and the staffer allegedly met up at his Austin apartment last weekend. A separate staffer told The Texas Tribune that Slaton drank alcohol with an intern under 21 years old.Zach Despart, James Barragán and Patrick SvitekMon, 10 Apr 2023 10:40:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/10/bryan-slaton-texas-legislature-ethics-criminal-attorney/State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, waits to speak from the back podium on the House floor on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, waits to speak from the back podium on the House floor on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/texas-house-budget-vote/After a marathon debate, the bill will head to the Senate, where lawmakers have been crafting their own version of the spending plan.Karen Brooks Harper and Zach DespartThu, 06 Apr 2023 20:58:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/texas-house-budget-vote/State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Dallas, rushes to the front of the House floor during budget discussions at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Dallas, rushes to the front of the House floor during budget discussions at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/texas-house-budget/House Bill 1 is being debated on the floor of the lower chamber, where representatives are hammering out details on the next two years of state spending.Karen Brooks Harper and Zach DespartThu, 06 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/texas-house-budget/Lawmakers gather around House Parliamentarians Sharon Carter and Hugh Brady during budget discussions on the House floor of the state Capitol in Austin on April 6, 2023.Lawmakers gather around House Parliamentarian Sharon Carter during budget discussions on the House floor of the state Capitol in Austin on April 6, 2023. Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-casinos-gambling-legislature-sports-betting/Gaming advocates are pushing to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas. The committee votes represent more progress than the proposals made last legislative session, when they got hearings in committee but were never voted out.Patrick Svitek and Zach DespartMon, 03 Apr 2023 17:18:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-casinos-gambling-legislature-sports-betting/