Past Contributions

• House and Senate committees advance GOP bail legislation, as Democrats warn bills could lead to mass detentions

  By Jolie McCullough July 10, 2021

  Legislators in the House and Senate filed matching bills to change state bail practices earlier this week, echoing legislation that failed to pass in the regular session. On Saturday, committees in both chambers approved the bills. Full Story 

• Almost 150 guards are staffing an empty Texas prison as state officials work on Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to use it for immigrants

  By Jolie McCullough July 8, 2021

  While many Texas prisons are understaffed, some dangerously so, the emptied-out Briscoe Unit in Dilley is in "maintenance mode" as officials scramble to implement the governor's plan to increase the state's role in border enforcement. Full Story 

• Texas executes John Hummel for murdering his family in 2009

  By Jolie McCullough Updated: June 30, 2021

  A civil liberties group had tried to delay Hummel's death after reporters were excluded from the state’s last execution. Full Story 

• Dozens who died in Texas prisons during the pandemic had been granted parole, new report shows

  By Jolie McCullough June 17, 2021

  At any given time, thousands of Texas prisoners have been approved for parole but not yet released. At least 42 of those people died in the 12 months after the coronavirus first swept the state. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott has lifted almost all Texas pandemic restrictions. But not the one limiting jail releases.

  By Jolie McCullough June 10, 2021

  As he was fighting for the Legislature to change state bail laws, the governor continued his emergency order to restrict no-cost jail releases during the pandemic. At least several Texas courts have deemed the order unconstitutional. Full Story 

• GOP priority bail bill dies in Texas House after Democrats walk out on voting bill

  By Jolie McCullough Updated: May 31, 2021

  House Bill 20 would have made it harder for arrestees to get out of jail without cash and limited charitable bail funds’ ability to post bond for people. Gov. Greg Abbott said bail legislation will be included in a special session. Full Story 

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he won’t doom police regulating agency to force a special session

  By Jolie McCullough Updated: May 27, 2021

  The leader of the Senate gave himself leverage to force a special legislative session when he neglected to pass a bill to extend the life of the regulating agency for Texas law enforcement. But after blowback from the governor, Patrick said “we’re not holding anything hostage.” Full Story 

• A year after George Floyd’s murder, only a few of Texas lawmakers’ police reform measures appear likely to become law

  By Jolie McCullough Updated: May 25, 2021

  Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday. Full Story 

• Texas Legislature moves on two fronts to prevent state’s largest cities and counties from cutting law enforcement budgets

  By Jolie McCullough Updated: May 25, 2021

  The Senate measure would require major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets. The House bill would financially punish the state’s larger cities if they cut police funds. Full Story 

• Day after Texas House demands action, Senate committee moves on a few criminal justice reform measures

  By Jolie McCullough May 21, 2021

  Among the bills approved by the Senate Jurisprudence Committee is one that would require police officers to keep their body cameras activated during investigations. Full Story