When 'sexual assault' is revealed to be "just" sexual exploitation, you know Governor Hell on Wheels is having a really bad week.
The head of @TxDPS reports to Gov Abbott that the initial findings of the Texas Rangers show no evidence of sexual abuse at a shelter in Bastrop #txlege pic.twitter.com/Y9AjOO8gST
— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) March 16, 2022
Four employees remain under investigation by Bastrop officials amid allegations they helped girls escape the shelter. The letter says that "there is no evidence that any of the residents at the Refuge shelter have ever been sexually abused or trafficked while at the shelter."
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) March 16, 2022
This story will undoubtedly be updated.
Update:
.@loiskolkhorst asks @TxDPS director Col. Steve McCraw about initial media reports Thurs night that 7 girls were possibly harmed by 9 employee/perps at The Refuge in Bastrop:
— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) March 17, 2022
LK: That part of the story didn't happen?
SM: No ma'am.
Background:https://t.co/FAEVNJKE5Q #txlege 1/2 pic.twitter.com/MP8IzLW4um
More as it develops.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that he has replaced Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris as leader of the Texas Military Department following months of criticism over her handling of Abbott’s controversial border mission. https://t.co/alvDWYgjIo
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) March 14, 2022
“We really don’t understand why we are there,” a service member told the Tribune. “We’re essentially mall security for ranches that already have paid security details to protect them.” https://t.co/1nVN9I8IoW
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) March 16, 2022
Can @GovAbbott remove TX guard from the border & send them to RA Sushi and Greenway Plaza to protect TX citizens from permitless carry? The no background ck/no training thing is a FAIL. #txlege #AbbottFailedTexas @momsdemand https://t.co/vJt2CQzHwt
— jane the hand washer (@moderatemama) March 16, 2022
It's snarky but it isn't funny. I'll take it as a segue to "Cops Behaving Badly".
Crowd clashes with San Antonio police after fatal shooting https://t.co/BdMPefzrCE
— Laredo Morning Times (@lmtnews) March 15, 2022
BREAKING: HPD officer relieved of duty following child porn charges, department confirms#khou11 #HouNews
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) March 15, 2022
https://t.co/zwpUSDeisB
Houston police officers fired for fatal Nicolas Chavez shooting to be reinstated, arbitrator rules https://t.co/2fvrEcX1FX via @houstonchron #hounews
— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) March 14, 2022
Sylvester Turner gave Houston cops a raise just last week in contract negotiations that were kept secret from public scrutiny.
Police contract negotiations are transparent in some cities, with some even allowing public participation.
— Houston Public Media (@HoustonPubMedia) March 15, 2022
But in Houston, which spends about $1 billion on policing, negotiations happen behind closed doors.https://t.co/CAPsn6evJI
And it's not just the cops wearing badges that are the problem.
NEW: After a string of high-profile losses, Harris County DA Kim Ogg is left to battle critics on all sides https://t.co/aecBJLV3xs
— St. John Barned-Smith ⚔️ (@stjbs) March 16, 2022
But county commissioners have decided they're not going to take all the blame from the "tuff on krime" contingent.
Last week, Harris County Commissioners Court took aim at the bail bonding industry saying it was part of the reason for the rise in violent crime. https://t.co/OcSC7NFUuz
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 16, 2022
Last, as Beto (and other people running for statewide office in November who won't get the headlines) declares he will legalize it, a new opportunity for cannabis may be in the offing.
Can #Texas combat the opioid crisis with expanded medical marijuana use? https://t.co/mQRyLsfwaX pic.twitter.com/lHSCvf0and
— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) March 15, 2022
If Abbott's little helpers are going to pass out pill bottles marked as fentanyl, then someone ought to pass them a joint.
Shifting gears to catch up on the latest regarding our elections.
Breaking AP exclusive: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — AP review shows Texas rejected about 13% of mail ballots, nearly 23,000 total, in first election under new voting law. #txlege Our latest: https://t.co/ZMLKYxTEMP
— Acacia C (@acacia_coronado) March 16, 2022
Of the election officials in a new survey who said they were likely to leave their jobs before 2024, the most common reasons why were that too many politicians were attacking "a system that they know is fair and honest," and that the job was too stressful. https://t.co/ZOEuLbaEYW
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) March 12, 2022
JUST IN: Continuing a trend, 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules for Texas in three lawsuits challenging the states voting laws.
— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) March 16, 2022
1/
Follow the thread for links to the rulings. Update: More from TXElects. Kuff also rounded up news reports about mail ballot rejections from the primaries.
Here's a few environmental pieces of note.
The state government needs to create policies for the regulatory framework to make CCUS possible. When this happens, Texas can lead the world and show how to create and use hydrogen for affordable, dependable, and sustaining energy. Read & RT: https://t.co/EZAiBq0nnr #txlege
— Carbon Neutral Coalition (@CarbonNeutral_) March 15, 2022
Went to Houston last week to try to understand how the oil & gas industry is navigating this moment.
— Kate Aronoff (@KateAronoff) March 14, 2022
Here's my stab at a comprehensive write-up of what I found: vengeful companies using war to insulate themselves against existential transition risk https://t.co/xmxFW6MOfi
After #txlege inaction, we have another chance to get this done! Tell @TCEQ you support the petition for a new rule preventing wastewater from being dumped into our cleanest and clearest streams and rivers: https://t.co/SmvFZW3G4t pic.twitter.com/CvFmAuMSFt
— Texas Sierra Club (@TexasSierraClub) March 15, 2022
Well, isn't that cute? Halliburton has solar panels on its silos for fracking sand. There is now an actual frickin' sand shortage because all the oil companies cannot frack fast enough to gouge consumers. pic.twitter.com/Q5ghqxDUBw
— Etaoin Shrdlu (@Shrdlu) March 13, 2022
And the Texas Living Waters Project urged lawmakers to seize the opportunity to transform the state’s fragile water infrastructure.
Here's some social justice items.
Texas is studying its chronic teacher shortages, but experts already have a solution: Pay them more https://t.co/4gQvIxnyCz
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 14, 2022
NEWS: ‘This is the beginning’: President Smatresk meets with protestors, denounces YCT
— North Texas Daily (@ntdaily) March 11, 2022
📝 @starshipalex
📸 Jaqueline Martinezhttps://t.co/kxJlN5eMkE
Was honored to be chosen to do the audiobook reading if this significant, meaningful book by the great Jim Schutze…listen and learn how and things got to be this way in Dallas and why they’re still that way https://t.co/s2WrJBAIbT
— Mike Rhyner (@theoldgreywolf) March 17, 2022
"In total, our team discovered disciplinary actions taken against physicians licensed in Texas spread out over 30 different states — with no record on the TMB website." @KXAN_News @MattGrantKXAN @hueyjayd #patientsafety #txlegehttps://t.co/HcJoWW5pVU
— Texas Watch (@TexasWatch) March 16, 2022
“The city is denying reality.” Houston officials refuse to answer questions by @Dexinvestigates about shoddy property surveys that are creating a huge legal mess for First Ward residents:https://t.co/vPopZcgxb8 #hounews
— John Tedesco (@John_Tedesco) March 13, 2022
Some news of the weird and trivial:
Texas Monthly reports on the booming swinger club action. The Dallas Observer defends Peggy Hill, as a person and as a parent.
And last ...
The Austin Chronicle eulogized Sister Bobbie Nelson.
Ok y'all I have tried my hand at film criticism.
— Gus Bova (@gusbova) March 14, 2022
Genuinely recommend this documentary: https://t.co/4Wx106rVNo #sxsw
3/12/64 The Astrodome passes a crucial test as the removal of towers that supported the steel dome is complete, proving the structure could stand on its own. On hand were Colt .45s personnel, Harris County officials, Warren Giles (NL president), and astronaut Alan Shepard. pic.twitter.com/v6X4b9JRTo
— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) March 13, 2022
Maerki's Bakery on Congress Avenue in Austin, 1890s. The building still stands. This is what it looks like today:https://t.co/Z56kh9iGi5
— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) March 12, 2022
Pretty cool! pic.twitter.com/yXpuyWvKVg
