- Texas legislative committee to investigate cause of Panhandle wildfires (Texas Tribune, 3/12/2024)
- Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has initiated a legislative committee to investigate the Texas Panhandle wildfires for future disaster preparedness. The committee, comprising three lawmakers and two residents, will explore the causes of the wildfires, resource allocation, and the effectiveness of wildfire disaster preparedness. Recent investigations pointed to power lines as the cause of the Smokehouse Creek fire, leading to lawsuits against utility company Xcel Energy, with extensive damage to homes, livestock, and crops in the region.
- Public blasts Texas agencies, regulators for poor communication, oversight at wildfire hearings (Yahoo News, 4/4/2024)
- The Texas legislative committee investigating the Panhandle wildfires criticized state agencies and regulators for poor communication and oversight during the public hearings. The hearings exposed a lack of trust between Panhandle residents and state entities, with concerns raised about utility companies’ responsibilities and inspection practices. Landowners, volunteer firefighters, and officials from state agencies testified, highlighting frustrations over past incidents and the need for potential legal changes following the wildfires.
- Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time (Texas Tribune, 12/17/2024)
- A bipartisan Texas House committee has issued a new subpoena requiring death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify in person about his 2003 capital murder conviction, which some legislators believe was based on discredited “junk science.” The committee’s previous efforts were reportedly stalled by Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, leading to this renewed attempt to hear Roberson’s testimony before the committee disbands next year. Roberson’s execution, initially scheduled for October 17, was delayed, and a new date has not been set. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that while a legislative subpoena cannot block an execution, it can be issued as long as it doesn’t interfere with a scheduled execution.
- Texas should close prisons and jails with staffing challenges, state oversight panel says (Texas Public Radio, 1/16/2025)
- The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, a state oversight panel, has recommended closing prisons and jails with severe staffing shortages to address operational inefficiencies and safety concerns. The panel’s report highlighted that understaffed facilities strain state resources and negatively impact staff and inmate safety. The recommendations will be considered by the Texas Legislature during its next session.
