U.S. Supreme Court to hear Texas' challenge to Obamacare
The high court is likely to take up the landmark health law for the third time this fall and issue a decision in 2021. Full Story
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Emma Platoff
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Emma Platoff was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering the law and its intersection with politics. A graduate of Yale University, Emma is the former managing editor of the Yale Daily News.
Past Contributions
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This judge refused to toss Rick Perry’s indictment. Now Perry is backing his opponent in Court of Criminal Appeals race.
A PAC with close ties to Perry is backing Gina Parker’s campaign to oust incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary. Full Story
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![Republican Gina Parker is challenging incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary for the Place 3 seat on the state Court of Criminal Appeals.]()
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Speaking statistically, this GOP donor wants to convince you that money buys justice in Texas
After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he wants to change the system. Full Story
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![Salem Abraham in his office on Dec. 19, 2019.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune -
In Democrats’ low-information judicial primaries, gender and ballot names may drive voters’ decisions
Fourteen Democrats are competing for seven seats on the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. How do you win when no one knows your name? Full Story
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![Candidate campaign materials at the Texas Justice Tour event in Cedar Park on Feb. 16, 2020.]()
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Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court
Jerry Zimmerer, an appellate judge in Houston, said his campaign differs from Amy Clark Meachum's because “I actually want the best candidate to win.” Full Story
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![Jerry Zimmerer is a Democratic candidate for chief justice of the state Supreme Court.]()
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Royce West helped flip Dallas County for Democrats in 2006. Could he flip Texas in 2020?
In a crowded Democratic field to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the longtime state senator is betting on his decades of experience as a consensus builder. Full Story
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![State Sen. and Democratic candidate. for U.S. Senate Royce West in the lobby at 919 Congress Ave. on Feb. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas asks U.S. Supreme Court to end California law banning state-funded travel
After Texas passed a law in 2017 allowing foster care agencies to cite sincerely held religious beliefs to deny placements to gay couples, California banned state-funded travel to the Lone Star State. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony of Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won't defend state agency in gay marriage case
The attorney general's office is charged with defending state agencies when they are challenged in court. But Paxton will not defend a commission sued after it issued a public warning for a Waco judge who refuses to perform same-sex marriages. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the convention delegates at the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates have long tried to change judicial selection in Texas. Is Dan Patrick their newest obstacle?
A new commission had barely begun to study Texas' partisan judicial election system when the leader of the Texas Senate signaled skepticism of reform. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Under new Texas law, Planned Parenthood likely to be excluded from state employees' annual charity drive
A legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that facilitating state employees' donations to Planned Parenthood falls under a 2019 state law prohibiting government entities from entering into "taxpayer resource transactions" with abortion providers or their affiliates. Full Story
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![The waiting room at Planned Parenthood of Gulf Coast's ambulatory surgical center in Houston.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune